Side Hustles and Sidekicks: Creative Ways to Get Your Kids Involved While You Work!

Hey there, incredible stay-at-home parents! Are you trying to juggle your side hustle while also keeping your little bundles of energy entertained? If you’ve ever attempted to balance Zoom meetings while playing referee between toddlers and snacks, you’re not alone! Let’s be real—your kids can bring joyful chaos to your workspace, and sometimes all we need is a little creativity (and maybe a dash of humor) to turn that chaos into collaboration. Even though we are infusing the work with fun, we can instill a strong work ethic that will carry through into adulthood.

So buckle up your apron (the one with the superhero cape) and let’s dive into some hilarious yet effective ways to get your kids involved in your side hustle without turning your home into a scene from a sitcom! Although on the plus side, you'd never run out of content!

1. The Assistant-in-Training Role

Every entrepreneur needs an assistant, and who better than your mini-me? Set up a “job description” with hilarious tasks that’ll help you and your kids bond. For example, “Snack Quality Control Inspector” or “Creative Cheerleader for Mom/Dad.” Pay them with an exorbitant salary of hugs, high-fives, and a generous supply of gummy bears. Suddenly, your side hustle involves meetings filled with laughter, small talk, and an occasional “Can I have a cookie?” that is easily negotiated. Getting your littles involved, even in a small capacity, can have big results. You are laying the foundation for how they can either view work as fun or soul-sucking. You are instilling in them the ability to find fun even in the mundane.

2. Crafting the Ultimate Marketing Team

Are you trying to promote your side hustle online? Why not enlist your kids’ help in creating social media graphics? Give them some colorful markers, glitter (because what kid doesn’t love glitter?), and ask them to design your next promo poster. The result? A masterpiece that screams “artistic genius” (we’ll call it abstract), and you get to crank out your next social media post while basking in the creative chaos. Just be sure to keep your phone handy—they might create the next viral sensation or, at the very least, something you can chuckle at! For the older ones, you may just spark an interest in graphic design that can be applied to so many different outlets in this age of technology.

3. Product Development with Kiddo Input

Do you provide a service or create a product? Turn to your kids for some fresh, unfiltered feedback. Have a “think tank” session where your kids can offer their suggestions on new ideas. They might pitch the concept of “chocolate-flavored vegetables” or “toy-filled cupcakes” (hey, who wouldn’t want that?). While you might want to kindly steer them toward more marketable choices, it’s a fantastic way to bond while exploring new directions for your hustle and expand their creative little minds to think "beyond the box." Have them create a prototype and get their creative and imaginative juices flowing, kinda like the apple juice cup that just spilled on the counter.

4. Storytime Brainstorming

Gather the kids, and instead of your typical fairytale, ask them to help you come up with wacky stories related to your hustle. Each child can take turns narrating their own comical adventures tied to your work. It might start with, “Once upon a time, in a world of endless laundry, there lived a parent with an extraordinary side hustle…” Chaotic? Yes! Funny? Absolutely! You might even discover that kids can provide the best inspiration in the most unexpected ways. You may even learn that your kids view a mundane task as your greatest superpower (like she is the best PB&J maker on the planet)! Let your kids inspire your greatness. After all, most kids believe that their parents are superheroes!

5. “Mommy/Daddy Needs” Board

Create a “Mommy/Daddy Needs” board—a spot on the wall where your kids can “apply” to help you with various tasks. It can include everything from “Snack Fetcher” to “Lightbulb Changer” (ideal for when career aspirations extend beyond screen time). You’d be surprised how excited kids get about using clipboards and colored pens to check off their tasks like the professionals they think you are! Using the board method drives motivation, sets the foundation for task delegation, and bonus checking tasks off a list is oh, so satisfying.

6. Educational Playdates with a Purpose

Want the kids out of your hair—and not just to the nearest screen? Host a scheduled “playdate” that’s secretly centered around your work. Team them up with some neighborhood friends for crafts or games that align with your business theme. Need some branding ideas? Have them make friendship bracelets with your logo colors! Have them create a backdrop and "direct" your next reel. You get quiet time to focus, and they get to play with their friends (and potentially earn some fridge art or future content to boot).

7. The Family Feedback Loop

At the end of the week, have a family meeting where you share your wins and challenges. It’s like a board meeting but way more fun (and with questionable snacking choices). Encourage the kids to share their thoughts on what Mommy or Daddy does and how they could help more. This fosters a sense of teamwork and gives you a chance to show your kiddos how hard work pays off! Be prepared to schedule in some extra fun time too! Remember, we are building businesses to spend more time with our families. If all we are doing is working or revolving around our side hustle, it defeats the purpose.

In Conclusion (And Maybe Out of Snacks)

As a stay-at-home parent, blending your side hustle with family time doesn’t have to be a circus—you’ve already got the juggling act down! By introducing your kids to your work creatively, you’ll nurture their imaginations while also cultivating a fantastic family atmosphere. And let’s not forget the benefits of laughter—it’s the best motivation booster there is!

So embrace the chaos, inject some fun into your hustle, and remember: every great parent entrepreneur was once an aspiring Martha Stewart who had to trade recipes for work plans. Now, go forth, and may your crafts be colorful, and your side hustle soar higher than your toddler’s latest sugar high!

Stay fabulous, fellow hustlers!

Jessica Murphy

Your Side Hustle Coach and Stay-at-Home Parent Advocate