Let me tell you, mom life is literally insane. But you know what's even crazier? Attempting to secure the bag while handling toddlers and their chaos.
I entered the side gig world about a few years back when I had the epiphany that my impulse buys were getting out of hand. It was time to get my own money.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Okay so, I kicked things off was becoming a virtual assistant. And not gonna lie? It was chef's kiss. It let me get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and all I needed was a computer and internet.
I began by simple tasks like email sorting, managing social content, and entering data. Super simple stuff. My rate was about $15-20 per hour, which seemed low but when you're just starting, you gotta start somewhere.
Honestly the most hilarious thing? There I was on a Zoom call looking all professional from the shoulders up—looking corporate—while sporting pajama bottoms. Main character energy.
Selling on Etsy
About twelve months in, I wanted to explore the handmade marketplace scene. Literally everyone seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I was like "why not join the party?"
I started crafting digital planners and digital art prints. Here's why printables are amazing? Design it once, and it can make money while you sleep. Genuinely, I've gotten orders at ungodly hours.
My first sale? I actually yelled. He came running thinking something was wrong. Negative—just me, cheering about my five dollar sale. No shame in my game.
The Content Creation Grind
Next I started creating content online. This venture is not for instant gratification seekers, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
I launched a blog about motherhood where I documented what motherhood actually looks like—the messy truth. Keeping it real. Simply the actual truth about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Growing an audience was a test of patience. At the beginning, I was essentially my only readers were my mom and two bots. But I kept at it, and slowly but surely, things gained momentum.
Currently? I generate revenue through promoting products, sponsored posts, and ad revenue. Just last month I brought in over $2,000 from my website. Wild, right?
The Social Media Management Game
Once I got decent at running my own socials, other businesses started asking if I could do the same for them.
Here's the thing? Tons of businesses don't understand social media. They know they need to be there, but they don't know how.
I swoop in. I currently run social media for a handful of clients—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I develop content, plan their posting schedule, handle community management, and track analytics.
I bill between $500-1500 per month per business, depending on the scope of work. Here's what's great? I can do most of it from my phone.
Freelance Writing Life
If you can write, freelance writing is seriously profitable. I don't mean becoming Shakespeare—this is business content.
Businesses everywhere constantly need fresh content. 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.
I typically bill between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on how complex it is. Some months I'll create ten to fifteen pieces and bring in a couple thousand dollars.
What's hilarious: I was that student who hated writing papers. Currently I'm getting paid for it. Talk about character development.
Tutoring Online
When COVID hit, everyone needed online help. As a former educator, so this was right up my alley.
I joined several tutoring platforms. You choose when you work, which is crucial when you have unpredictable little ones.
My sessions are usually elementary reading and math. You can make from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on the platform.
Here's what's weird? Occasionally my children will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I've literally had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. Other parents are very sympathetic because they're living the same life.
Flipping Items for Profit
Here me out, this hustle wasn't planned. I was cleaning out my kids' closet and listed some clothes on copyright.
Stuff sold out instantly. I had an epiphany: there's a market for everything.
Currently I visit secondhand stores and sales, searching for things that will sell. I'll buy something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's labor-intensive? Yes. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But I find it rewarding about finding hidden treasures at a garage sale and making money.
Additionally: my children are fascinated when I find unique items. Last week I discovered a collectible item that my son went crazy for. Made $45 on it. Mom for the win.
The Honest Reality
Truth bomb incoming: side hustles aren't passive income. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
Some days when I'm exhausted, wondering why I'm doing this. I'm grinding at dawn hustling before the chaos starts, then doing all the mom stuff, then working again after the kids are asleep.
But this is what's real? That money is MINE. I can spend it guilt-free to splurge on something nice. I'm contributing to the family budget. I'm showing my kids that women can hustle.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you're considering a hustle of your own, here's my advice:
Don't go all in immediately. Don't try to do everything at once. Focus on one and get good at it before expanding.
Be realistic about time. If naptime is your only free time, that's totally valid. Whatever time you can dedicate is more than enough to start.
Stop comparing to the highlight reels. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? They've been at it for years and doesn't do it alone. Do your thing.
Learn and grow, but smartly. Free information exists. Don't spend massive amounts on training until you've tried things out.
Work in batches. I learned this the hard way. Dedicate certain times for certain work. Use Monday for writing day. Wednesday might be administrative work.
The Mom Guilt is Real
Real talk—I struggle with guilt. Sometimes when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I feel guilty.
Yet I consider that I'm teaching them work ethic. I'm demonstrating to my children that moms can have businesses.
And honestly? Financial independence has improved my mental health. I'm happier, which helps me be better.
The Numbers
My actual income? Typically, between all my hustles, I earn between three and five grand. Some months are better, it fluctuates.
Is this millionaire money? Not really. But it's paid for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've been really hard. It's also creating opportunities and knowledge that could evolve into something huge.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, doing this mom hustle thing is challenging. You won't find a one-size-fits-all approach. A lot of days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and crossing my fingers.
But I'm proud of this journey. Each dollar earned is validation of my effort. It's proof that I have identity beyond motherhood.
For anyone contemplating diving into this? Take the leap. Begin before you're ready. Your tomorrow self will be grateful.
And remember: You're more than enduring—you're hustling. Even though there's probably mysterious crumbs everywhere.
For real. The whole thing is pretty amazing, mess included.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Here's the truth—single motherhood wasn't on my vision board. I never expected to be building a creator business. But fast forward to now, years into this crazy ride, earning income by creating content while doing this mom thing solo. And honestly? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Fell Apart
It was a few years ago when my relationship fell apart. I can still picture sitting in my half-empty apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), wide awake at 2am while my kids slept. I had $847 in my bank account, two mouths to feed, and a job that barely covered rent. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to escape reality—because that's how we cope? when everything is chaos, right?—when I saw this divorced mom talking about how she changed her life through content creation. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Maybe both. Usually both.
I downloaded the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, venting about how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' lunches. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Why would anyone care about my mess?
Apparently, a lot of people.
That video got 47K views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me nearly cry over $12 worth of food. The comments section became this incredible community—fellow solo parents, other people struggling, all saying "me too." That was my epiphany. People didn't want perfection. They wanted authentic.
Discovering My Voice: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started sharing the stuff no one shows. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because executive dysfunction is real. Or when I fed my kids cereal for dinner multiple nights and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my kid asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was unfiltered, and evidently, that's what worked.
After sixty days, I hit ten thousand followers. Three months later, 50,000. By half a year, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone felt surreal. These were real people who wanted to hear what I had to say. Plain old me—a struggling single mom who had to ask Google what this meant six months earlier.
The Daily Grind: Balancing Content and Chaos
Let me show you of my typical day, because creating content solo is nothing like those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my work time. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me discussing single mom finances. Sometimes it's me cooking while discussing dealing with my ex. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation ends. Now I'm in survival mode—feeding humans, hunting for that one shoe (why is it always one shoe), throwing food in bags, breaking up sibling fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom making videos while driving at stop signs. Don't judge me, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. Kids are at school. I'm in editing mode, responding to comments, thinking of ideas, pitching brands, analyzing metrics. They believe content creation is simple. Absolutely not. It's a real job.
I usually create multiple videos on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means making a dozen videos in a few hours. I'll change shirts between videos so it looks varied. Life hack: Keep wardrobe options close for easy transitions. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, making videos in public in the parking lot.
3:00pm: School pickup. Transition back to mom mode. But this is where it's complicated—often my top performing content come from these after-school moments. Recently, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I refused to get a expensive toy. I created a video in the car once we left about surviving tantrums as a single mom. It got millions of views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm completely exhausted to make videos, but I'll schedule uploads, reply to messages, or outline content. Many nights, after bedtime, I'll edit videos until midnight because a client needs content.
The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just controlled chaos with moments of success.
The Financial Reality: How I Support My Family
Alright, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you really earn income as a online creator? Absolutely. Is it simple? Hell no.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Month two? Also nothing. Month three, I got my first sponsored post—one hundred fifty dollars to promote a food subscription. I broke down. That hundred fifty dollars covered food.
Now, years later, here's how I generate revenue:
Brand Deals: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that fit my niche—things that help, parenting tools, children's products. I charge anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per campaign, depending on the scope. Just last month, I did four collabs and made eight thousand dollars.
Platform Payments: TikTok's creator fund pays very little—a few hundred dollars per month for millions of views. YouTube ad revenue is way better. I make about $1.5K monthly from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Marketing: I share affiliate links to stuff I really use—anything from my beloved coffee maker to the kids' beds. If someone purchases through my link, I get a commission. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Online Products: I created a single mom budget planner and a food prep planner. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another $1,000-1,500.
Consulting Services: Other aspiring creators pay me to teach them the ropes. I offer 1:1 sessions for two hundred per hour. I do about 5-10 each month.
Combined monthly revenue: Most months, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month these days. Certain months are better, some are lower. It's up and down, which is stressful when you're solo. But it's 3x what I made at my 9-5, and I'm present.
What They Don't Show Nobody Posts About
From the outside it's great until you're crying in your car because a video didn't perform, or managing hate comments from strangers who think they know your life.
The negativity is intense. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm a bad influence, called a liar about being a solo parent. A commenter wrote, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one destroyed me.
The algorithm is unpredictable. Sometimes you're getting millions of views. The following week, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income varies wildly. You're never off, never resting, scared to stop, you'll fall behind.
The guilt is crushing beyond normal. Each post, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I doing right by them? Will they hate me for this when they're teenagers? I have strict rules—no faces of my kids without permission, nothing too personal, nothing that could embarrass them. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout is real. There are weeks when I have nothing. When I'm the key reference depleted, talked out, and totally spent. But life doesn't stop. So I do it anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But listen—despite everything, this journey has brought me things I never anticipated.
Economic stability for once in my life. I'm not a millionaire, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an savings. We took a vacation last summer—Disney World, which seemed impossible a couple years back. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to use PTO or panic. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a class party, I can go. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't be with a regular job.
Support that saved me. The other creators I've met, especially other moms, have become actual friends. We talk, exchange tips, encourage each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They hype me up, send love, and show me I'm not alone.
My own identity. After years, I have something for me. I'm not defined by divorce or somebody's mother. I'm a business owner. An influencer. Someone who created this.
My Best Tips
If you're a solo parent thinking about this, here's what I'd tell you:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You grow through creating, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Keep it real. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your honest life—the chaos. That's what connects.
Prioritize their privacy. Set boundaries early. Be intentional. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I keep names private, rarely show their faces, and protect their stories.
Diversify income streams. Spread it out or one way to earn. The algorithm is fickle. Multiple streams = safety.
Create in batches. When you have free time, make a bunch. Tomorrow you will thank present you when you're unable to film.
Engage with your audience. Respond to comments. Answer DMs. Connect authentically. Your community is your foundation.
Monitor what works. Some content isn't worth it. If something requires tons of time and gets nothing while another video takes very little time and gets massive views, pivot.
Take care of yourself. You matter too. Unplug. Guard your energy. Your health matters most.
Give it time. This takes time. It took me ages to make any real money. My first year, I made fifteen thousand. The second year, eighty grand. Year 3, I'm on track for six figures. It's a marathon.
Know your why. On bad days—and trust me, there will be—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's financial freedom, flexibility with my kids, and validating that I'm capable of anything.
The Reality Check
Here's the deal, I'm keeping it 100. Content creation as a single mom is challenging. Like, really freaking hard. You're running a whole business while being the single caregiver of kids who need everything.
Many days I question everything. Days when the trolls sting. Days when I'm drained and questioning if I should go back to corporate with stability.
But then my daughter shares 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 inspired her. And I understand the impact.
What's Next
Years ago, I was terrified and clueless how to survive. Now, I'm a content creator making more than I imagined in traditional work, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500,000 followers by year-end. Launch a podcast for solo parents. Possibly write a book. Expand this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Content creation gave me a second chance when I had nothing. It gave me a way to feed my babies, show up, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's not the path I expected, but it's where I belong.
To all the single moms considering this: Yes you can. It won't be easy. You'll struggle. But you're currently doing the hardest job in the world—raising humans alone. You're tougher than you realize.
Start messy. Be consistent. Guard your peace. And don't forget, you're beyond survival mode—you're creating something amazing.
Gotta go now, I need to go make a video about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and I just learned about it. Because that's the reality—chaos becomes content, one post at a time.
Seriously. Being a single mom creator? It's worth every struggle. Even though there's definitely crushed cheerios stuck to my laptop right now. Living the dream, mess included.