“I just can’t find any job that’s worth it,” my fellow former teacher friend sighed, as she recounted her stop-and-go experiences with numerous dead ends.
For former teachers that took time off the job to become parents, it can be tough to earn a little extra income while parenting.
Because teaching in our country’s school systems at the moment can’t easily be reduced to part-time (you either are a teacher or not), it can leave a lot of us moms with young children out of good options for earning a little on the side while raising kids.
But there is a humble option I ask you to consider:
Substitute teaching.
Don’t sleep on this opportunity. Here’s why:
Reason to Substitute Teach as a Mom #1: Flexible Scheduling
You can barely find another more flexible option if you tried.
With substitute teaching, I don’t have to answer to anyone about when I work and when I don’t.
Of course, this varies by school and district, but ideally, you get registered to sub in a big school district that has a computerized system for job alerts.
You log onto the site or app, sign up for the substitute assignments you want and avoid the ones you don’t.
My District does require substitutes work at least 10 school days in a year to retain their sub status, but I always make sure I meet this. Otherwise, I can go weeks or even months without accepting an assignment, and I don’t even have to give a reason.
We decide to travel? Cool. I don’t have to tell my school district any of my plans.
My baby develops a cough and runny nose? I don’t have to take on jobs that week.
Substitute teaching in this way is really the most flexible scheduling option you could dream up. And with little ones at home that need caring for, I think we can all agree: We need flexible.
Flexibility is the main thrust of my argument in another article, Why Subbing is Great for the Family-Building Phase.
If you want to earn a little extra cash and a job that fits in with your life, and not the other way around, I highly recommend substitute teaching.
Reason to Substitute Teach as a Mom #2: It’s Easy to Start
Substitute teaching, fortunately and unfortunately, bears little requirements for getting started.
If you were a teacher previously, the process can be even easier.
Depending on the district you’re looking to work for, becoming a substitute teacher can be as simple as going through background checks and attending an orientation.
Don’t downplay ease of starting in your decision-making. Think about it: How much of your precious time is evaporated during online job searches, filling out applications, sending out resumes and cover letters, etc.?
How much time is wasted on learning a new field or onboarding a new job, only to find out the position is a terrible fit for you at this time?
I’ve had former teacher friends chase down new opportunities only to quit right away when they learn the job is horribly suited to raising babies at home.
Most jobs don’t assume you’re also trying to juggle a robust home and family life.
Most jobs don’t think you’re cramming the remote work in a very short window that is nap time (that is, if you little one naps successfully each day).
Substitute teaching? All it asks of you is to be there when you say you’ll be.
Reason to Substitute Teach as a Mom #3: It’s a Simple Job
Substitute teaching is also great because there is virtually no prep work that needs to happen.
You show up to a job assignment and implement the lesson plans left.
As a former teacher who spent countless extra hours on planning, can I emphasize what a little paradise this is? Just walking into the school at normal hours and leaving again when the bell rings?
A vastly different scenario from full-time teaching.
But other jobs, too, demand extra time that you don’t have as a busy mom.
So, if the job is simple, is substitute teaching stress-free?
Absolutely not.
I’ve had jobs that added years to my life. When I left that school in the dust, I was an old woman.
It’s true that as a substitute, you never really know what to expect, unless you’re returning to a familiar classroom. This can lead to some random and stress-inducing moments.
But there are ways to reduce the liklihood of these catastrophes. Believe me, as an already maxed-out mom, I’ve HONED my ability to hedge myself from subbing stress. I just have to stack all possible decks in my favor. If you’re interested in finding out how to do this, read my reducing stress in substitute teaching article.
The Drawbacks of Substitute Teaching as a Mom
Though there are serious upsides to the gig, I have to honestly lay out the drawbacks of substitute teaching.
As a mom, you’re probably stretched thin as it is, and want to know all the angles before jumping in.
Though substitute teaching is extremely flexible in scheduling and simple to get started and maintain, it can be stressful. I’ve documented some of my worst substitute teaching days here on the blog, and believe me, those experiences weren’t pretty.
Another thing to consider is the unfortunate reality that substitute teaching is not full-time teaching, so it’s typically not regarded with the same respect or prestige. This can be a pretty devastating blow if you’ve been a certified, degreed, experienced educator for years.
All of the sudden, you show up in your sub badge, and staff and students seem to take that to mean you’re some random Joe off the street.
It can be humbling, even humiliating. I find that some staff and students are extremely kind and respectful, but other times the respect is just not there– all because of the title.
Lastly– related to the humble position of substitute teacher– the pay doesn’t tend to be enticing.
Substitute teacher pay is typically fractions of regular teacher pay and without the salary package benefits.
Health insurance? 401K contributions?
You’re on your own for all that.
Should You Substitute Teach as a Side Job While Raising Kids?
I’ve laid out all of the cards of this gig— the good, the bad and the ugly.
Though substitute teaching can be stressful, low-prestige and low-paying, I still consider it a worthwhile side job while my main focus is my work at home with my young children.
At this time in my life, I need something extremely flexible and simple. Substitute teaching allows me to earn extra money for my family while checking those boxes.
Do you agree? Do you have other good side job ideas for moms to share? Let me know in the comments!
If you’re interested in more details on substitute teaching, I have tons of articles on this site just for you. Enjoy exploring!
