10 Great Ideas for Moms Who Want to Work at Home

3. Arts and Crafts

Creative women with a knack for crafts can turn their hobbies into cash. Debra P. creates personalized baby, wedding and other special occasion gifts through her home business Deb's Sew Special Gifts. "Having my own business has given me something that I can call mine," says Debra. "I call all the shots and I don't have to check with anyone when I want to do something with my son Koby." While she says she doesn't expect to get rich with her sewing gig, she does like the feeling of bringing in some extra cash for her family.

4. Consultant

Karol K., a mother of three, parlayed her legal expertise into a home-based consulting job with her law firm. Karol first proposed a work-from-home arrangement to her firm while pregnant with twins. She has been on her law firm's payroll as a consultant on an as-needed (by the firm) and as-desired (by her) basis for more than three years. This type of arrangement works best when you've been a long-time employee of a company and they know your work ethic.

5. Accounting

If you're good with numbers, an accounting and bookkeeping business is a good option. A background and/or courses in accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation and payroll services can serve as your foundation. "You ought to be able to balance your own checkbook," says Brigitte T. who runs a home-based accounting firm. During year-end and tax season crunch times, the mother of three puts in close to 18 hours a day, but says a benefit of being self-employed is its flexibility. "You set the work hours that work for you," she says.

6. Notary Public/Signing Agent

As a notary public, Alyice E. can pick and choose when she works. Notaries witness the signing of documents, such as wills, and place a seal on them. Rules for becoming a notary public and the pay associated with this work vary from state to state. California requires a formal test and allows notaries to charge $10 per act; while other states simply require the signature of your state assemblyman, but then allow you to charge a mere $0.10 per act. To make money, Alyice advises becoming a mobile notary and/or signing agent. "As a mobile notary, you are allowed to charge for the convenience of driving to locations provided you tell them the fee up front," says Alyice whose website features articles and an e-book about the subject. "Signing agents work with real estate documents only, and you can charge companies a flat fee of $50 to drive to their clients, witness their signing of loan documents and complete any notarial acts needed."