Lana Ng, a 35-year-old mother of two in Houston, left her marketing coordinator role in 2023 after her employer revoked a work-from-home arrangement. The decision came just before her maternity leave ended, forcing her to resign and become a stay-at-home parent.
This year, Ng began experimenting with four side gigs to chip away at the family's debt. She said the work has helped her feel "more sane, not lose herself in motherhood, and recover her spark." The essay, told to Business Insider, was edited for length and clarity.
Ng previously earned about $70,000 a year in her hybrid marketing job at a local hospital. She had enjoyed the role until she became pregnant with her son, after months of trying to conceive. The sudden loss of flexibility led to her resignation.
The side gigs provide both financial relief and personal fulfillment, Ng explained. She did not specify the type of work or how much income the ventures generate, but emphasized their role in maintaining her sense of self.
"I didn't really think about what would happen once he was born," Ng said, reflecting on her return-to-work dilemma. Her story highlights the trade-offs many parents face when workplace flexibility disappears.