Let me tell you, being a mom is a whole vibe. But what's really wild? Trying to earn extra income while dealing with tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
This whole thing started for me about a few years back when I had the epiphany that my retail therapy sessions were way too frequent. I was desperate for my own money.
Being a VA
So, my first gig was jumping into virtual assistance. And I'll be real? It was chef's kiss. It let me hustle while the kids slept, and all I needed was my laptop and decent wifi.
My first tasks were simple tasks like organizing inboxes, managing social content, and data entry. Not rocket science. I charged about $20/hour, which seemed low but when you're just starting, you gotta prove yourself first.
Here's what was wild? Picture this: me on a Zoom call looking like I had my life together from the shoulders up—business casual vibes—while rocking sweatpants. Peak mom life.
Selling on Etsy
Once I got comfortable, I ventured into the selling on Etsy. All my mom friends seemed to be on Etsy, so I thought "why not get in on this?"
I started making digital planners and digital art prints. The beauty of printables? You create it once, and it can make money while you sleep. Actually, I've earned money at ungodly hours.
My first sale? I actually yelled. He came running thinking something was wrong. Negative—I was just, doing a happy dance for my $4.99 sale. No shame in my game.
Content Creator Life
Eventually I ventured into the whole influencer thing. This hustle is playing the long game, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
I started a family lifestyle blog where I documented the chaos of parenting—the good, the bad, and the ugly. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Just real talk about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Building up views was a test of patience. The first few months, I was basically creating content for crickets. But I persisted, and eventually, things began working.
Now? I earn income through affiliate links, brand partnerships, and ad revenue. Recently I generated over two grand from my blog alone. Mind-blowing, right?
SMM Side Hustle
When I became good with running my own socials, local businesses started inquiring if I could run their social media.
And honestly? Tons of businesses don't understand social media. They recognize they need a presence, but they don't have time.
This is my moment. I now manage social media for three local businesses—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I create content, schedule posts, respond to comments, and check their stats.
I bill between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per business, depending on the scope of work. What I love? I manage everything from my phone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If you can write, writing gigs is seriously profitable. I don't mean literary fiction—I mean business content.
Brands and websites need content constantly. My assignments have included everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. Being an expert isn't required, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
On average charge between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on the topic and length. Certain months I'll create 10-15 articles and pull in an extra $1,000-2,000.
The funny thing is: I was the person who thought writing was torture. Now I'm a professional writer. Life's funny like that.
Tutoring Online
When COVID hit, online tutoring exploded. As a former educator, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I signed up with several tutoring platforms. It's super flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have children who keep you guessing.
I mainly help with K-5 subjects. You can make from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on the platform.
What's hilarious? There are times when my kids will burst into the room mid-session. I've had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. Other parents are very sympathetic because they're living the same life.
Reselling and Flipping
So, this particular venture started by accident. I was cleaning out my kids' stuff and posted some items on Facebook Marketplace.
They sold so fast. I had an epiphany: people will buy anything.
Now I frequent anywhere with deals, looking for quality items. I'll buy something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
This takes effort? Not gonna lie. It's a whole process. But it's strangely fulfilling about finding hidden treasures at Goodwill and making profit.
Additionally: my kids are impressed when I find unique items. Recently I found a contextual reference a rare action figure that my son freaked out about. Sold it for $45. Mom for the win.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Here's the thing nobody tells you: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
There are days when I'm running on empty, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm up at 5am being productive before the madness begins, then handling mom duties, then back at it after the kids are asleep.
But here's what matters? That money is MINE. I'm not asking anyone to treat myself. I'm contributing to the family budget. My kids see that you can have it all—sort of.
Tips if You're Starting Out
If you want to start a side gig, here are my tips:
Don't go all in immediately. Don't attempt to juggle ten things. Pick one thing and become proficient before starting something else.
Honor your limits. Whatever time you have, that's totally valid. Even one focused hour is better than nothing.
Stop comparing to other moms. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? They put in years of work and has help. Run your own race.
Spend money on education, but wisely. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste $5,000 on a coaching program until you've proven the concept.
Work in batches. This changed everything. Use days for specific hustles. Monday might be creation day. Wednesday might be admin and emails.
The Mom Guilt is Real
I have to be real with you—mom guilt is a thing. There are times when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I hate it.
But I think about that I'm showing them how to hustle. I'm demonstrating to my children that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
And honestly? Making my own money has helped me feel more like myself. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me more patient.
Income Reality Check
So what do I actually make? Most months, total from all sources, I earn $3K-5K. It varies, it fluctuates.
Will this make you wealthy? Not really. But it's paid for so many things we needed that would've been really hard. Plus it's developing my career and skills that could grow into more.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, being a mom with a side hustle takes work. There's no secret sauce. A lot of days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, surviving on coffee, and praying it all works out.
But I'm proud of this journey. Every single bit of income is evidence of my capability. It shows that I have identity beyond motherhood.
If you're on the fence about diving into this? Go for it. Start messy. Your tomorrow self will be grateful.
Keep in mind: You're not just enduring—you're growing something incredible. Even if there's probably snack crumbs on your keyboard.
Not even kidding. This mom hustle life is where it's at, mess included.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—becoming a single mom wasn't the dream. I also didn't plan on becoming a content creator. But here I am, three years later, supporting my family by being vulnerable on the internet while parenting alone. And honestly? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Fell Apart
It was 2022 when my divorce happened. I can still picture sitting in my mostly empty place (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had barely $850 in my checking account, two humans depending on me, and a job that barely covered rent. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to avoid my thoughts—because that's what we do? when we're drowning, right?—when I found this solo parent sharing how she changed her life through content creation. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But when you're desperate, you try anything. Maybe both. Usually both.
I got the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Completely unpolished, talking about how I'd just spent my last $12 on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Who gives a damn about my mess?
Spoiler alert, way more people than I expected.
That video got 47,000 views. 47,000 people watched me breakdown over processed meat. The comments section turned into this incredible community—fellow solo parents, others barely surviving, all saying "me too." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want perfection. They wanted honest.
Building My Platform: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's the secret about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started creating content about the stuff no one shows. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner several days straight and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my child asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who believes in magic.
My content was raw. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was authentic, and evidently, that's what worked.
In just two months, I hit 10K. Three months later, 50,000. By half a year, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone felt surreal. Actual humans who wanted to hear what I had to say. Me—a broke single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" six months earlier.
The Actual Schedule: Balancing Content and Chaos
Here's the reality of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is the opposite of those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do absolutely not want to wake up, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a getting ready video discussing budgeting. Sometimes it's me making food while sharing co-parenting struggles. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.
7:00am: Kids emerge. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in full mom mode—making breakfast, locating lost items (seriously, always ONE), making lunch boxes, stopping fights. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom making videos while driving at red lights. Don't judge me, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. Peace and quiet. I'm editing content, being social, thinking of ideas, reaching out to brands, analyzing metrics. They believe content creation is just posting videos. Absolutely not. It's a full business.
I usually film in batches on Monday and Wednesday. That means creating 10-15 pieces in a few hours. I'll change clothes so it seems like separate days. Pro tip: Keep several shirts ready for quick changes. My neighbors think I've lost it, making videos in public in the backyard.
3:00pm: School pickup. Transition back to mom mode. But this is where it's complicated—sometimes my best content ideas come from real life. A few days ago, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I said no to a forty dollar toy. I made content in the car afterward about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: Dinner through bedtime. I'm generally wiped out to create content, but I'll schedule content, respond to DMs, or strategize. Often, after the kids are asleep, I'll edit videos until midnight because a deadline is coming.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just managed chaos with moments of success.
The Financial Reality: How I Generate Income
Look, let's discuss money because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you really earn income as a online creator? 100%. Is it simple? Nope.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Month two? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first paid partnership—$150 to promote a meal box. I actually cried. That one-fifty bought groceries for two weeks.
Currently, three years in, here's how I earn income:
Collaborations: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that align with my audience—affordable stuff, single-parent resources, family items. I bill anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per campaign, depending on the scope. This past month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made eight grand.
TikTok Fund: Creator fund pays pennies—two to four hundred per month for millions of views. YouTube money is more lucrative. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Income: I post links to products I actually use—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If someone clicks and buys, I get a percentage. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Downloadables: I created a single mom budget planner and a meal prep guide. $15 apiece, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Coaching/Consulting: New creators pay me to guide them. I offer private coaching for two hundred per hour. I do about several each month.
Combined monthly revenue: Typically, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month currently. Some months I make more, some are lower. It's variable, which is terrifying when you're the only income source. But it's triple what I made at my 9-5, and I'm home when my kids need me.
What They Don't Show Nobody Shows You
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're crying in your car because a post tanked, or reading nasty DMs from internet trolls.
The haters are brutal. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm a bad influence, called a liar about being a single mom. I'll never forget, "Maybe that's why he left." That one stung for days.
The algorithm changes constantly. Certain periods you're getting millions of views. The following week, you're getting nothing. Your income is unstable. You're never off, always "on", nervous about slowing down, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is amplified times a thousand. Everything I share, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Are my kids safe? Will they be angry about this when they're grown? I have clear boundaries—protected identities, no sharing their private stuff, no embarrassing content. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The exhaustion is real. Sometimes when I have nothing. When I'm depleted, talked out, and completely finished. But bills don't care about burnout. So I show up anyway.
What Makes It Worth It
But the truth is—despite everything, this journey has blessed me with things I never imagined.
Money security for the first damn time. I'm not wealthy, but I became debt-free. I have an cushion. We took a actual vacation last summer—the Mouse House, which I never thought possible a couple years back. I don't panic about money anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to call in to work or panic. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a class party, I attend. I'm available in ways I couldn't manage with a normal job.
Community that saved me. The other influencers I've befriended, especially solo parents, have become my people. We connect, share strategies, encourage each other. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They hype me up, send love, and validate me.
My own identity. Finally, I have my own thing. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or somebody's mother. I'm a content creator. A creator. Someone who created this.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a solo parent considering content creation, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. That's normal. You learn by doing, not by procrastinating.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your real life—the unfiltered truth. That resonates.
Protect your kids. Set limits. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I protect their names, rarely show their faces, and protect their stories.
Build multiple income streams. Spread it out or one way to earn. The algorithm is fickle. Diversification = security.
Batch create content. When you have available time, make a bunch. Next week you will thank present you when you're unable to film.
Build community. Respond to comments. Reply to messages. Create connections. Your community is your foundation.
Track metrics. Some content isn't worth it. If something is time-intensive and tanks while something else takes very little time and blows up, shift focus.
Self-care matters. You can't pour from an empty cup. Step away. Protect your peace. Your sanity matters more than anything.
Be patient. This is a marathon. It took me months to make decent money. The first year, I made maybe $15,000 total. Year 2, $80,000. Year three, I'm on track for six figures. It's a long game.
Stay connected to your purpose. On difficult days—and trust me, there will be—recall your purpose. For me, it's supporting my kids, being there, and validating that I'm stronger than I knew.
Being Real With You
Look, I'm being honest. This life is hard. So damn hard. You're operating a business while being the single caregiver of kids who need everything.
There are days I doubt myself. Days when the trolls affect me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and questioning if I should quit this with insurance.
But but then my daughter shares she appreciates this. Or I see financial progress. Or I receive a comment from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I understand the impact.
My Future Plans
Not long ago, I was lost and broke what to do. Today, I'm a content creator making way more than I made in my 9-5, and I'm present for everything.
My goals for the future? Hit 500K by this year. Begin podcasting for single moms. Write a book eventually. Keep growing this business that makes everything possible.
This journey gave me a way out when I was desperate. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be available, and create something meaningful. It's unexpected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To all the single moms wondering if you can do this: You absolutely can. It will be hard. You'll want to quit some days. But you're currently doing the toughest gig—doing this alone. You're tougher than you realize.
Start messy. Keep showing up. Protect your peace. And always remember, you're doing more than surviving—you're changing your life.
BRB, I need to go record a video about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and surprise!. Because that's the content creator single mom life—turning chaos into content, one post at a time.
Honestly. Being a single mom creator? It's everything. Even if there's definitely crumbs in my keyboard. Dream life, imperfectly perfect.