Here's the tea, motherhood is a whole vibe. But you know what's even crazier? Trying to earn extra income while handling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
I started my side hustle journey about a few years back when I discovered that my random shopping trips were reaching dangerous levels. I was desperate for some independent income.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
So, I started out was becoming a virtual assistant. And honestly? It was ideal. I was able to get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and literally all it took was a computer and internet.
I began by basic stuff like handling emails, managing social content, and data entry. Pretty straightforward. I charged about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which seemed low but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta prove yourself first.
The funniest part? There I was on a video meeting looking like I had my life together from the chest up—looking corporate—while sporting pants I'd owned since 2015. Living my best life.
Selling on Etsy
Once I got comfortable, I decided to try the whole Etsy thing. Every mom I knew seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I was like "why not start one too?"
My shop focused on creating downloadable organizers and home decor prints. The thing about selling digital stuff? Design it once, and it can generate passive income forever. Literally, I've gotten orders at ungodly hours.
That initial sale? I actually yelled. He came running thinking there was an emergency. But no—it was just me, cheering about my glorious $4.99. No shame in my game.
Blogging and Creating
Then I ventured into the whole influencer thing. This venture is definitely a slow burn, trust me on this.
I launched a parenting blog where I wrote about my parenting journey—the good, the bad, and the ugly. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Just the actual truth about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Building up views was painfully slow. At the beginning, I was essentially writing for myself and like three people. But I stayed consistent, and slowly but surely, things gained momentum.
At this point? I generate revenue through affiliate marketing, collaborations, and display ads. This past month I made over $2K from my blog alone. Mind-blowing, right?
The Social Media Management Game
As I mastered my own content, other businesses started inquiring if I could help them.
Truth bomb? Many companies struggle with social media. They know they need to be there, but they don't have time.
I swoop in. I oversee social media for a handful of clients—different types of businesses. I plan their content, schedule posts, respond to comments, and check their stats.
My rate is between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per account, depending on the scope of work. The best thing? I handle this from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
Writing for Money
If writing is your thing, freelancing is seriously profitable. Not like becoming Shakespeare—I mean content writing for businesses.
Websites and businesses are desperate for content. I've written everything from dental hygiene to copyright. Being an expert isn't required, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
On average charge fifty to one hundred fifty bucks per piece, depending on what's involved. When I'm hustling hard I'll crank out fifteen articles and make one to two thousand extra.
Here's what's wild: I was the person who struggled with essays. Currently I'm a professional writer. Life's funny like that.
Virtual Tutoring
After lockdown started, virtual tutoring became huge. I used to be a teacher, so this was perfect for me.
I started working with VIPKid and Tutor.com. You make your own schedule, which is crucial when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
I focus on basic subjects. You can make from $15-$25/hour depending on where you work.
Here's what's weird? Every now and then my kids will photobomb my lessons mid-session. There was a time I be professional while chaos erupted behind me. Other parents are totally cool about it because they're parents too.
Reselling and Flipping
Here me out, this particular venture happened accidentally. During a massive cleanout my kids' room and tried selling some the full discussion outfits on various apps.
They sold instantly. I suddenly understood: one person's trash is another's treasure.
These days I frequent estate sales and thrift shops, looking for things that will sell. I purchase something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's definitely work? Yes. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But it's strangely fulfilling about spotting valuable items at a yard sale and making money.
Additionally: the kids think it's neat when I bring home interesting finds. Just last week I grabbed a retro toy that my son lost his mind over. Made $45 on it. Victory for mom.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Truth bomb incoming: side hustles take work. They're called hustles for a reason.
There are days when I'm running on empty, wondering why I'm doing this. I'm working before sunrise being productive before the madness begins, then handling mom duties, then working again after everyone's in bed.
But here's what matters? These are my earnings. I'm not asking anyone to treat myself. I'm adding to the family budget. My kids see that women can hustle.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
For those contemplating a side hustle, this is what I've learned:
Start with one thing. Don't try to do everything at once. Start with one venture and get good at it before adding more.
Honor your limits. Whatever time you have, that's perfectly acceptable. A couple of productive hours is valuable.
Don't compare yourself to Instagram moms. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? They put in years of work and has resources you don't see. Do your thing.
Spend money on education, but strategically. Free information exists. Be careful about spending massive amounts on training until you've proven the concept.
Batch your work. This saved my sanity. Dedicate certain times for certain work. Use Monday for making stuff day. Wednesday might be admin and emails.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
Real talk—guilt is part of this. Sometimes when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I feel terrible.
Yet I think about that I'm teaching them how to hustle. I'm teaching my kids that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
And honestly? Having my own income has been good for me. I'm more satisfied, which translates to better parenting.
The Numbers
How much do I earn? Generally, from all my side gigs, I pull in three to five thousand monthly. It varies, it fluctuates.
Is it life-changing money? Not exactly. But it's paid for stuff that matters to us that would've been really hard. It's giving me confidence and experience that could turn into something bigger.
Final Thoughts
Listen, doing this mom hustle thing is hard. There's no such thing as a perfect balance. Often I'm flying by the seat of my pants, powered by caffeine, and crossing my fingers.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Each dollar I earn is validation of my effort. It's evidence that I'm a multifaceted person.
If you're thinking about starting a side hustle? Start now. Start before it's perfect. Future you will be grateful.
Keep in mind: You aren't only surviving—you're creating something amazing. Even when there's probably Goldfish crackers on your keyboard.
No cap. It's incredible, mess included.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—becoming a single mom wasn't part of my five-year plan. I never expected to be turning into an influencer. But here I am, three years into this wild journey, making a living by being vulnerable on the internet while doing this mom thing solo. And real talk? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was 2022 when my marriage ended. I remember sitting in my half-empty apartment (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids slept. I had $847 in my bank account, two kids to support, and a job that barely covered rent. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to escape reality—because that's the move? when we're drowning, right?—when I saw this solo parent talking about how she paid off $30,000 in debt through content creation. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Or both. Sometimes both.
I got the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, venting about how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I hit post and panicked. Who wants to watch this disaster?
Plot twist, tons of people.
That video got 47,000 views. 47,000 people watched me nearly cry over chicken nuggets. The comments section was this unexpected source of support—people who got it, others barely surviving, all saying "same." That was my turning point. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted authentic.
Discovering My Voice: The Unfiltered Mom Content
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? It found me. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started posting about the stuff no one shows. Like how I wore the same leggings all week because washing clothes was too much. Or when I gave them breakfast for dinner three nights in a row and called it "survival mode." Or that moment when my child asked where daddy went, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who believes in magic.
My content was raw. My lighting was trash. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was real, and evidently, that's what resonated.
In just two months, I hit ten thousand followers. Month three, fifty thousand. By six months, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone blew my mind. People who wanted to hear what I had to say. Little old me—a broke single mom who had to figure this out from zero recently.
My Daily Reality: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Here's the reality of my typical day, because this life is not at all like those perfect "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that will get cold, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a morning routine discussing money struggles. Sometimes it's me cooking while venting about parenting coordination. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation ends. Now I'm in parent mode—making breakfast, finding the missing shoe (seriously, always ONE), prepping food, mediating arguments. The chaos is real.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom filming at red lights in the car. Not my proudest moment, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. Peace and quiet. I'm cutting clips, responding to comments, thinking of ideas, sending emails, analyzing metrics. People think content creation is simple. It's not. It's a whole business.
I usually film in batches on Monday and Wednesday. That means creating 10-15 pieces in one go. I'll swap tops so it seems like separate days. Pro tip: Keep wardrobe options close for outfit changes. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, talking to my camera in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Back to parenting. But here's the thing—often my top performing content come from this time. 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 later about dealing with meltdowns as a lone parent. It got millions of views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm usually too exhausted to make videos, but I'll schedule content, answer messages, or prep for tomorrow. Some nights, after they're down, I'll work late because a client needs content.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just managed chaos with some victories.
Let's Talk Income: How I Really Earn Money
Okay, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you really earn income as a influencer? For sure. Is it straightforward? Not even close.
My first month, I made nothing. Second month? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to share a meal box. I actually cried. That hundred fifty dollars paid for groceries.
Now, years later, here's how I make money:
Brand Partnerships: This is my primary income. I work with brands that align with my audience—things that help, parenting tools, children's products. I charge anywhere from $500-5K per collaboration, depending on what they need. This past month, I did four partnerships and made $8K.
TikTok Fund: The TikTok fund pays pennies—two to four hundred per month for huge view counts. YouTube money is better. I make about $1.5K monthly from YouTube, but that required years.
Affiliate Links: I post links to items I love—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If they buy using my link, I get a cut. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Digital Products: I created a money management guide and a meal planning ebook. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another $1,000-1,500.
One-on-One Coaching: Aspiring influencers pay me to show them how. I offer 1:1 sessions for $200/hour. I do about 5-10 a month.
Overall monthly earnings: Typically, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month at this point. Some months I make more, others are slower. It's variable, which is scary when there's no backup. But it's three times what I made at my 9-5, and I'm present.
What They Don't Show Nobody Mentions
This sounds easy until you're sobbing alone because a video didn't perform, or managing vicious comments from internet trolls.
The hate comments are real. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm a bad influence, accused of lying about being a solo parent. A commenter wrote, "Maybe that's why he left." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm changes constantly. Sometimes you're getting huge numbers. The next, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income is unstable. You're constantly creating, 24/7, scared to stop, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is amplified to the extreme. Every upload, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they resent this when they're teenagers? I have clear boundaries—protected identities, no sharing their private stuff, nothing humiliating. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The exhaustion is real. Certain periods when I don't want to film anything. When I'm done, socially drained, and completely finished. But life doesn't stop. So I create anyway.
What Makes It Worth It
But here's what's real—despite the hard parts, this journey has created things I never imagined.
Economic stability for the first time ever. I'm not a millionaire, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an emergency fund. We took a family trip last summer—Disney World, which I never thought possible two years ago. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to call in to work or stress about losing pay. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a school event, I can go. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I wasn't able to be with a traditional 9-5.
Support that saved me. The other creators I've befriended, especially single moms, have become true friends. We talk, help each other, encourage each other. My followers have become this family. They hype me up, send love, and show me I'm not alone.
Something that's mine. For the first time since having kids, I have an identity. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or only a parent. I'm a CEO. A content creator. Someone who created this.
My Best Tips
If you're a single mother curious about this, listen up:
Just start. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. That's okay. You learn by doing, not by procrastinating.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can spot fake. Share your honest life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That's what connects.
Guard their privacy. Create rules. Know your limits. Their privacy is the priority. I keep names private, rarely show their faces, and keep private things private.
Don't rely on one thing. Don't put all eggs in one basket or a single source. The algorithm is fickle. Multiple streams = safety.
Batch your content. When you have available time, make a bunch. Next week you will thank yourself when you're too exhausted to create.
Interact. Engage. Check messages. Build real relationships. Your community is your foundation.
Monitor what works. Not all content is worth creating. If something takes forever and gets 200 views while something else takes 20 minutes and blows up, change tactics.
Don't forget yourself. You need to fill your cup. Take breaks. Guard your energy. Your sanity matters more than views.
This takes time. This takes time. It took me ages to make any real money. My first year, I made fifteen thousand. Year two, eighty grand. Now, I'm hitting six figures. It's a process.
Know your why. On bad days—and they happen—recall your purpose. For me, it's independence, flexibility with my kids, and proving to myself that I'm capable of anything.
Real Talk Time
Look, I'm being honest. Being a single mom creator is hard. Like, really freaking hard. You're operating a business while being the lone caretaker of children who require constant attention.
There are days I doubt myself. Days when the negativity hurt. Days when I'm drained and wondering if I should quit this with consistent income.
But and then my daughter tells me she's happy I'm here. Or I see financial progress. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I remember my purpose.
My Future Plans
Not long ago, I was broke, scared, and had no idea how to survive. Today, I'm a full-time creator making more money than I ever did in corporate America, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500K by December. Create a podcast for other single moms. Possibly write a book. Continue building this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Content creation gave me a lifeline when I needed it most. It gave me a way to support my kids, show up, and accomplish something incredible. It's a surprise, but it's where I belong.
To all the single moms on the fence: Yes you can. It will be hard. You'll struggle. But you're handling the hardest job in the world—doing this alone. You're tougher than you realize.
Start imperfect. Be consistent. Keep your boundaries. And remember, you're more than just surviving—you're changing your life.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go create content about the project I just found out about and I'm just now hearing about it. Because that's this life—making content from chaos, one post at a time.
For real. This journey? It's worth it. Despite I'm sure there's Goldfish crackers everywhere. Living the dream, imperfectly perfect.