Here's the tea, being a mom is not for the weak. But plot twist? Working to make some extra cash while juggling toddlers and their chaos.
This whole thing started for me about a few years back when I discovered that my impulse buys were way too frequent. I was desperate for cash that was actually mine.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
So, my first gig was doing VA work. And not gonna lie? It was ideal. It let me hustle while the kids slept, and all I needed was my laptop and decent wifi.
I began by simple tasks like email sorting, doing social media scheduling, and data entry. Super simple stuff. I charged about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which felt cheap but when you're just starting, you gotta build up your portfolio.
What cracked me up? I would be on a Zoom call looking all professional from the shoulders up—business casual vibes—while sporting my rattiest leggings. Peak mom life.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
After getting my feet wet, I thought I'd test out the Etsy world. Every mom I knew seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I figured "why not join the party?"
I started creating printable planners and home decor prints. What's great about digital products? Make it one time, and it a contextual reference can sell forever. Genuinely, I've made sales at midnight when I'm unconscious.
My first sale? I lost my mind. My husband thought there was an emergency. Not even close—just me, doing a happy dance for my glorious $4.99. No shame in my game.
Content Creator Life
Eventually I discovered blogging and content creation. This hustle is definitely a slow burn, trust me on this.
I began a family lifestyle blog where I wrote about the chaos of parenting—everything unfiltered. Keeping it real. Only authentic experiences about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Building traffic was painfully slow. For months, I was basically talking to myself. But I stayed consistent, and over time, things gained momentum.
Now? I earn income through affiliate marketing, collaborations, and advertisements on my site. Recently I earned over two grand from my blog alone. Crazy, right?
Managing Social Media
When I became good with my own content, other businesses started asking if I could do the same for them.
Here's the thing? Many companies don't understand social media. They understand they need to be there, but they don't know how.
Enter: me. I handle social media for a handful of clients—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I make posts, plan their posting schedule, handle community management, and track analytics.
I bill between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per client, depending on what they need. Here's what's great? I do this work from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
Writing for Money
For those who can string sentences together, writing gigs is incredibly lucrative. Not like writing the next Great American Novel—this is blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Companies constantly need fresh content. I've written articles about everything from the most random topics. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
I typically earn fifty to one hundred fifty bucks per piece, depending on length and complexity. Certain months I'll write fifteen articles and make an extra $1,000-2,000.
Plot twist: I'm the same person who hated writing papers. These days I'm earning a living writing. The irony.
Tutoring Online
After lockdown started, everyone needed online help. I was a teacher before kids, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I joined a couple of online tutoring sites. The scheduling is flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have children who keep you guessing.
I mostly tutor elementary school stuff. Income ranges from $15-25 per hour depending on the platform.
The funny thing? There are times when my kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I've literally had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. The parents on the other end are usually super understanding because they understand mom life.
The Reselling Game
Here me out, this hustle I stumbled into. During a massive cleanout my kids' stuff and posted some items on copyright.
Items moved instantly. I suddenly understood: you can sell literally anything.
Now I frequent thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, hunting for quality items. I purchase something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
It's definitely work? Yes. It's a whole process. But there's something satisfying about discovering a diamond in the rough at Goodwill and earning from it.
Bonus: my kids think I'm cool when I find unique items. Just last week I scored a collectible item that my son went crazy for. Made $45 on it. Score one for mom.
Real Talk Time
Here's the thing nobody tells you: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. There's work involved, hence the name.
Some days when I'm running on empty, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm working before sunrise getting stuff done while it's quiet, then all day mom-ing, then back to work after bedtime.
But here's what matters? This income is mine. I don't have to ask permission to splurge on something nice. I'm supporting my family's finances. My kids are learning that moms can do anything.
Tips if You're Starting Out
If you want to start a side gig, here are my tips:
Start with one thing. You can't launch everything simultaneously. Start with one venture and get good at it before taking on more.
Use the time you have. Whatever time you have, that's okay. A couple of productive hours is valuable.
Stop comparing to Instagram moms. Those people with massive success? They put in years of work and doesn't do it alone. Focus on your own journey.
Invest in yourself, but smartly. You don't need expensive courses. Don't spend thousands on courses until you've validated your idea.
Batch your work. This is crucial. Set aside days for specific hustles. Monday could be making stuff day. Use Wednesday for organizing and responding.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
Let me be honest—mom guilt is a thing. There are days when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I hate it.
But I remind myself that I'm teaching them how to hustle. I'm demonstrating to my children that you can be both.
Plus? Earning independently has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me a better parent.
Income Reality Check
My actual income? Typically, between all my hustles, I make $3K-5K. Certain months are higher, some are tougher.
Will this make you wealthy? Nope. But we've used it to pay for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've stressed us out. Plus it's building my skills and expertise that could evolve into something huge.
Final Thoughts
Look, hustling as a mom isn't easy. It's not a secret sauce. Most days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, surviving on coffee, and praying it all works out.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Every bit of income is evidence of my capability. It shows that I'm more than just mom.
If you're thinking about beginning your hustle journey? Go for it. Begin before you're ready. Your tomorrow self will be so glad you did.
Always remember: You're more than making it through—you're building something. Even when there's probably old cheerios in your workspace.
For real. It's where it's at, mess included.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—being a single parent wasn't the dream. I also didn't plan on turning into an influencer. But fast forward to now, three years later, supporting my family by posting videos while parenting alone. And real talk? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Fell Apart
It was three years ago when my life exploded. I remember sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids slept. I had $847 in my checking account, two mouths to feed, and a income that didn't cut it. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's how we cope? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I came across this woman talking about how she made six figures through content creation. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or crazy. Sometimes both.
I installed the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, explaining how I'd just blown my final $12 on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' school lunches. I hit post and panicked. Why would anyone care about my mess?
Plot twist, thousands of people.
That video got 47K views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me almost lose it over $12 worth of food. The comments section became this safe space—fellow solo parents, other people struggling, all saying "me too." That was my aha moment. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted authentic.
Finding My Niche: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what they don't say about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the real one.
I started creating content about the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because I couldn't handle laundry. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner all week and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my daughter asked where daddy went, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who is six years old.
My content was raw. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what connected.
After sixty days, I hit 10K. Three months later, fifty thousand. By six months, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone felt surreal. These were real people who wanted to know my story. Me—a struggling single mom who had to ask Google what this meant not long ago.
The Daily Grind: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is nothing like those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do not want to move, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about single mom finances. Sometimes it's me making food while talking about dealing with my ex. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in parent mode—making breakfast, the shoe hunt (seriously, always ONE), making lunch boxes, stopping fights. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks at stop signs. Not proud of this, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. House is quiet. I'm editing videos, replying to DMs, thinking of ideas, sending emails, checking analytics. They believe content creation is only filming. It's not. It's a real job.
I usually create multiple videos on specific days. That means filming 10-15 videos in one go. I'll change clothes so it looks like different days. Advice: Keep multiple tops nearby for quick changes. My neighbors think I've lost it, talking to my camera in the backyard.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Parent time. But this is where it's complicated—frequently my viral videos come from the chaos. A few days ago, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I said no to a expensive toy. I made content in the Target parking lot afterward about handling public tantrums as a single parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm generally wiped out to make videos, but I'll schedule content, reply to messages, or outline content. Some nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll edit videos until midnight because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just managed chaos with some victories.
Income Breakdown: How I Really Earn Money
Okay, let's talk numbers because this is what people ask about. Can you really earn income as a online creator? Absolutely. Is it effortless? Nope.
My first month, I made zilch. Second month? Also nothing. Month three, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to feature a meal box. I cried real tears. That one-fifty fed us.
Today, three years in, 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, children's products. I bill anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per campaign, depending on what they need. This past month, I did four brand deals and made eight grand.
TikTok Fund: Creator fund pays not much—two to four hundred per month for millions of views. YouTube ad revenue is better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took forever.
Affiliate Marketing: I share links to items I love—everything from my favorite coffee maker to the kids' beds. If anyone buys, I get a cut. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Online Products: I created a money management guide and a meal planning ebook. $15 apiece, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another $1,000-1,500.
Teaching Others: Other aspiring creators pay me to show them how. I offer 1:1 sessions for two hundred dollars. I do about five to ten per month.
My total income: Generally, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month at this point. It varies, some are lower. It's inconsistent, which is scary when you're the only income source. But it's triple what I made at my previous job, and I'm available for my kids.
The Dark Side Nobody Talks About
From the outside it's great until you're losing it because a post got no views, or managing hate comments from strangers who think they know your life.
The hate comments are real. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm problematic, told I'm fake about being a single mom. One person said, "No wonder he left." That one destroyed me.
The platform changes. One month you're getting insane views. The following week, you're struggling for views. Your income varies wildly. You're always on, 24/7, nervous about slowing down, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is intense times a thousand. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this too much? Is this okay? Will they hate me for this when they're teenagers? I have clear boundaries—protected identities, keeping their stories private, nothing humiliating. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The I get burnt out. Some weeks when I have nothing. When I'm touched out, talked out, and just done. But the mortgage is due. So I show up anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's what's real—despite everything, this journey has blessed me with things I never dreamed of.
Financial stability for the first time ever. I'm not a millionaire, but I became debt-free. I have an savings. We took a family trip last summer—Disney World, which I never thought possible a couple years back. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or lose income. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a field trip, I'm present. I'm available in ways I wasn't able to be with a normal job.
Support that saved me. The other creators I've met, especially single moms, have become real friends. We vent, help each other, lift each other up. My followers have become this amazing support system. They hype me up, support me, and validate me.
Me beyond motherhood. Since becoming a mom, I have something for me. I'm not defined by divorce or only a parent. I'm a entrepreneur. A content creator. Someone who created this.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a single mom wanting to start, here's my advice:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. It's fine. You get better, not by waiting.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your honest life—the chaos. That's the magic.
Keep them safe. Set boundaries early. Have standards. Their privacy is the priority. I don't use their names, minimize face content, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Build multiple income streams. Don't rely on just one platform or one income stream. The algorithm is unreliable. Multiple streams = safety.
Batch create content. When you have free time, make a bunch. Next week you will thank yourself when you're burnt out.
Connect with followers. Answer comments. Reply to messages. Connect authentically. Your community is everything.
Monitor what works. Some content isn't worth it. If something requires tons of time and flops while something else takes no time and blows up, pivot.
Prioritize yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Step away. Guard your energy. Your wellbeing matters more than going viral.
This takes time. This is a marathon. It took me ages to make decent money. The first year, I made maybe $15,000 total. Year 2, eighty thousand. Year three, I'm on track for six figures. It's a process.
Stay connected to your purpose. On difficult days—and trust me, there will be—think about your why. For me, it's financial freedom, time with my children, and proving to myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
Being Real With You
Look, I'm telling the truth. Content creation as a single mom is difficult. Like, really freaking hard. You're managing a business while being the sole caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
Certain days I doubt myself. Days when the nasty comments affect me. Days when I'm completely spent and asking myself if I should go back to corporate with benefits and a steady paycheck.
But then suddenly my daughter says 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 broke, scared, and had no idea what to do. Currently, I'm a full-time creator making way more than I made in my old job, and I'm present for everything.
My goals for the future? Get to half a million followers by this year. Launch a podcast for solo parents. Consider writing a book. Keep growing this business that supports my family.
Being a creator gave me a way out when I was desperate. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be present in their lives, and create something meaningful. It's unexpected, but it's where I belong.
To every single mom out there on the fence: You absolutely can. It isn't simple. You'll doubt yourself. But you're managing the most difficult thing—single parenting. You're powerful.
Start imperfect. Stay consistent. Guard your peace. And know this, you're beyond survival mode—you're creating something amazing.
Time to go, I need to go film a TikTok about another last-minute project and I'm just now hearing about it. Because that's this life—chaos becomes content, one video at a time.
Honestly. This path? It's everything. Even though there's probably crumbs stuck to my laptop right now. That's the dream, imperfectly perfect.