Companies are starting to realize they have overlooked an untapped source of help for emergency projects: the stay at home mother.

Educated and professional women who have opted out of high profile careers are being broached by businesses through flexible staffing networks (like Momcorps or Flexibleexecutives) to take on temporary or emergency projects, some of which can be done at home.

The company gets workers who know what they are doing and are willing to do it for a fraction of the going rate, and the women keep their career skills sharp, get a taste of something besides the daily grind of home responsibilities, and some even use the temporary employment as a stepping stone to re-enter the workforce.

While it is fantastic that opportunities beside selling overpriced candles or makeup exist for SAHMs, it is a little disturbing that these jobs are offering rock bottom hourly wages and former executives are snatching them up. Is it a sign of hard economic times or because SAHMs get so accustomed to being overlooked that they'll accept anything?