Real talk, motherhood is not for the weak. But you know what's even crazier? Trying to secure the bag while managing toddlers and their chaos.
I entered the side gig world about several years ago when I figured out that my Target runs were getting out of hand. I had to find my own money.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Okay so, my initial venture was doing VA work. And real talk? It was perfect. It let me work during naptime, and all I needed was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
I began by simple tasks like organizing inboxes, doing social media scheduling, and basic admin work. Not rocket science. I charged about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which wasn't much but when you're just starting, you gotta prove yourself first.
The funniest part? Picture this: me on a video meeting looking completely put together from the chest up—blazer, makeup, the works—while rocking sweatpants. Peak mom life.
My Etsy Journey
About twelve months in, I wanted to explore the selling on Etsy. All my mom friends seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I figured "why not me?"
My shop focused on crafting digital planners and wall art. Here's why printables are amazing? Design it once, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Actually, I've earned money at 3am while I was sleeping.
My first sale? I actually yelled. My partner was like there was an emergency. But no—I was just, cheering about my five dollar sale. Don't judge me.
Blogging and Creating
Eventually I discovered blogging and content creation. This venture is playing the long game, let me tell you.
I began a blog about motherhood where I wrote about my parenting journey—everything unfiltered. Keeping it real. Simply real talk about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Building up views was painfully slow. The first few months, I was essentially my only readers were my mom and two bots. But I kept at it, and after a while, things started clicking.
Currently? I make money through affiliate links, brand partnerships, and display ads. Last month I made over $2,000 from my blog income. Crazy, right?
SMM Side Hustle
Once I got decent at my own content, other businesses started inquiring if I could manage their accounts.
Real talk? A lot of local businesses struggle with social media. They know they need to be there, but they don't have time.
I swoop in. I currently run social media for a handful of clients—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I create content, schedule posts, engage with followers, and check their stats.
I charge between $500-$1500/month per client, depending on what they need. What I love? I can do most of it from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For the wordy folks, freelancing is where it's at. This isn't literary fiction—I'm talking about content writing for businesses.
Companies need content constantly. I've written everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. Google is your best friend, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
Generally charge $50-150 per article, depending on length and complexity. On good months I'll crank out a dozen articles and make one to two thousand extra.
Here's what's wild: I'm the same person who hated writing papers. And now I'm getting paid for it. Life is weird.
The Online Tutoring Thing
During the pandemic, tutoring went digital. With my teaching background, so this was perfect for me.
I started working with several tutoring platforms. It's super flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have unpredictable little ones.
I mainly help with elementary reading and math. Income ranges from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on the company.
What's hilarious? Sometimes my own kids will photobomb my lessons mid-session. I once had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The parents on the other end are usually super understanding because they're living the same life.
The Reselling Game
Here me out, this hustle started by accident. While organizing my kids' things and posted some items on Mercari.
They sold immediately. I suddenly understood: one person's trash is another's treasure.
At this point I frequent thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, on the hunt for quality items. I'll find something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
Is it a lot of work? Yes. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But I find it rewarding about spotting valuable items at a yard sale and turning a profit.
Additionally: my children are fascinated when I discover weird treasures. Recently I grabbed a retro toy that my son absolutely loved. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Mom win.
The Honest Reality
Truth bomb incoming: this stuff requires effort. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
Some days when I'm completely drained, doubting everything. I'm up at 5am getting stuff done while it's quiet, then doing all the mom stuff, then more hustle time after 8pm hits.
But here's what matters? This income is mine. No permission needed to buy the fancy coffee. I'm adding to our household income. My kids are learning that you can have it all—sort of.
Tips if You're Starting Out
If you're thinking about a side gig, here's what I'd tell you:
Start with one thing. Don't attempt to start five businesses. Start with one venture and become proficient before starting something else.
Honor your limits. If naptime is your only free time, that's totally valid. Even one focused hour is a great beginning.
Stop comparing to Instagram moms. Those people with massive success? She probably started years ago and has support. Stay in your lane.
Spend money on education, but strategically. You don't need expensive courses. Don't waste $5,000 on a coaching program until you've proven the concept.
Do similar tasks together. I learned this the hard way. Block off certain times for certain work. Monday could be making stuff day. Wednesday might be organizing and responding.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
I have to be real with you—mom guilt is a thing. Sometimes when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I struggle with it.
But then I think about that I'm showing them that hard work matters. I'm teaching my kids that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
And honestly? Earning independently has improved my mental health. I'm more content, which makes me more patient.
The Numbers
My actual income? On average, from all my side gigs, I earn $3K-5K. It varies, some are slower.
Is this getting-rich money? Nope. But this money covers stuff that matters to us that would've stressed us out. Plus it's developing my career and expertise that could become a full-time thing.
In Conclusion
Here's the bottom line, hustling as a mom is challenging. It's not a secret sauce. Most days I'm winging it, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and hoping for the best.
But I wouldn't change it. Every dollar earned is evidence of my capability. It's evidence that I have identity beyond motherhood.
If you're on the fence about starting a side hustle? Do it. Don't wait for perfect. Your tomorrow self will be so glad you did.
Always remember: You're more than making it through—you're hustling. Even when there's probably old cheerios on your keyboard.
Seriously. This is the life, complete with all the chaos.
From Survival Mode to Content Creator: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—becoming a single mom wasn't on my vision board. I also didn't plan on turning into an influencer. But yet here I am, three years later, earning income by sharing my life online while parenting alone. And real talk? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Changed
It was a few years ago when my divorce happened. I will never forget sitting in my mostly empty place (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids slept. I had less than a thousand dollars in my checking account, little people counting on me, and a job that barely covered rent. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to numb the pain—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when everything is chaos, right?—when I stumbled on this woman discussing how she made six figures through being a creator. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But when you're desperate, you try anything. Or stupid. Often both.
I got the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, venting about how I'd just blown my final $12 on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' school lunches. I hit post and panicked. Why would anyone care about my broke reality?
Turns out, tons of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. 47,000 people watched me almost lose it over chicken nuggets. The comments section turned into this unexpected source of support—fellow solo parents, people living the same reality, all saying "this is my life." That was my aha moment. People didn't want perfection. They wanted raw.
My Brand Evolution: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the real one.
I started sharing the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I lived in one outfit because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner several days straight and called it "survival mode." Or that moment when my kid asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content was raw. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was unfiltered, and apparently, that's what connected.
After sixty days, I hit 10,000 followers. 90 days in, fifty thousand. By half a year, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone blew my mind. Real accounts who wanted to follow me. Plain old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" recently.
The Daily Grind: Managing It All
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because this life is totally different from those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about single mom finances. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while venting about co-parenting struggles. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in full mom mode—cooking eggs, finding the missing shoe (why is it always one shoe), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is real.
8:30am: Carpool line. I'm that mom creating content in traffic in the car. Not my proudest moment, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. I'm alone finally. I'm cutting clips, engaging with followers, thinking of ideas, sending emails, analyzing metrics. Everyone assumes content creation is simple. Absolutely not. It's a whole business.
I usually batch content on specific days. That means making a dozen videos in a few hours. I'll swap tops so it looks like different days. Pro tip: Keep different outfits accessible for fast swaps. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, making videos in public in the backyard.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Back to parenting. But this is where it's complicated—frequently my best content ideas come from real life. A few days ago, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I wouldn't buy a expensive toy. I made content in the Target parking lot once we left about managing big emotions as a single mom. It got millions of views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm completely exhausted to make videos, but I'll plan posts, answer messages, or outline content. Certain nights, after they're down, I'll edit for hours because a partnership is due.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just controlled chaos with some victories.
Let's Talk Income: How I Really Earn Money
Alright, let's talk numbers because this is what you're wondering. Can you legitimately profit as a creator? Yes. Is it straightforward? Hell no.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Second month? $0. Third month, I got my first paid partnership—one hundred fifty dollars to promote a meal box. I cried real tears. That hundred fifty dollars paid for groceries.
Fast forward, three years later, here's how I generate revenue:
Sponsored Content: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that align with my audience—affordable stuff, helpful services, kids' stuff. I ask for anywhere from $500-5K per partnership, depending on deliverables. This past month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made eight grand.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: TikTok's creator fund pays not much—maybe $200-400 per month for millions of views. AdSense is way better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took forever.
Affiliate Links: I post links to items I love—anything from my go-to coffee machine to the bunk beds I bought. If someone purchases through my link, I get a kickback. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Info Products: I created a budget template and a meal planning ebook. $15 apiece, and I sell dozens per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Teaching Others: New creators pay me to teach them the ropes. I offer private coaching for $200/hour. I do about five to ten per month.
Combined monthly revenue: On average, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month these days. Some months I make more, others are slower. It's unpredictable, which is terrifying when there's no backup. But it's 3x what I made at my old job, and I'm home when my kids need me.
The Struggles Nobody Mentions
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're sobbing alone because a post got no views, or dealing with hate comments from random people.
The trolls are vicious. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm using my children, told I'm fake about being a solo parent. I'll never forget, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one stung for days.
The algorithm shifts. Sometimes you're getting millions of views. The following week, you're getting nothing. Your income varies wildly. You're never off, 24/7, worried that if you take a break, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is intense exponentially. the article here Every upload, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they be angry about this when they're teenagers? I have firm rules—protected identities, nothing too personal, no embarrassing content. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout is real. Certain periods when I have nothing. When I'm depleted, talked out, and completely finished. But life doesn't stop. So I push through.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's what's real—despite the hard parts, this journey has given me things I never expected.
Financial freedom for once in my life. I'm not loaded, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an savings. We took a family trip last summer—the Mouse House, which seemed impossible two years ago. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or lose income. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a school event, I'm present. I'm there for them in ways I wasn't with a normal job.
My people that saved me. The creator friends I've met, especially other single parents, have become my people. We connect, share strategies, support each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They cheer for me, encourage me through rough patches, and show me I'm not alone.
Something that's mine. After years, I have my own thing. I'm more than an ex or someone's mom. I'm a content creator. A businesswoman. Someone who created this.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a single parent wanting to start, here's my advice:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. That's okay. You get better, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Keep it real. People can tell when you're fake. Share your true life—the chaos. That's what works.
Protect your kids. Create rules. Know your limits. Their privacy is the priority. I keep names private, protect their faces, and respect their dignity.
Diversify income streams. Don't rely on just one platform or one way to earn. The algorithm is fickle. Multiple streams = safety.
Film multiple videos. When you have available time, make a bunch. Future you will thank yourself when you're drained.
Build community. Answer comments. Check messages. Create connections. Your community is your foundation.
Monitor what works. Be strategic. If something is time-intensive and flops while something else takes very little time and gets massive views, pivot.
Self-care matters. You matter too. Step away. Protect your peace. Your wellbeing matters most.
Be patient. This requires patience. It took me eight months to make real income. Year one, I made barely $15,000. Year 2, $80K. Year three, I'm making six figures. It's a journey.
Remember why you started. On bad days—and trust me, there will be—recall your purpose. For me, it's supporting my kids, being present, and validating that I'm capable of anything.
The Reality Check
Look, I'm keeping it 100. This life is hard. Really hard. You're basically running a business while being the sole caretaker of kids who need everything.
Many days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the nasty comments sting. Days when I'm burnt out and wondering if I should get a regular job with consistent income.
But and then my daughter tells me she appreciates this. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I know it's worth it.
What's Next
A few years back, I was scared and struggling what to do. Today, I'm a full-time content creator making more money than I ever did in traditional work, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500K by end of year. Begin podcasting for single parents. Possibly write a book. Expand this business that changed my life.
This journey gave me a lifeline when I needed it most. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be available, and build something real. It's not what I planned, but it's perfect.
To all the single moms considering this: Hell yes you can. It will be challenging. You'll struggle. But you're managing the hardest job—raising humans alone. You're stronger than you think.
Jump in messy. Keep showing up. Guard your peace. And don't forget, you're beyond survival mode—you're building something incredible.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go record a video about another last-minute project and surprise!. Because that's this life—chaos becomes content, one post at a time.
No cap. This path? It's the best decision. Despite there's probably crushed cheerios all over my desk. Living the dream, one messy video at a time.