I'm gonna be honest with you, being a mom is literally insane. But plot twist? Attempting to hustle for money while dealing with children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I entered the side gig world about three years ago when I figured out that my impulse buys were reaching dangerous levels. I had to find some independent income.
Being a VA
Right so, I started out was becoming a virtual assistant. And real talk? It was exactly what I needed. I could hustle while the kids slept, and literally all it took was my laptop and decent wifi.
My first tasks were basic stuff like email management, posting on social media, and basic admin work. Pretty straightforward. I started at about $20/hour, which seemed low but as a total beginner, you gotta begin at the bottom.
What cracked me up? There I was on a video meeting looking all professional from the chest up—business casual vibes—while wearing my rattiest leggings. That's the dream honestly.
Selling on Etsy
After a year, I decided to try the Etsy world. All my mom friends seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I thought "why not get in on this?"
I created making printable planners and wall art. Here's why printables are amazing? One and done creation, and it can generate passive income forever. Genuinely, I've gotten orders at ungodly hours.
My first sale? I lost my mind. My husband thought something was wrong. But no—just me, doing a happy dance for my glorious $4.99. Don't judge me.
Blogging and Creating
Eventually I discovered blogging and content creation. This one is definitely a slow burn, trust me on this.
I started a family lifestyle blog where I shared the chaos of parenting—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Keeping it real. Just real talk about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Getting readers was like watching paint dry. For months, I was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I kept at it, and slowly but surely, things started clicking.
These days? I generate revenue through affiliate marketing, collaborations, and ad revenue. Recently I earned over two grand from my blog alone. Wild, right?
SMM Side Hustle
When I became good with social media for my own stuff, small companies started asking if I could do the same for them.
Real talk? Most small businesses struggle with social media. They know they need to be there, but they don't know how.
This is my moment. I now manage social media for a handful of clients—various small businesses. I plan their content, schedule posts, respond to comments, and analyze the metrics.
I charge between $500-$1500/month per account, depending on what they need. Best part? I do this work from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
Writing for Money
For the wordy folks, freelance writing is where it's at. Not like becoming Shakespeare—I mean commercial writing.
Companies always need writers. I've created content about everything from the most random topics. You just need to research, you just need to be good at research.
On average earn fifty to one hundred fifty bucks per piece, depending on how complex it is. Certain months I'll crank out ten to fifteen pieces and make an extra $1,000-2,000.
The funny thing is: I'm the same person who struggled with essays. Now I'm earning a living writing. Life is weird.
Virtual Tutoring
During the pandemic, virtual tutoring became huge. I was a teacher before kids, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I signed up with VIPKid and Tutor.com. You choose when you work, which is essential when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
I mainly help with elementary school stuff. The pay ranges from $15-25 per hour depending on the company.
What's hilarious? Occasionally my own kids will photobomb my lessons mid-session. I've had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. The families I work with are very sympathetic because they get it.
Flipping Items for Profit
Okay, this side gig wasn't planned. I was cleaning out my kids' stuff and posted some items on Facebook Marketplace.
Stuff sold out within hours. I suddenly understood: people will buy anything.
Now I visit estate sales and thrift shops, hunting for quality items. I purchase something for $3 and sell it for $30.
It's labor-intensive? Yes. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But it's oddly satisfying about spotting valuable items at the thrift store and earning from it.
Bonus: my children are fascinated when I score cool vintage stuff. Just last week I grabbed a vintage toy that my son absolutely loved. Made $45 on it. Mom win.
The Honest Reality
Let me keep it real: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. There's work involved, hence the name.
There are days when I'm exhausted, doubting everything. I'm working before sunrise getting stuff done while it's quiet, then all day mom-ing, then back to work after 8pm hits.
But this is what's real? These are my earnings. I don't have to ask permission to buy the fancy coffee. I'm contributing to our household income. My kids see that moms can do anything.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're considering a side hustle, here's my advice:
Start with one thing. Don't attempt to launch everything simultaneously. Focus on one and become proficient before starting something else.
Be realistic about time. If you only have evenings, that's fine. Whatever time you can dedicate is a great beginning.
Don't compare yourself to Instagram moms. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? They've been at it for years and has help. Do your thing.
Don't be afraid to invest, but wisely. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste thousands on courses until you've tested the waters.
Batch tasks together. I learned this the hard way. Set aside specific days for specific tasks. Monday might be writing day. Wednesday could be handling business stuff.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
I'm not gonna lie—guilt is part of this. There are days when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I feel guilty.
But then I think about that I'm showing them work ethic. I'm proving to them that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
Additionally? Earning independently website has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more satisfied, which translates to better parenting.
The Numbers
My actual income? Generally, total from all sources, I bring in $3,000-5,000 per month. Some months are better, some are tougher.
Is it life-changing money? Nope. But this money covers family trips and unexpected expenses that would've caused financial strain. It's also giving me confidence and expertise that could grow into more.
Final Thoughts
Look, being a mom with a side hustle is hard. It's not a perfect balance. A lot of days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and praying it all works out.
But I'm proud of this journey. Every dollar I earn is a testament to my hustle. It's evidence that I'm a multifaceted person.
So if you're considering starting a side hustle? Start now. Start before it's perfect. Future you will be grateful.
Don't forget: You're more than surviving—you're creating something amazing. Even if there's likely old cheerios on your keyboard.
For real. The whole thing is the life, despite the chaos.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—becoming a single mom wasn't part of my five-year plan. I also didn't plan on building a creator business. But here we are, years into this crazy ride, earning income by sharing my life online while raising two kids basically solo. And real talk? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was a few years ago when my divorce happened. I will never forget sitting in my mostly empty place (he got the furniture, I got the memories), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids slept. I had eight hundred forty-seven dollars in my checking account, two humans depending on me, and a salary that was a joke. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I was on TikTok to avoid my thoughts—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when we're drowning, right?—when I found this solo parent talking about how she made six figures through making videos. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Maybe both. Often both.
I downloaded the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, sharing how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I shared it and felt sick. Who gives a damn about someone's train wreck of a life?
Spoiler alert, tons of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me breakdown over processed meat. The comments section turned into this incredible community—women in similar situations, others barely surviving, all saying "I feel this." That was my turning point. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted real.
Finding My Niche: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? It chose me. I became the single mom who keeps it brutally honest.
I started creating content about the stuff no one shows. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because I couldn't handle laundry. Or the time I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner several days straight and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked about the divorce, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who believes in magic.
My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was authentic, and apparently, that's what connected.
Two months later, I hit 10K. Month three, 50K. By half a year, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone felt surreal. People who wanted to hear what I had to say. Little old me—a struggling single mom who had to figure this out from zero not long ago.
A Day in the Life: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is the opposite of those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do not want to move, but this is my work time. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a getting ready video sharing about money struggles. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while talking about dealing with my ex. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation stops. Now I'm in full mom mode—cooking eggs, finding the missing shoe (why is it always one shoe), throwing food in bags, breaking up sibling fights. The chaos is real.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom creating content in traffic in the car. Don't judge me, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. I'm alone finally. I'm editing videos, responding to comments, brainstorming content ideas, doing outreach, reviewing performance. Everyone assumes content creation is just making TikToks. Absolutely not. It's a entire operation.
I usually create multiple videos on Monday and Wednesday. That means making a dozen videos in a few hours. I'll switch outfits so it looks varied. Advice: Keep different outfits accessible for fast swaps. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, recording myself alone in the backyard.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Transition back to mom mode. But here's where it gets tricky—sometimes my viral videos come from these after-school moments. Last week, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I said no to a toy she didn't need. I created a video in the vehicle after about managing big emotions as a solo parent. It got millions of views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm usually too exhausted to film, but I'll schedule content, reply to messages, or prep for tomorrow. Some nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll edit for hours because a partnership is due.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just chaos with a plan with moments of success.
The Financial Reality: How I Support My Family
Alright, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you legitimately profit as a influencer? For sure. Is it effortless? Not even close.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Month two? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first collaboration—a hundred and fifty bucks to feature a meal box. I literally cried. That one-fifty paid for groceries.
Fast forward, three years in, here's how I make money:
Sponsored Content: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that align with my audience—things that help, helpful services, kids' stuff. I get paid anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per deal, depending on what they need. Just last month, I did four collabs and made $8,000.
Ad Money: The TikTok fund pays not much—maybe $200-400 per month for massive numbers. YouTube revenue is actually decent. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that took forever.
Affiliate Income: I share links to stuff I really use—anything from my favorite coffee maker to the kids' beds. If someone purchases through my link, I get a percentage. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Digital Products: I created a budget template and a meal prep guide. They're $15 each, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
One-on-One Coaching: New creators pay me to show them how. I offer 1:1 sessions for $200/hour. I do about several per month.
Total monthly income: Most months, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month now. Some months are higher, some are lower. It's variable, which is scary when there's no backup. But it's triple what I made at my 9-5, and I'm available for my kids.
The Struggles Nobody Posts About
It looks perfect online until you're having a breakdown because a video flopped, or dealing with nasty DMs from keyboard warriors.
The haters are brutal. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm a bad influence, called a liar about being a divorced parent. I'll never forget, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one hurt so bad.
The algorithm is unpredictable. Certain periods you're getting viral hits. Then suddenly, you're getting nothing. Your income goes up and down. You're always creating, never resting, worried that if you take a break, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is worse times a thousand. Each post, I wonder: Am I sharing too much? Is this okay? Will they hate me for this when they're grown? I have clear boundaries—minimal identifying info, keeping their stories private, nothing humiliating. But the line is fuzzy.
The burnout is real. Some weeks when I can't create. When I'm depleted, socially drained, and totally spent. But the mortgage is due. So I show up anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But here's what's real—even with the struggles, this journey has given me things I never anticipated.
Money security for the first time in my life. I'm not wealthy, but I cleared $18K. I have an cushion. We took a family trip last summer—Disney World, which was a dream a couple years back. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or worry about money. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a school thing, I can go. I'm in their lives in ways I couldn't be with a traditional 9-5.
Connection that saved me. The creator friends I've befriended, especially other moms, have become actual friends. We vent, collaborate, have each other's backs. My followers have become this family. They cheer for me, encourage me through rough patches, and remind me I'm not alone.
Something that's mine. After years, I have something that's mine. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or just a mom. I'm a entrepreneur. A content creator. A person who hustled.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a single mother curious about this, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You learn by doing, not by waiting.
Authenticity wins. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your true life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That's what works.
Guard their privacy. Establish boundaries. Know your limits. Their privacy is everything. I don't use their names, rarely show their faces, and respect their dignity.
Diversify income streams. Don't put all eggs in one basket or one revenue source. The algorithm is unpredictable. More streams = less stress.
Batch create content. When you have available time, record several. Tomorrow you will thank present you when you're too exhausted to create.
Interact. Reply to comments. Respond to DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is what matters.
Track metrics. Be strategic. If something takes four hours and tanks while a different post takes very little time and blows up, shift focus.
Self-care matters. Self-care isn't selfish. Take breaks. Set boundaries. Your sanity matters more than views.
Be patient. This takes time. It took me half a year to make real income. My first year, I made $15K total. Year two, eighty grand. Now, I'm hitting six figures. It's a journey.
Know your why. On bad days—and there are many—recall your purpose. For me, it's supporting my kids, time with my children, and showing myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
Real Talk Time
Here's the deal, I'm telling the truth. This life is tough. Like, really freaking hard. You're operating a business while being the sole caretaker of demanding little people.
Many days I doubt myself. Days when the trolls hurt. Days when I'm burnt out and asking myself if I should go back to corporate with benefits and a steady paycheck.
But and then my daughter tells me she appreciates this. Or I check my balance and see money. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content helped her leave an unhealthy relationship. And I remember my purpose.
My Future Plans
Years ago, I was terrified and clueless what to do. Currently, I'm a content creator making triple what I earned in traditional work, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals for the future? Hit 500K by end of year. Begin podcasting for single moms. Possibly write a book. Keep growing this business that makes everything possible.
Content creation gave me a lifeline when I was desperate. It gave me a way to take care of my children, show up, and create something meaningful. It's unexpected, but it's meant to be.
To every solo parent considering this: Yes you can. It will be challenging. You'll struggle. But you're handling the most difficult thing—raising humans alone. You're more capable than you know.
Start messy. Stay consistent. Prioritize yourself. And remember, you're beyond survival mode—you're changing your life.
Gotta go now, I need to go record a video about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and nobody told me until now. Because that's this life—making content from chaos, one post at a time.
Honestly. This life? It's the best decision. Even when there's definitely crushed cheerios all over my desk. No regrets, imperfectly perfect.