Here's the tea, mom life is not for the weak. But what's really wild? Working to earn extra income while managing children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I started my side hustle journey about a few years back when I had the epiphany that my impulse buys were way too frequent. I needed some independent income.
Being a VA
Okay so, my first gig was jumping into virtual assistance. And real talk? It was ideal. I was able to hustle while the kids slept, and literally all it took was my laptop and decent wifi.
Initially I was doing simple tasks like email management, doing social media scheduling, and entering data. Super simple stuff. I started at about $20/hour, which seemed low but as a total beginner, you gotta build up your portfolio.
What cracked me up? Picture this: me on a client call looking all professional from the chest up—blazer, makeup, the works—while wearing pajama bottoms. Main character energy.
Selling on Etsy
Once I got comfortable, I ventured into the whole Etsy thing. All my mom friends seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I figured "why not get in on this?"
My shop focused on designing printable planners and digital art prints. What's great about digital products? Design it once, and it can generate passive income forever. For real, I've gotten orders at 3am while I was sleeping.
When I got my first order? I actually yelled. My husband thought something was wrong. But no—I was just, celebrating my $4.99 sale. Judge me if you want.
Blogging and Creating
Then I started blogging and content creation. This venture is playing the long game, let me tell you.
I started a parenting blog where I wrote about the chaos of parenting—everything unfiltered. Keeping it real. Simply real talk about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Building up views was painfully slow. Initially, I was essentially writing for myself and like three people. But I didn't give up, and slowly but surely, things took off.
Currently? I earn income through promoting products, brand partnerships, and advertisements on my site. Recently I earned over two thousand dollars from my website. Crazy, right?
Managing Social Media
As I mastered my own content, brands started inquiring if I could manage their accounts.
Here's the thing? Many companies are terrible with social media. They recognize they should be posting, but they don't have time.
That's where I come in. I handle social media for a handful of clients—various small businesses. I plan their content, schedule posts, engage with followers, and track analytics.
My rate is between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per client, depending on the scope of work. Best part? I can do most of it from my phone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If writing is your thing, content writing is seriously profitable. Not like becoming Shakespeare—I'm talking about content writing for businesses.
Websites and businesses constantly need fresh content. I've written everything from dental hygiene to copyright. Being an expert isn't required, you just need to know how to find information.
Usually charge between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on how complex it is. On good months I'll create ten to fifteen pieces and bring in a couple thousand dollars.
The funny thing is: Back in school I barely passed English class. And now I'm earning a living writing. Life is weird.
Virtual Tutoring
2020 changed everything, online tutoring exploded. I used to be a teacher, so this was an obvious choice.
I signed up with several tutoring platforms. The scheduling is flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have unpredictable little ones.
I mostly tutor elementary school stuff. The pay ranges from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on which site you use.
The awkward part? There are times when my kids will burst into the room mid-session. I've literally had to teach fractions while my toddler screamed about the wrong color cup. Other parents are usually super understanding because they understand mom life.
Reselling and Flipping
Okay, this one happened accidentally. While organizing my kids' stuff and posted some items on Facebook Marketplace.
They sold within hours. Lightbulb moment: one person's trash is another's treasure.
Currently I visit thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, on the hunt for name brands. I grab something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
This takes effort? Yes. You're constantly listing and shipping. But it's oddly satisfying about discovering a diamond in the rough at a yard sale and making profit.
Additionally: my children are fascinated when I discover weird treasures. Just last week I scored a vintage toy that my son lost his mind over. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Victory for mom.
The Honest Reality
Real talk moment: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. They're called hustles for a reason.
There are moments when I'm completely drained, questioning my life choices. I'm working before sunrise being productive before the madness begins, then handling mom duties, then back at it after the kids are asleep.
But this is what's real? I earned this money. I don't have to ask permission to treat myself. I'm supporting our household income. I'm teaching my children that moms can do anything.
Tips if You're Starting Out
If you're thinking about a mom hustle, here are my tips:
Don't go all in immediately. Avoid trying to do everything at once. Pick one thing and become proficient before adding more.
Be realistic about time. If naptime is your only free time, that's perfectly acceptable. Two hours of focused work is more than enough to start.
Stop comparing to the highlight reels. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? She's been grinding forever and doesn't do it alone. Do your thing.
Don't be afraid to invest, but smartly. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste $5,000 on a coaching program until you've proven the concept.
Batch your work. I learned this the hard way. Use time blocks for different things. Use Monday for creation the document here day. Use Wednesday for admin and emails.
The Mom Guilt is Real
Real talk—the mom guilt is real. Certain moments when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I struggle with it.
But then I consider that I'm demonstrating to them what dedication looks like. I'm showing my daughter that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
Also? Earning independently has made me a better mom. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me more patient.
The Numbers
So what do I actually make? On average, total from all sources, I bring in $3,000-5,000 per month. Some months are lower, others are slower.
Is it life-changing money? No. But I've used it for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've been really hard. And it's giving me confidence and experience that could turn into something bigger.
In Conclusion
Here's the bottom line, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship is hard. You won't find a one-size-fits-all approach. Many days I'm making it up as I go, surviving on coffee, and doing my best.
But I don't regret it. Every dollar I earn is a testament to my hustle. It's evidence that I'm more than just mom.
So if you're considering diving into this? Go for it. Don't wait for perfect. Future you will be grateful.
Don't forget: You're more than making it through—you're growing something incredible. Even if there's probably mysterious crumbs everywhere.
Seriously. It's pretty amazing, complete with all the chaos.
My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—single motherhood wasn't part of my five-year plan. Nor was becoming a content creator. But yet here I am, three years into this wild journey, earning income by being vulnerable on the internet while raising two kids basically solo. And honestly? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Changed
It was 2022 when my divorce happened. I can still picture sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids were finally quiet. I had less than a thousand dollars in my checking account, two kids to support, and a salary that was a joke. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to escape reality—because that's what we do? when we're drowning, right?—when I found this solo parent discussing how she changed her life through being a creator. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But desperation makes you brave. Or stupid. Sometimes both.
I downloaded the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, venting about how I'd just spent my last $12 on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunch boxes. I hit post and panicked. Who gives a damn about my mess?
Turns out, thousands of people.
That video got forty-seven thousand views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me almost lose it over frozen nuggets. The comments section turned into this incredible community—other single moms, others barely surviving, all saying "me too." That was my turning point. People didn't want perfect. They wanted real.
Discovering My Voice: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It chose me. I became the real one.
I started creating content about the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I lived in one outfit because executive dysfunction is real. Or when I served cereal as a meal three nights in a row and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my kid asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content was raw. My lighting was trash. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was authentic, and evidently, that's what resonated.
Within two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, fifty thousand. By half a year, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone blew my mind. Real accounts who wanted to listen to me. Me—a broke single mom who had to ask Google what this meant months before.
The Daily Grind: Juggling Everything
Let me show you of my typical day, because creating content solo is totally different from those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about financial reality. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while talking about dealing with my ex. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation ends. Now I'm in parent mode—cooking eggs, finding the missing shoe (seriously, always ONE), packing lunches, mediating arguments. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: Carpool line. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks when stopped. Not proud of this, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Kids are at school. I'm cutting clips, responding to comments, planning content, sending emails, analyzing metrics. They believe content creation is simple. Nope. It's a entire operation.
I usually film in batches on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means making a dozen videos in one sitting. I'll swap tops so it appears to be different times. Hot tip: Keep different outfits accessible for fast swaps. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, recording myself alone in the driveway.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Parent time. But here's the thing—many times my biggest hits come from real life. Last week, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I refused to get a toy she didn't need. I made content in the vehicle once we left about surviving tantrums as a lone parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: Dinner through bedtime. I'm typically drained to film, but I'll queue up posts, respond to DMs, or strategize. Some nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll work late because a partnership is due.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just organized chaos with random wins.
The Financial Reality: How I Support My Family
Okay, let's talk dollars because this is what people ask about. Can you make a living as a content creator? 100%. Is it simple? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made nothing. Month two? $0. Month three, I got my first sponsored post—one hundred fifty dollars to share a meal box. I broke down. That hundred fifty dollars paid for groceries.
Today, years later, here's how I earn income:
Brand Partnerships: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that my followers need—practical items, mom products, family items. I bill anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per campaign, depending on deliverables. Last month, I did four brand deals and made $8K.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: Creator fund pays not much—maybe $200-400 per month for huge view counts. YouTube revenue is actually decent. I make about $1.5K monthly from YouTube, but that was a long process.
Affiliate Marketing: I share affiliate links to things I own—everything from my go-to coffee machine to the bunk beds in their room. If someone clicks and buys, I get a kickback. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Downloadables: I created a single mom budget planner and a meal prep guide. They're $15 each, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another $1-1.5K.
Coaching/Consulting: Aspiring influencers pay me to show them how. I offer 1:1 sessions for $200 hourly. I do about 5-10 each month.
Total monthly income: Typically, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month at this point. Some months I make more, some are tougher. It's unpredictable, which is terrifying when you're the only income source. But it's 3x what I made at my old job, and I'm there for them.
The Dark Side Nobody Posts About
This sounds easy until you're having a breakdown because a post got no views, or managing cruel messages from internet trolls.
The negativity is intense. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm exploiting my kids, questioned about being a single mom. I'll never forget, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm shifts. Sometimes you're getting insane views. Next month, you're getting nothing. Your income varies wildly. You're never off, always "on", nervous about slowing down, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is worse beyond normal. Every upload, I wonder: Am I oversharing? Am I doing right by them? Will they resent this when they're adults? I have non-negotiables—limited face shots, keeping their stories private, no embarrassing content. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout hits hard. Some weeks when I can't create. When I'm touched out, talked out, and totally spent. But bills don't care about burnout. So I do it anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But here's what's real—even with the struggles, this journey has brought me things I never imagined.
Financial stability for the first time in my life. I'm not a millionaire, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an safety net. We took a family trip last summer—Disney, which felt impossible not long ago. I don't panic about money anymore.
Control that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or worry about money. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a school event, I attend. I'm in their lives in ways I couldn't manage with a regular job.
Community that saved me. The other influencers I've found, especially solo parents, have become my people. We talk, collaborate, encourage each other. My followers have become this family. They support me, encourage me through rough patches, and make me feel seen.
Me beyond motherhood. For the first time since having kids, I have my own thing. I'm not defined by divorce or just a mom. I'm a business owner. A content creator. A person who hustled.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a single parent considering content creation, here's my advice:
Begin now. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. That's okay. You grow through creating, not by waiting.
Keep it real. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your true life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That resonates.
Guard their privacy. Create rules. Know your limits. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I don't use their names, rarely show their faces, and keep private things private.
Build multiple income streams. Don't put all eggs in one basket or a single source. The algorithm is unpredictable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Create in batches. When you have quiet time, make a bunch. Future you will be grateful when you're drained.
Connect with followers. Answer comments. Check messages. Build real relationships. Your community is your foundation.
Monitor what works. Be strategic. If something requires tons of time and gets nothing while something else takes very little time and goes viral, change tactics.
Don't forget yourself. You need to fill your cup. Rest. Protect your peace. Your mental health matters most.
Give it time. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me eight months to make decent money. My first year, I made $15K total. Year 2, $80,000. Year 3, I'm on track for six figures. It's a journey.
Remember why you started. On difficult days—and there are many—recall your purpose. For me, it's money, being there, and proving to myself that I'm stronger than I knew.
Being Real With You
Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Content creation as a single mom is hard. Really hard. You're operating a business while being the single caregiver of kids who need everything.
Many days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the negativity affect me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and asking myself if I should just get a "normal" job with consistent income.
But then suddenly my daughter mentions she loves that I'm home. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I receive a comment from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I understand the impact.
My Future Plans
Years ago, I was scared and struggling how to survive. Currently, I'm a professional creator making more money than I ever did in my old job, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals now? Reach 500K by December. Start a podcast for solo parents. Maybe write a book. Keep building this business that changed my life.
Being a creator gave me a path forward when I needed it most. It gave me a way to provide for my family, show up, and build something real. It's not the path I expected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To every solo parent considering this: Hell yes you can. It won't be easy. You'll want to quit some days. But you're handling the most difficult thing—single parenting. You're stronger than you think.
Jump in messy. Keep showing up. Prioritize yourself. And always remember, you're beyond survival mode—you're changing your life.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go make a video about another last-minute project and I'm just now hearing about it. Because that's this life—content from the mess, one video at a time.
Seriously. This journey? It's worth it. Even when I'm sure there's crumbs stuck to my laptop right now. No regrets, mess included.