Here's the tea, motherhood is no joke. But what's really wild? Working to make some extra cash while dealing with children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I started my side hustle journey about several years ago when I figured out that my impulse buys were becoming problematic. I was desperate for my own money.
Being a VA
Right so, my first gig was jumping into virtual assistance. And real talk? It was ideal. I could hustle while the kids slept, and all I needed was my laptop and decent wifi.
I began by basic stuff like email management, managing social content, and basic admin work. Pretty straightforward. I started at about $20/hour, which felt cheap but when you're just starting, you gotta build up your portfolio.
Honestly the most hilarious thing? I'd be on a client call looking like I had my life together from the shoulders up—full professional mode—while wearing pants I'd owned since 2015. Living my best life.
Selling on Etsy
About twelve months in, I thought I'd test out the handmade marketplace scene. All my mom friends seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I figured "why not start one too?"
My shop focused on crafting downloadable organizers and wall art. Here's why printables are amazing? Design it once, and it can make money while you sleep. Actually, I've earned money at ungodly hours.
That initial sale? I actually yelled. My partner was like the house was on fire. Negative—just me, celebrating my five dollar sale. No shame in my game.
The Content Creation Grind
Eventually I ventured into creating content online. This hustle is playing the long game, let me tell you.
I launched a family lifestyle blog where I shared real mom life—everything unfiltered. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Only real talk about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Getting readers was like watching paint dry. Initially, I was essentially creating content for crickets. But I didn't give up, and eventually, things began working.
These days? I generate revenue through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and advertisements on my site. This past month I earned over $2,000 from my website. Mind-blowing, right?
Managing Social Media
Once I got decent at managing my blog's social media, small companies started asking if I could help them.
And honestly? Most small businesses don't understand social media. They know they need to be there, but they don't have time.
That's where I come in. I oversee social media for three local businesses—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I develop content, queue up posts, interact with their audience, and check their stats.
They pay me between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per client, depending on the scope of work. Here's what's great? I do this work from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If writing is your thing, content writing is where it's at. This isn't writing the next Great American Novel—this is commercial writing.
Companies always need writers. I've written everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. Google is your best friend, you just need to be good at research.
On average charge $50-150 per article, depending on the topic and length. When I'm hustling hard I'll produce 10-15 articles and pull in an extra $1,000-2,000.
Plot twist: Back in school I hated writing papers. These days I'm a professional writer. The irony.
The Online Tutoring Thing
When COVID hit, everyone needed online help. I used to be a teacher, so this was perfect for me.
I signed up with a couple of online tutoring sites. The scheduling is flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
I mostly tutor K-5 subjects. You can make from $15-25 per hour depending on where you work.
Here's what's weird? There are times when my children will crash my tutoring session mid-session. There was a time I be professional while chaos erupted behind me. Other parents are incredibly understanding because they're living the same the article here life.
Reselling and Flipping
Okay, this side gig happened accidentally. I was decluttering my kids' room and put some things on various apps.
They sold so fast. That's when I realized: people will buy anything.
Currently I shop at estate sales and thrift shops, searching for quality items. I'll find something for cheap and resell at a markup.
It's definitely work? Absolutely. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But there's something satisfying about finding a gem at Goodwill and making money.
Plus: the kids think it's neat when I find unique items. Recently I grabbed a rare action figure that my son lost his mind over. Got forty-five dollars for it. Score one for mom.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Truth bomb incoming: side hustles aren't passive income. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
Some days when I'm exhausted, doubting everything. I'm grinding at dawn being productive before the madness begins, then handling mom duties, then back at it after the kids are asleep.
But here's what matters? I earned this money. I'm not asking anyone to get the good coffee. I'm contributing to the family budget. I'm showing my kids that you can be both.
Tips if You're Starting Out
For those contemplating a mom hustle, this is what I've learned:
Don't go all in immediately. Don't try to do everything at once. Focus on one and nail it down before taking on more.
Use the time you have. Whatever time you have, that's totally valid. A couple of productive hours is better than nothing.
Comparison is the thief of joy to the highlight reels. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? She's been grinding forever and has support. Run your own race.
Invest in yourself, but strategically. There are tons of free resources. Avoid dropping $5,000 on a coaching program until you've proven the concept.
Batch your work. I learned this the hard way. Set aside days for specific hustles. Monday could be creation day. Wednesday might be organizing and responding.
The Mom Guilt is Real
Let me be honest—guilt is part of this. There are times when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I feel guilty.
However I think about that I'm modeling for them how to hustle. I'm proving to them that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
And honestly? Making my own money has made me a better mom. I'm more content, which makes me more patient.
The Numbers
My actual income? On average, between all my hustles, I bring in between three and five grand. Certain months are higher, others are slower.
Is it life-changing money? No. But I've used it for stuff that matters to us that would've been impossible otherwise. It's also creating opportunities and skills that could turn into something bigger.
Wrapping This Up
Look, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship is challenging. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach. Many days I'm winging it, running on coffee and determination, and doing my best.
But I don't regret it. Every single bit of income is a testament to my hustle. It's proof that I'm not just someone's mother.
So if you're considering beginning your hustle journey? Take the leap. Begin before you're ready. Your future self will be grateful.
Keep in mind: You're more than making it through—you're building something. Despite the fact that you probably have mysterious crumbs in your workspace.
Seriously. The whole thing is pretty amazing, despite the chaos.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—single motherhood wasn't on my vision board. I also didn't plan on turning into an influencer. But here I am, three years later, making a living by sharing my life online while raising two kids basically solo. And honestly? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
The Beginning: When Everything Fell Apart
It was 2022 when my relationship fell apart. 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 were finally quiet. I had $847 in my bank account, two humans depending on me, and a income that didn't cut it. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to numb the pain—because that's the move? when everything is chaos, right?—when I came across this single mom talking about how she became debt-free through content creation. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But desperation makes you brave. Or crazy. Usually both.
I installed the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, sharing how I'd just blown my final $12 on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' school lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Who gives a damn about someone's train wreck of a life?
Apparently, thousands of people.
That video got 47K views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me nearly cry over $12 worth of food. The comments section was this incredible community—other single moms, folks in the trenches, all saying "same." That was my epiphany. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted authentic.
Discovering My Voice: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's the secret about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? It found me. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started creating content about the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I didn't change pants for days because laundry felt impossible. Or the time I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner all week and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content was rough. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was real, and turns out, that's what worked.
After sixty days, I hit 10,000 followers. 90 days in, 50K. By month six, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone seemed fake. Actual humans who wanted to listen to me. Little old me—a struggling single mom who had to learn everything from scratch recently.
The Actual Schedule: Balancing Content and Chaos
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because creating content solo is nothing like those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do not want to move, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about financial reality. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while discussing dealing with my ex. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids emerge. Content creation stops. Now I'm in survival mode—feeding humans, finding the missing shoe (seriously, always ONE), making lunch boxes, stopping fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom filming at red lights at stop signs. I know, I know, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. I'm alone finally. I'm cutting clips, responding to comments, brainstorming content ideas, reaching out to brands, analyzing metrics. Folks imagine content creation is just posting videos. Nope. It's a entire operation.
I usually film in batches on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means filming 10-15 videos in one sitting. I'll change clothes so it looks varied. Life hack: Keep wardrobe options close for outfit changes. My neighbors think I've lost it, recording myself alone in the driveway.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Mom mode activated. But here's where it gets tricky—sometimes my best content ideas come from the chaos. Last week, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I refused to get a $40 toy. I recorded in the vehicle after about dealing with meltdowns as a single mom. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm typically drained to make videos, but I'll schedule content, answer messages, or strategize. Some nights, after they're down, I'll edit videos until midnight because a partnership is due.
The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just managed chaos with moments of success.
The Money Talk: How I Really Earn Money
Look, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you make a living as a influencer? For sure. Is it effortless? Nope.
My first month, I made nothing. Month two? Still nothing. Month three, I got my first collaboration—$150 to promote a meal delivery. I actually cried. That $150 paid for groceries.
Currently, years later, here's how I monetize:
Brand Partnerships: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that align with my audience—things that help, mom products, kids' stuff. I bill anywhere from $500-5K per deal, depending on deliverables. This past month, I did four brand deals and made eight thousand dollars.
TikTok Fund: TikTok's creator fund pays pennies—a few hundred dollars per month for massive numbers. AdSense is actually decent. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that required years.
Affiliate Income: I post links to products I actually use—ranging from my go-to coffee machine to the bunk beds I bought. If someone clicks and buys, I get a commission. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Online Products: I created a financial planner and a cooking guide. They're $15 each, and I sell dozens per month. That's another $1-1.5K.
Coaching/Consulting: Other aspiring creators pay me to mentor them. I offer consulting calls for two hundred per hour. I do about 5-10 each month.
My total income: On average, I'm making $10-15K per month these days. It varies, others are slower. It's inconsistent, which is terrifying when you're the only income source. But it's triple what I made at my previous job, and I'm present.
The Struggles Nobody Posts About
This sounds easy until you're crying in your car because a video flopped, or dealing with cruel messages from internet trolls.
The haters are brutal. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm using my children, accused of lying about being a single mom. Someone once commented, "No wonder he left." That one stung for days.
The algorithm changes constantly. Sometimes you're getting insane views. Then suddenly, you're struggling for views. Your income fluctuates. You're always creating, 24/7, nervous about slowing down, you'll be forgotten.
The guilt is crushing exponentially. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Is this okay? Will they regret this when they're older? I have clear boundaries—limited face shots, keeping their stories private, nothing humiliating. But the line is not always clear.
The exhaustion is real. There are weeks when I can't create. When I'm exhausted, socially drained, and completely finished. But the mortgage is due. So I do it anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But the truth is—despite everything, this journey has blessed me with things I never expected.
Financial stability for once in my life. I'm not rich, but I eliminated my debt. I have an safety net. We took a vacation last summer—Orlando, which seemed impossible a couple years back. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Control that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to use PTO or worry about money. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a class party, I'm there. I'm available in ways I wasn't with a corporate job.
My people that saved me. The other creators I've found, especially solo parents, have become my people. We connect, help each other, have each other's backs. My followers have become this beautiful community. They celebrate my wins, lift me up, and remind me I'm not alone.
My own identity. After years, I have an identity. I'm not defined by divorce or someone's mom. I'm a content creator. A businesswoman. A person who hustled.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a single mother wanting to start, here's what I'd tell you:
Just start. 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 real life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That's the magic.
Keep them safe. Create rules. Know your limits. Their privacy is everything. I keep names private, limit face shots, and respect their dignity.
Multiple revenue sources. Diversify or a single source. The algorithm is unstable. Multiple streams = safety.
Film multiple videos. When you have time alone, record several. Tomorrow you will appreciate it when you're burnt out.
Interact. Respond to comments. Check messages. Be real with them. Your community is your foundation.
Monitor what works. Not all content is worth creating. If something requires tons of time and gets 200 views while another video takes very little time and gets 200,000 views, adjust your strategy.
Take care of yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Rest. Guard your energy. Your mental health matters most.
Be patient. This is a marathon. It took me eight months to make real income. The first year, I made barely $15,000. The second year, eighty grand. Year three, I'm on track for six figures. It's a long game.
Remember why you started. On bad days—and there are many—remember your reason. For me, it's money, time with my children, and demonstrating that I'm capable of anything.
The Honest Truth
Here's the deal, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. This journey is difficult. So damn hard. You're running a whole business while being the lone caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
There are days I doubt myself. Days when the trolls affect me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and asking myself if I should get a regular job with consistent income.
But but then my daughter shares she loves that I'm home. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I remember why I do this.
Where I'm Going From Here
Years ago, I was lost and broke how to make it work. Currently, I'm a professional creator making way more than I made in traditional work, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals for the future? Get to half a million followers by year-end. Create a podcast for solo parents. Consider writing a book. Keep building this business that supports my family.
Being a creator gave me a lifeline when I had nothing. It gave me a way to feed my babies, show up, and build something real. It's unexpected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To any single parent wondering if you can do this: Hell yes you can. It will be challenging. You'll consider quitting. But you're already doing the hardest job in the world—doing this alone. You're stronger than you think.
Begin messy. Be consistent. Keep your boundaries. And don't forget, you're beyond survival mode—you're creating something amazing.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go create content about another last-minute project and surprise!. Because that's the reality—content from the mess, video by video.
For real. Being a single mom creator? It's the best decision. Even when there's probably old snacks all over my desk. Living the dream, chaos and all.