Here's the tea, mom life is not for the weak. But here's the thing? Working to earn extra income while managing children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I entered the side gig world about three years ago when I figured out that my impulse buys were getting out of hand. I had to find funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Being a VA
Here's what happened, my initial venture was doing VA work. And real talk? It was exactly what I needed. I was able to grind during those precious quiet hours, and the only requirement was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
My first tasks were easy things like organizing inboxes, managing social content, and data entry. Not rocket science. My rate was about fifteen dollars an hour, which seemed low but as a total beginner, you gotta prove yourself first.
The funniest part? Picture this: me on a Zoom call looking completely put together from the chest up—business casual vibes—while sporting sweatpants. Living my best life.
My Etsy Journey
Once I got comfortable, I thought I'd test out the Etsy world. All my mom friends seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I was like "why not start one too?"
I began creating printable planners and wall art. What's great about digital products? Design it once, and it can sell forever. Literally, I've made sales at midnight when I'm unconscious.
When I got my first order? I lost my mind. My partner was like something was wrong. Not even close—I was just, celebrating my glorious $4.99. I'm not embarrassed.
The Content Creation Grind
After that I started the whole influencer thing. This particular side gig is not for instant gratification seekers, trust me on this.
I launched a mom blog where I posted about my parenting journey—all of it, no filter. Not the highlight reel. Just authentic experiences about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Growing an audience was like watching paint dry. The first few months, I was basically my only readers were my mom and two bots. But I stayed consistent, and eventually, things started clicking.
Currently? I make money through affiliate marketing, collaborations, and ad revenue. Just last month I made over two thousand dollars from my blog income. Insane, right?
SMM Side Hustle
As I mastered managing my blog's social media, local businesses started reaching out if I could manage their accounts.
And honestly? Most small businesses struggle with social media. They recognize they need to be there, but they're too busy.
I swoop in. I oversee social media for three local businesses—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I develop content, plan their posting schedule, interact with their audience, and analyze the metrics.
My rate is between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per client, depending on the scope of work. Best part? I do this work from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
Writing for Money
If writing is your thing, freelance writing is seriously profitable. I'm not talking becoming Shakespeare—this is content writing for businesses.
Brands and websites always need writers. I've created content about everything from the most random topics. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
I typically earn $50-150 per article, depending on the topic and length. Some months I'll create ten to fifteen pieces and earn a couple thousand dollars.
Plot twist: Back in school I barely passed English class. And now I'm a professional writer. Life's funny like that.
Virtual Tutoring
2020 changed everything, everyone needed online help. I was a teacher before kids, so this was right up my alley.
I registered on several tutoring platforms. The scheduling is flexible, which is crucial when you have children who keep you guessing.
My sessions are usually K-5 subjects. The pay ranges from $15-$25/hour depending on where you work.
Here's what's weird? Sometimes my own kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I once had to be professional while chaos erupted behind me. The parents on the other end are usually super understanding because they're parents too.
Flipping Items for Profit
Okay, this particular venture I stumbled into. I was decluttering my kids' things and posted some items on various apps.
Stuff sold out instantly. Lightbulb moment: there's a market for everything.
Now I visit thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, looking for name brands. I'll buy something for $3 and sell it for $30.
It's labor-intensive? Absolutely. It's a whole process. But it's oddly satisfying about spotting valuable items at a garage sale and making money.
Plus: the kids think it's neat when I bring home interesting finds. Last week I found a collectible item that my son lost his mind over. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Mom for the win.
Real Talk Time
Real talk moment: side hustles take work. There's work involved, hence the name.
There are moments when I'm exhausted, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm up at 5am hustling before the chaos starts, then handling mom duties, then more hustle time after 8pm hits.
But here's what matters? That money is MINE. I'm not asking anyone to buy the fancy coffee. I'm contributing to our household income. My kids are learning that you can have it all—sort of.
Tips if You're a similar topic Starting Out
If you want to start a side hustle, here are my tips:
Start with one thing. Don't attempt to do everything at once. Focus on one and master it before starting something else.
Honor your limits. If you only have evenings, that's totally valid. Whatever time you can dedicate is better than nothing.
Comparison is the thief of joy to Instagram moms. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? She probably started years ago and has support. Run your own race.
Spend money on education, but wisely. There are tons of free resources. Avoid dropping massive amounts on training until you've tested the waters.
Batch your work. This saved my sanity. Dedicate specific days for specific tasks. Monday could be creation day. Wednesday could be admin and emails.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
Real talk—I struggle with guilt. There are days when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I hate it.
But I remind myself that I'm teaching them how to hustle. I'm demonstrating to my children that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
Additionally? Having my own income has improved my mental health. I'm happier, which helps me be better.
Income Reality Check
How much do I earn? Generally, between all my hustles, I make $3,000-5,000 per month. Some months are better, others are slower.
Is this millionaire money? Nope. But it's paid for so many things we needed that would've been impossible otherwise. Plus it's giving me confidence and expertise that could turn into something bigger.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship isn't easy. It's not a perfect balance. Many days I'm winging it, powered by caffeine, and crossing my fingers.
But I wouldn't change it. Each bit of income is a testament to my hustle. It's proof that I'm not just someone's mother.
For anyone contemplating starting a side hustle? Take the leap. Start before it's perfect. Your future self will thank you.
Don't forget: You're not merely making it through—you're hustling. Even though there's likely mysterious crumbs everywhere.
Not even kidding. This mom hustle life is incredible, despite the chaos.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Real talk—single motherhood was never the plan. I also didn't plan on becoming a content creator. But here we are, three years later, supporting my family by creating content while handling everything by myself. And not gonna lie? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Changed
It was a few years ago when my relationship fell apart. I will never forget sitting in my mostly empty place (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were finally quiet. I had less than a thousand dollars in my checking account, two humans depending on me, and a salary that was a joke. The panic was real, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to escape reality—because that's the move? in crisis mode, right?—when I saw this woman discussing how she changed her life through being a creator. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Or both. Often both.
I installed the TikTok creator 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 someone's train wreck of a life?
Turns out, tons of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me nearly cry over chicken nuggets. The comments section was this safe space—other single moms, folks in the trenches, all saying "same." That was my turning point. People didn't want perfection. They wanted authentic.
Discovering My Voice: The Unfiltered Mom Content
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? It chose me. I became the real one.
I started sharing the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I lived in one outfit because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I gave them breakfast for dinner all week and called it "survival mode." Or that moment when my kid asked about the divorce, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who is six years old.
My content was rough. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was unfiltered, and apparently, that's what hit.
After sixty days, I hit 10K. 90 days in, fifty thousand. By six months, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone felt impossible. These were real people who wanted to hear what I had to say. Plain old me—a broke single mom who had to learn everything from scratch not long ago.
The Actual Schedule: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because creating content solo is totally different from those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me talking about money struggles. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while sharing dealing with my ex. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in parent mode—pouring cereal, 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: Getting them to school. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks when stopped. I know, I know, but bills don't care.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. House is quiet. I'm editing content, responding to comments, ideating, reaching out to brands, reviewing performance. They believe content creation is just making TikToks. Absolutely not. It's a real job.
I usually create multiple videos on certain days. That means shooting multiple videos in one go. I'll change shirts between videos so it appears to be different times. Hot tip: Keep different outfits accessible for easy transitions. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, making videos in public in the driveway.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Transition back to mom mode. But here's the thing—sometimes my viral videos come from real life. Last week, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I refused to get a forty dollar toy. I created a video in the Target parking lot afterward about surviving tantrums as a single parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm typically drained to create anything, but I'll queue up posts, respond to DMs, or strategize. Many nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll work late because a client needs content.
The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just chaos with a plan with moments of success.
Let's Talk Income: How I Generate Income
Okay, let's discuss money because this is what people ask about. Can you really earn income as a online creator? 100%. Is it straightforward? Not even close.
My first month, I made zilch. Second month? Zero. Month three, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to post about a meal delivery. I literally cried. That $150 covered food.
Fast forward, years later, here's how I earn income:
Collaborations: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that make sense—practical items, parenting tools, kid essentials. I ask for anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per collaboration, depending on deliverables. Just last month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made $8K.
TikTok Fund: TikTok's creator fund pays very little—$200-$400 per month for millions of views. AdSense is actually decent. I make about $1.5K monthly from YouTube, but that took forever.
Link Sharing: I share affiliate links to things I own—ranging from my go-to coffee machine to the bunk beds in their room. If they buy using my link, I get a commission. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Digital Products: I created a financial planner and a meal prep guide. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell dozens per month. That's another $1-1.5K.
Consulting Services: Aspiring influencers pay me to show them how. I offer private coaching for $200/hour. I do about 5-10 each month.
My total income: Generally, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month currently. Certain months are better, others are slower. It's up and down, which is nerve-wracking when you're solo. But it's triple what I made at my previous job, and I'm there for them.
What They Don't Show Nobody Shows You
It looks perfect online until you're losing it because a video flopped, or reading vicious comments from keyboard warriors.
The negativity is intense. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm a bad influence, called a liar about being a single mom. I'll never forget, "I'd leave too." That one destroyed me.
The platform changes. One month you're getting viral hits. Next month, you're getting nothing. Your income fluctuates. You're constantly creating, never resting, nervous about slowing down, you'll lose momentum.
The mom guilt is amplified beyond normal. Everything I share, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Are my kids safe? Will they be angry about this when they're adults? I have clear boundaries—minimal identifying info, no sharing their private stuff, nothing humiliating. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The I get burnt out. Certain periods when I am empty. When I'm touched out, talked out, and completely finished. But rent doesn't care. So I create anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's the thing—even with the struggles, this journey has given me things I never expected.
Economic stability for once in my life. I'm not a millionaire, but I cleared $18K. I have an safety net. We took a actual vacation last summer—Disney World, which was a dream two years ago. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Time 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 anywhere. When there's a field trip, I'm present. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't be with a normal job.
Community that saved me. The other creators I've connected with, especially other single parents, have become actual friends. We support each other, share strategies, support each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They hype me up, lift me up, and remind me I'm not alone.
Identity beyond "mom". Finally, I have my own thing. I'm not just an ex or just a mom. I'm a business owner. A businesswoman. Someone who built something from nothing.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a single mother wanting to start, here's my advice:
Just start. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. That's normal. You learn by doing, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can tell when you're fake. Share your real life—the unfiltered truth. That's the magic.
Prioritize their privacy. Set limits. Know your limits. Their privacy is sacred. I never share their names, limit face shots, and respect their dignity.
Diversify income streams. Spread it out or one income stream. The algorithm is fickle. Diversification = security.
Batch create content. When you have free time, make a bunch. Tomorrow you will thank yourself when you're unable to film.
Interact. Engage. Answer DMs. Be real with them. Your community is what matters.
Track metrics. Some content isn't worth it. If something is time-intensive and gets nothing while something else takes no time and blows up, adjust your strategy.
Self-care matters. You need to fill your cup. Unplug. Create limits. Your sanity matters more than anything.
This takes time. This is a marathon. It took me months to make any real money. The first year, I made $15K total. Year 2, $80K. Year three, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a journey.
Stay connected to your purpose. On difficult days—and there are many—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's independence, time with my children, and demonstrating that I'm capable of anything.
The Honest Truth
Real talk, I'm keeping it 100. Being a single mom creator is difficult. Really hard. You're running a whole business while being the lone caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
Certain days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the trolls affect me. Days when I'm completely spent and wondering if I should go back to corporate with consistent income.
But and then my daughter says she appreciates this. Or I see financial progress. Or I receive a comment from a follower saying my content helped her leave an unhealthy relationship. And I remember my purpose.
My Future Plans
Three years ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea how to make it work. Fast forward, I'm a content creator making way more than I made in traditional work, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals moving forward? Reach 500K by year-end. Launch a podcast for single moms. Possibly write a book. Continue building this business that supports my family.
Content creation gave me a lifeline when I needed it most. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be there, 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 on the fence: You absolutely can. It isn't simple. You'll consider quitting. But you're handling the toughest gig—single parenting. You're more capable than you know.
Jump in messy. Keep showing up. Protect your peace. And don't forget, you're more than just surviving—you're building an empire.
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—making content from chaos, one TikTok at a time.
Honestly. Being a single mom creator? It's the best decision. Even when there's definitely crushed cheerios in my keyboard. Dream life, chaos and all.