Let me spill, mom life is literally insane. But plot twist? Attempting to get that bread while handling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
This whole thing started for me about three years ago when I discovered that my Target runs were way too frequent. It was time to get my own money.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Right so, I started out was becoming a virtual assistant. And not gonna lie? It was perfect. It let me get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and literally all it took was my laptop and decent wifi.
Initially I was doing simple tasks like organizing inboxes, managing social content, and basic admin work. Not rocket science. I charged about $20/hour, which seemed low but as a total beginner, you gotta prove yourself first.
What cracked me up? There I was on a video meeting looking like I had my life together from the chest up—looking corporate—while sporting my rattiest leggings. Main character energy.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
About twelve months in, I wanted to explore the handmade marketplace scene. All my mom friends seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I was like "why not me?"
I created designing printable planners and digital art prints. Here's why printables are amazing? You create it once, and it can make money while you sleep. Genuinely, I've made sales at ungodly hours.
My first sale? I literally screamed. My partner was like something was wrong. Nope—just me, cheering about my glorious $4.99. Don't judge me.
Content Creator Life
Next I started the whole influencer thing. This one is playing the long game, real talk.
I launched a blog about motherhood where I shared real mom life—the messy truth. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Only real talk about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Getting readers was slow. At the beginning, I was essentially talking to myself. But I stayed consistent, and eventually, things took off.
Currently? I make money through promoting products, working with brands, and ad revenue. Recently I earned over two thousand dollars from my blog alone. Wild, right?
SMM Side Hustle
After I learned managing my blog's social media, other businesses started reaching out if I could do the same for them.
Here's the thing? Many companies are terrible with social media. They know they should be posting, but they don't know how.
Enter: me. I handle social media for a handful of clients—different types of businesses. I plan their content, schedule posts, engage with followers, and monitor performance.
My rate is between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per account, depending on what they need. Best part? I handle this from my phone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If you can write, content writing is seriously profitable. I'm not talking writing the next Great American Novel—I mean commercial writing.
Companies constantly need fresh content. I've written everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. Being an expert isn't required, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
Generally charge fifty to one hundred fifty bucks per piece, depending on the topic and length. Some months I'll write a dozen articles and earn an extra $1,000-2,000.
What's hilarious: I was the person who struggled with essays. Now I'm a professional writer. Life's funny like that.
Virtual Tutoring
After lockdown started, everyone needed online help. I was a teacher before kids, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I started working with various tutoring services. The scheduling is flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
I focus on elementary school stuff. Rates vary from $15-$25/hour depending on which site you use.
What's hilarious? There are times when my own kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I've had to teach fractions while my toddler screamed about the wrong color cup. The parents on the other end are incredibly understanding because they understand mom life.
Flipping Items for Profit
Here me out, this hustle I stumbled into. During a massive cleanout my kids' closet and listed some clothes on Mercari.
They sold immediately. I had an epiphany: 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 grab something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
Is it a lot of work? Yes. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But it's oddly satisfying about finding a gem at the thrift store and earning from it.
Plus: the kids think it's neat when I discover weird treasures. Last week I scored a retro toy that my son freaked out about. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom for the win.
The Honest Reality
Truth bomb incoming: side hustles take work. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
There are moments when I'm completely drained, questioning my life choices. I'm grinding at dawn being productive before the madness begins, then all day mom-ing, then more hustle time after 8pm hits.
But here's what matters? I earned this money. I don't have to ask permission to buy the fancy coffee. I'm adding to our financial goals. I'm showing my kids that you can be both.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you're thinking about a side gig, here's what I'd tell you:
Don't go all in immediately. Avoid trying to juggle ten things. Start with one venture and become proficient before expanding.
Be realistic about time. Your available hours, that's okay. A couple of productive hours is valuable.
Avoid comparing yourself to what you see online. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? She's been grinding forever and has support. Do your thing.
Invest in yourself, but carefully. Free information exists. Don't spend massive amounts on training until you've proven the concept.
Work in batches. I learned this the hard way. Dedicate time blocks for different things. Use Monday for creation day. Wednesday might be administrative work.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
I'm not gonna lie—I struggle with guilt. There are times when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I hate it.
But then I remind myself that I'm modeling for them how to hustle. I'm demonstrating to my children that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
Plus? Making my own money has made me a better mom. I'm more content, which makes me more patient.
Income Reality Check
The real numbers? Most months, combining everything, I pull in $3K-5K. Some months are better, it fluctuates.
Is it life-changing money? Nope. But this money covers so many things we needed that would've been impossible otherwise. It's also developing my career and expertise that could evolve into something huge.
Final Thoughts
Look, being a mom with a side hustle is hard. There's no perfect balance. Most days I'm making it up as I go, running on coffee and determination, and crossing my fingers.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Every dollar earned is proof that I can do hard things. It's proof that I'm a multifaceted person.
If you're thinking about diving into this? Go for it. Start messy. You in six months will thank you.
Keep in mind: You're more than making it through—you're growing something incredible. Even when there's likely old cheerios in your workspace.
Seriously. It's the life, chaos and all.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Here's the truth—single motherhood wasn't part of my five-year plan. I never expected to be becoming a content creator. But fast forward to now, three years into this wild journey, paying bills by creating content while doing this mom thing solo. And I'll be real? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Fell Apart
It was three years ago when my divorce happened. I remember sitting in my mostly empty place (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), wide awake at 2am while my kids were finally quiet. I had $847 in my bank account, two mouths to feed, and a salary that was a joke. The panic was real, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to avoid my thoughts—because that's how we cope? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I saw this woman discussing how she changed her life through being a creator. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or both. Often both.
I installed the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, explaining how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a cheap food for my kids' school lunches. I hit post and panicked. Who wants to watch someone's train wreck of a life?
Apparently, thousands of people.
That video got 47K views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me get emotional over $12 worth of food. The comments section became this safe space—other single moms, people living the same reality, all saying "this is my life." That was my epiphany. People didn't want perfection. They wanted honest.
My Brand Evolution: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what they don't say about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? It found me. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started posting about the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I didn't change pants for days because laundry felt impossible. Or when I gave them breakfast for dinner multiple nights and called it "survival mode." Or that moment when my child asked about the divorce, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content was raw. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was authentic, and apparently, that's what connected.
After sixty days, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, 50,000. By month six, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone seemed fake. Real accounts who wanted to know my story. Me—a struggling single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" months before.
The Daily Grind: Managing It All
Here's the reality of my typical day, because this life is not at all like those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do not want to move, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a getting ready video talking about money struggles. 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 wake up. Content creation stops. Now I'm in parent mode—cooking eggs, the shoe hunt (it's always one shoe), making lunch boxes, mediating arguments. The chaos is next level.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom making videos while driving at stop signs. I know, I know, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. Peace and quiet. I'm in editing mode, being social, ideating, reaching out to brands, looking at stats. Everyone assumes content creation is only filming. Nope. It's a full business.
I usually batch-create content on certain days. That means filming 10-15 videos in one sitting. I'll switch outfits so it looks like different days. Life hack: Keep different outfits accessible for easy transitions. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, recording myself alone in the yard.
3:00pm: School pickup. Mom mode activated. But plot twist—often my biggest hits come from these after-school moments. A few days ago, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I said no to a forty dollar toy. I made content in the car once we left about dealing with meltdowns as a single mom. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: Dinner through bedtime. I'm completely exhausted to film, but I'll plan posts, answer messages, or prep for tomorrow. Often, after they're down, I'll stay up editing because a partnership is due.
The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just organized chaos with occasional wins.
The Money Talk: How I Generate Income
Okay, let's talk numbers because this is what you're wondering. Can you really earn income as a content creator? 100%. Is it effortless? Not even close.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Month two? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to promote a meal kit service. I cried real tears. That hundred fifty dollars fed us.
Fast forward, three years later, here's how I make money:
Sponsored Content: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that fit my niche—practical items, parenting tools, kid essentials. I bill anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per collaboration, depending on what they need. Just last month, I did four partnerships and made eight grand.
Ad Money: TikTok's creator fund pays not much—a few hundred dollars per month for tons of views. YouTube money is better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that was a long process.
Affiliate Links: I promote products to products I actually use—anything from my go-to coffee machine to the bunk beds I bought. If someone clicks and buys, I get a percentage. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Digital Products: I created a budget template and a food prep planner. $15 apiece, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
Consulting Services: New creators pay me to show them how. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for two hundred dollars. I do about 5-10 per month.
Overall monthly earnings: Most months, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month currently. Certain months are better, some are tougher. It's up and down, which is scary when you're the only income source. But it's three times what I made at my old job, and I'm there for them.
What They Don't Show Nobody Talks About
It looks perfect online until you're having a breakdown because a video flopped, or handling cruel messages from random people.
The haters are brutal. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm exploiting my kids, questioned about being a solo parent. this breakdown A commenter wrote, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one destroyed me.
The platform changes. Sometimes you're getting millions of views. The following week, you're lucky to break 1,000. Your income is unstable. You're never off, 24/7, worried that if you take a break, you'll lose relevance.
The mom guilt is worse beyond normal. Each post, I wonder: Am I sharing too much? Is this okay? Will they regret this when they're older? I have strict rules—protected identities, keeping their stories private, no embarrassing content. But the line is not always clear.
The I get burnt out. There are weeks when I am empty. When I'm touched out, socially drained, and at my limit. But life doesn't stop. So I push through.
The Beautiful Parts
But here's what's real—even with the struggles, this journey has brought me things I never imagined.
Money security for once in my life. I'm not loaded, but I became debt-free. I have an cushion. We took a vacation last summer—Disney, which seemed impossible two years ago. I don't panic about money anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or panic. I worked anywhere. When there's a class party, I can go. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't manage with a traditional 9-5.
My people that saved me. The fellow creators I've found, especially solo parents, have become actual friends. We support each other, collaborate, encourage each other. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They support me, encourage me through rough patches, and validate me.
Me beyond motherhood. Since becoming a mom, I have something for me. I'm not defined by divorce or somebody's mother. I'm a content creator. A creator. Someone who made it happen.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a solo parent wanting to start, listen up:
Just start. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. It's fine. You grow through creating, not by waiting.
Authenticity wins. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your actual life—the unfiltered truth. That resonates.
Prioritize their privacy. Create rules. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is everything. I never share their names, protect their faces, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Multiple revenue sources. Spread it out or one income stream. The algorithm is unpredictable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Film multiple videos. When you have free time, film multiple videos. Tomorrow you will thank yourself when you're unable to film.
Interact. Engage. Answer DMs. Be real with them. Your community is everything.
Track your time and ROI. Be strategic. If something takes forever and flops while something else takes minutes and gets 200,000 views, change tactics.
Take care of yourself. You need to fill your cup. Take breaks. Set boundaries. Your mental health matters more than going viral.
Stay patient. This requires patience. It took me half a year to make any real money. Year one, I made fifteen thousand. The second year, $80,000. Year 3, I'm hitting six figures. It's a long game.
Stay connected to your purpose. On tough days—and there are many—remember your reason. For me, it's independence, being there, and proving to myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
Being Real With You
Listen, I'm telling the truth. Content creation as a single mom is hard. Incredibly hard. You're operating a business while being the sole caretaker of children who require constant attention.
Some days I doubt myself. Days when the negativity sting. Days when I'm drained and questioning if I should quit this with consistent income.
But then my daughter mentions she's happy I'm here. Or I check my balance and see money. Or I receive a comment from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I understand the impact.
My Future Plans
Years ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea what to do. Fast forward, I'm a professional creator making more than I imagined in my old job, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals for the future? Hit 500K by end of year. Launch a podcast for other single moms. Possibly write a book. Continue building this business that supports my family.
Being a creator gave me a path forward when I had nothing. It gave me a way to take care of my children, show up, and accomplish something incredible. It's unexpected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To every single mom out there thinking about starting: Yes you can. It will be challenging. You'll consider quitting. But you're managing the hardest job in the world—raising humans alone. You're stronger than you think.
Jump in messy. Stay the course. Keep your boundaries. And know this, you're not just surviving—you're building something incredible.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go film a TikTok about homework I forgot about and I just learned about it. Because that's this life—turning chaos into content, one TikTok at a time.
No cap. This path? It's the best decision. Despite I'm sure there's crumbs everywhere. Living the dream, chaos and all.