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SLP, OT or PT.
Getting the degree is a bit grueling, but you can work part time for 50$-100$+ an hour and work at schools and have the same hours as the kiddos.

Heh, sorry to break it to ya, but being a doula is not particularly family time-friendly. And it doesn't pay particularly well either. The field has a very high burn-out rate. But if you have the passion, go for it!

I would say something within the school system would be ideal.

@yellowbird: excellent point! My mom was an aide from the time I was in 7th grade through current. It is great because she worked during the school day and had off every holiday, weekend, after school, summer, etc. It isn't great pay, but its something extra and her benefits were pretty good. Also you don't need any degrees or anything, my mom just has a high school degree.

Do you have any skills or talents? I took piano lessons from a woman who worked out of her home. I took small group Spanish classes from a woman who worked at the Community Center.

When DH and I got married I was a STNA, State Tested Nurses Aid. If anyone knows the worm a nurse aid does then they know that you can't very well be expecting and doing the work load. I probably wouldn't be able to work after a few months through the pregnancy. So when DH and I decided to TTC we needed a plan. I knew I just couldn't work and have the second income just stop.

I've started an in home daycare! I make my own hours, I'm my own boss, I never have to leave the house, and I'm maKing more than what I was at the nursing home. Its amazing! The most amazing part is that when we do have LO I'll always be home. It is the best decision I've made.

Granted this took some time to gain my clientele. It definitely depends on whether or not you have the room for it also.

My engineering job is family friendly and I have a few friends who only work part time! And many work from home. The downside is a lot more schooling than you probably want (and debt). Nursing can be good-part time or three days a week, and I ditto anything in the school system. My mom was a teachers aide and only needed 20 hours of college credits (which she got at night) and was off every summer.

As far as after school stuff go, as long as you're off by 3, you should be good.

@MrsMccarthy: in my field - that's a negative on customer service. Also, a lot of companies have their cs reps work odd hours - as they are open 24 hours a day.

I wouldn't recommend real estate. I don't think it is very family friendly unless you work in an office and are not an agent. I work for a realtor and she works all the time. She answers phone calls 24/7 and shows homes nights and weekends. She has to work around her client's schedules. If she kept normal business hours she would have less clients and make less money. Also it costs to become an agent. I estimate it is around 3k to start up.

I second @Leialou: real estate or really anthing in sales can be really time consuming. Think realtors are working evenings, weekends and all the time you want to spend with your family.

DH is in insurance sales and while it's a great job and he's excellent at what he does, sometimes it means staying late, going in early or on weekends etc. Anything that is comission based you get out what you put in for time and effort and can be demanding.

@MrsMccarthy: check the job openings page of your local school system. in my area they list professional openings (teachers, principals, etc) and paraprofessional openings (secretaries, aides, etc) and usually it tells you what qualifications are needed. the pay might not be fantastic but the hours & time off your kids would be nice!

I wouldn't say nursing is particularly family friendly. We work weekends and holidays frequently. The days off during the week are nice, but I don't see much of my kids on work days as I don't get home until 7:30 or 8 pm, and I leave the house before they wake up.

I was just going to say dental hygienist but Mrs Spoon beat me to it! My old roommate quit her corporate job and did a 2 year degree to become a dental hygienist because she thought it would be a lot more flexible with kids. She says she works part time and most of the hours are early morning and afternoon.

I'm not sure what kind of training is required but what about medical insurance coding or billing? I think the billing person that my chiro uses works from home. There is also receptionist or office manager type jobs but those can really vary on the hours required and how much you make.

@MrsMccarthy: I think the grade school suggestions are excellent. My mom started working at my elementary school as a noontime supervisor when I was young to be near me. (Sucked then,but I appreciate it now.) she then became an aide and ultimately principal's secretary. She has an AA. She's now retired and collects a nice little retirement from the school district. She loved her jobs!!

I also think court reporters might be good. A lot of court reporters I use are moms and I often end depositions early so they can leave to get their kids.

@Greentea: but if one parent works wed - sun and the other works regular hours, they won't have a weekend together.

SIL is a dental hygienist and she only works Mon-Thur. She makes great money, and never has to bring her work home. She also has off all major holidays. You do need a 2 year degree though.

I agree with jedeve that a lot of it depends on the employer. I'm an instructional designer (I create and teach corporate training courses). The place where I work is very flexible - I work from home 1 day a week and can do more days when needed - and offers lots of PTO and great benefits. I don't have kids yet, but it's a great place for all my coworkers who do have families.