You are probably one of the numerous Kenyan women who can’t seem to find meaningful employment and have no choice but to stay at home with the kids. In the same breath, you may be a crop of the career women who choose to leave their jobs to be actively involved in their children’s daily lives. Regardless of the underlying reason, being a stay-at-home mom is a full-time job that requires a lot of commitment and time.
While being a homemaker is a demanding job, the tough economic times in Kenya require one to have a stable source of income. As such, this article will highlight some of the suitable jobs for stay-at-home moms in Kenya. Since the targeted audience is Kenyan women from different social classes, the list will include options that require minimal capital or qualifications.
Tips for Working Stay-at-Home Mums
Create a Routine for Yourself and the Kids
Having a practical schedule that works for the entire family will give you peace of mind and help in creating the needed balance between work and homemaking. Depending on your kids’ age, ensure that they eat and sleep at a specific time. It is also important to engage them in different games in addition to including reading time in their program. Subsequently, you will be able to decide on your working schedule.
Set Ground Rules
The key to being a sane working stay-at-home mom is to operate in an environment with no chaos. To do so, ensure that you, as well as those around you, realize that there is proper timing for everything. For instance, when you about to talk on the phone with a client, the children should know that they are not allowed to interrupt you. As for you, the ground rule is that you are not permitted to be working when it’s time to bond with your family.
Take Scheduled Breaks
Being a stay-at-home mom can drain your energy. Combine this role with building a career and might just lose it. To create a healthy balance between work, taking care of your family, and self-care, ensure that you incorporate breaks into your daily program. Depending on the nature of your work and your interests, you can take evening walks, go to the gym, take a nap, or just relax outdoors.
Have a Designated Working Space
It is easy to get distracted when there are kids involved. For enhanced productivity, create a home office space. Based on the set ground rules, limit the movement of your kids and other people into this room. In the case of an online store, ensure that your store the stock in an area where children cannot tamper with.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help
Working and taking care of kids are two demanding tasks. As such, it is okay to ask for help. For instance, when you’re out to deliver products or restock your online store, seek the services of a babysitter. Additionally, request your older kids or the adults in the house to help out with some chores.
Jobs for Stay-at-home Moms in Kenya
Freelance Writing
You probably have skills that you attained as a college student or during your prior phase as a career woman. Alternatively, there are skills that one can learn online. Whatever the case, you can monetize these abilities while still taking care of your kids. Finance and accountancy, information technology (IT), and computer programming are among the areas where you can build your career as a freelance writer in Kenya. All you need is a computer and steady Internet connection. Upwork and Fiverr are some of the reliable sites for freelance writing jobs.
Another viable option for stay-at-home moms who wish to venture into freelance writing is academic writing. Indeed, it has become a popular occupation among Kenyans. You can choose to apply for an account on sites such as Uvocorp or Edusson. Alternatively, you can buy an account from a broker or work for an existing academic freelance writer. However, it is important to note that the two latter options are at your own risk as the freelance writing companies do not approve of them.
Transcription
Transcription has become a popular source of income for Kenyans; especially the youth. The venture is one of the apt options for stay-at-home moms in Kenya. depending on your schedule as a homemaker, you can choose jobs with a relatively long deadline. Besides, as opposed to the stringent 8-5 jobs, transcription jobs are available at night and during the day. As such, you can create a program that helps you balance between your household duties and occupational activities.
Rev and TranscribeMe are some of the top transcription sites that a stay-at-home mom in Kenya should consider. You can acquire a transcription account by applying for one, purchasing from a broker, or working for another transcriber. While the latter two options are popular in Kenya, they are usually done without the knowledge of the company as they are not permitted.
Selling Clothes Online
With the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of Kenyans have embraced online shopping. It is now possible to sell or buy anything from the comfort of your home. In addition to goods such as foodstuff, electronics, and household items, most Kenyans are now purchasing clothes from online stores. As a stay-at-home mom in Kenya, this is one of the feasible sources of income.
You can choose to sell new clothes or go for second-hand clothes (mitumba). For the latter option, Toi market and Gikomba are your best sources for your stock. Be sure to arrive in these open-air markets early in the morning so as to get a variety of clothes at an affordable price. As for the new clothes, you can buy them from Eastleigh or import them from China/Turkey. As for deliveries, you can rely on a bodaboda operator so you can comfortable execute your duties as a homemaker. Indeed, this is one of the convenient business ventures for a stay-at-home mom in Kenya.
Selling Foodstuffs
As a stay-at-home mom, you probably spend a considerable portion of your day in the kitchen. Why not turn it into a business hub? Prepare delicious meals and sell them at an affordable rate to your friends, family members, neighbors, and other Kenyans. Bachelors, individuals with a hectic working schedule, or those hosting visitors are some of the people that you should target as your clients.
Indeed, there are several individuals who have succeeded in this venture. You might have seen some of them deliver packed meals in salons, barbershops, and other businesses in Nairobi or other towns. As a stay-at-home mom in Kenya, you can use the services of a bodaboda delivery guy or hire someone to babysit your kids for the few hours that you will be away delivering the orders. With such a plan, you will be in a position to take care of your kids and home while still earning a decent income. With time, you can decide to be a social media influencer by posting recipes on Instagram or YouTube.
Social Media Influencing
Over the past decade, social media has become just as influential – if not more – as conventional mass media outlets. In addition to being an efficient means of communicating with friends and family, it has developed into an enormous commercial hub. As a stay-at-home mum in Kenya, there are endless business opportunities in the digital space.
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are some of the social media platforms that you can use to earn a decent living. Depending on your interests and your targeted audience, consider creating content on lifestyle, interior décor, organization of spaces, cooking, parenthood, health and fitness, or other relatable genres.
For instance, if you are passionate about home décor, you can post YouTube videos and images on Instagram on how you’ve decorated different spaces in your house. Before you know it, you will start getting clients requesting for your interior design services. With consistency and creativity, you will increase your income through sponsored content and selling of merchandize. Indeed, it is one of the jobs that you can engage in while still finding time to be a homemaker. The Green Calabash is an example of a Kenyan stay-at-home mom who has grown into a successful social media influencer by vlogging about her family’s lifestyle.
Conclusion
Being a stay-at-home mom is a demanding task. However, with the tough economic times, it is important to engage in an income-generating activity. As such, there are certain jobs that are ideal for stay-at-home moms in Kenya. To succeed in your professional and homemaking duties, ensure that you create a healthy balance.
