Let me tell you, being a mom is not for the weak. But plot twist? Attempting to make some extra cash while handling kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
My hustle life began about a few years back when I discovered that my random shopping trips were reaching dangerous levels. It was time to get funds I didn't have to justify spending.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Okay so, my first gig was becoming a virtual assistant. And not gonna lie? It was exactly what I needed. I could get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and the only requirement was a computer and internet.
Initially I was doing easy things like handling emails, doing social media scheduling, and entering data. Not rocket science. My rate was about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which felt cheap but for someone with zero experience, you gotta start somewhere.
Here's what was wild? Picture this: me on a client call looking all professional from the chest up—looking corporate—while wearing pants I'd owned since 2015. That's the dream honestly.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
Once I got comfortable, I thought I'd test out the selling on Etsy. Literally everyone seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I was like the cited reference "why not join the party?"
I began crafting digital planners and home decor prints. The thing about selling digital stuff? Make it one time, and it can generate passive income forever. Genuinely, I've made sales at midnight when I'm unconscious.
That initial sale? I lost my mind. My partner was like the house was on fire. Negative—I was just, cheering about my glorious $4.99. Don't judge me.
Content Creator Life
After that I got into blogging and content creation. This venture is definitely a slow burn, real talk.
I started a parenting blog where I shared real mom life—all of it, no filter. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Only the actual truth about surviving tantrums in Target.
Growing an audience was slow. Initially, I was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I kept at it, and after a while, things took off.
Currently? I generate revenue through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and ad revenue. Last month I generated over $2,000 from my website. Insane, right?
The Social Media Management Game
After I learned my own content, other businesses started asking if I could do the same for them.
Truth bomb? A lot of local businesses suck at social media. They understand they need to be there, but they're clueless about the algorithm.
Enter: me. I currently run social media for several small companies—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I create content, plan their posting schedule, engage with followers, and analyze the metrics.
They pay me between $500-1500 per month per business, depending on how much work is involved. Best part? I handle this from my iPhone.
Freelance Writing Life
For those who can string sentences together, freelance writing is a goldmine. I don't mean writing the next Great American Novel—I'm talking about content writing for businesses.
Businesses everywhere need content constantly. My assignments have included everything from dental hygiene to copyright. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
On average charge $0.10-0.50 per word, depending on how complex it is. On good months I'll crank out a dozen articles and pull in $1-2K.
Here's what's wild: I was that student who hated writing papers. Currently I'm a professional writer. Life's funny like that.
The Online Tutoring Thing
During the pandemic, virtual tutoring became huge. I was a teacher before kids, so this was an obvious choice.
I signed up with several tutoring platforms. The scheduling is flexible, which is absolutely necessary when you have unpredictable little ones.
I mostly tutor elementary reading and math. The pay ranges from $15-$25/hour depending on where you work.
What's hilarious? Sometimes my kids will interrupt mid-session. There was a time I educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The parents on the other end are totally cool about it because they're living the same life.
Reselling and Flipping
Here me out, this particular venture started by accident. I was decluttering my kids' closet and listed some clothes on various apps.
Things sold immediately. Lightbulb moment: people will buy anything.
Currently I visit estate sales and thrift shops, searching for name brands. I'll find something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
Is it a lot of work? For sure. It's a whole process. But I find it rewarding about discovering a diamond in the rough at Goodwill and making profit.
Also: my kids think I'm cool when I score cool vintage stuff. Recently I found a retro toy that my son went crazy for. Sold it for $45. Mom win.
The Honest Reality
Truth bomb incoming: side hustles aren't passive income. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
There are days when I'm completely drained, doubting everything. I'm grinding at dawn hustling before the chaos starts, then being a full-time parent, then back at it after the kids are asleep.
But this is what's real? That money is MINE. I don't have to ask permission to treat myself. I'm helping with the family budget. I'm teaching my children that you can have it all—sort of.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
For those contemplating a side gig, here's what I'd tell you:
Don't go all in immediately. You can't do everything at once. Pick one thing and become proficient before adding more.
Work with your schedule. If naptime is your only free time, that's fine. Two hours of focused work is better than nothing.
Avoid comparing yourself to Instagram moms. The successful ones you see? She probably started years ago and doesn't do it alone. Run your own race.
Don't be afraid to invest, but strategically. Free information exists. Don't waste thousands on courses until you've tested the waters.
Work in batches. This is crucial. Block off specific days for specific tasks. Make Monday making stuff day. Use Wednesday for handling business stuff.
The Mom Guilt is Real
Real talk—mom guilt is a thing. Certain moments when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I feel guilty.
However I remind myself that I'm teaching them work ethic. I'm showing my daughter that you can be both.
Additionally? Making my own money has improved my mental health. I'm more content, which helps me be better.
Income Reality Check
The real numbers? Typically, combining everything, I bring in $3K-5K. Certain months are higher, it fluctuates.
Is this getting-rich money? Nope. But we've used it to pay for stuff that matters to us that would've been really hard. It's building my skills and skills that could evolve into something huge.
Final Thoughts
Listen, being a mom with a side hustle takes work. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach. Often I'm improvising everything, running on coffee and determination, and crossing my fingers.
But I wouldn't change it. Every single penny made is evidence of my capability. It's proof that I have identity beyond motherhood.
If you're thinking about diving into this? Do it. Don't wait for perfect. Future you will appreciate it.
Keep in mind: You're not just getting by—you're building something. Even when there's probably Goldfish crackers on your keyboard.
For real. This is incredible, despite the chaos.
From Survival Mode to Content Creator: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—being a single parent was never the plan. I also didn't plan on turning into an influencer. But fast forward to now, 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 most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
The Beginning: When Everything Imploded
It was three years ago when my marriage ended. I can still picture sitting in my bare apartment (he got the furniture, I got the memories), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had eight hundred forty-seven dollars in my checking account, two kids to support, and a income that didn't cut it. The panic was real, y'all.
I was on TikTok to escape reality—because that's self-care at 2am, right? in crisis mode, right?—when I saw this solo parent discussing how she changed her life through content creation. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or crazy. Usually both.
I downloaded 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 frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' school lunches. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Why would anyone care about my broke reality?
Turns out, tons of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. 47,000 people watched me almost lose it over processed meat. The comments section was this safe space—fellow solo parents, others barely surviving, all saying "same." That was my aha moment. People didn't want perfect. They wanted honest.
Building My Platform: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? It chose me. I became the real one.
I started filming the stuff people hide. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because washing clothes was too much. Or the time I served cereal as a meal three nights in a row and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my kid asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content was rough. My lighting was trash. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was authentic, and evidently, that's what connected.
Two months later, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, fifty thousand. By month six, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone seemed fake. People who wanted to follow me. Little old me—a struggling single mom who had to ask Google what this meant months before.
My Daily Reality: Managing It All
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because creating content solo is the opposite of those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do not want to move, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a getting ready video sharing about budgeting. Sometimes it's me making food while sharing parenting coordination. The lighting is not great.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in mommy mode—pouring cereal, finding the missing shoe (where do they go), prepping food, stopping fights. The chaos is next level.
8:30am: Carpool line. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks when stopped. Not proud of this, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Kids are at school. I'm in editing mode, engaging with followers, planning content, pitching brands, looking at stats. They believe content creation is just posting videos. Absolutely not. It's a full business.
I usually batch content on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means creating 10-15 pieces in one sitting. I'll switch outfits so it looks like different days. Life hack: Keep several shirts ready for outfit changes. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, making videos in public in the backyard.
3:00pm: School pickup. Mom mode activated. But here's where it gets tricky—sometimes my viral videos come from the chaos. Recently, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I couldn't afford a toy she didn't need. I filmed a video in the parking lot later about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: Dinner through bedtime. I'm typically drained to create anything, but I'll queue up posts, check DMs, or plan tomorrow's content. Some nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll work late because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just managed chaos with moments of success.
Let's Talk Income: How I Generate Income
Okay, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you actually make money as a content creator? Yes. Is it simple? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made $0. Second month? Also nothing. Month three, I got my first sponsored post—one hundred fifty dollars to share a meal box. I cried real tears. That $150 fed us.
Now, years later, here's how I earn income:
Collaborations: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that fit my niche—budget-friendly products, mom products, children's products. I charge anywhere from $500-5K per collaboration, depending on what they need. Just last month, I did four brand deals and made eight grand.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: The TikTok fund pays basically nothing—a few hundred dollars per month for massive numbers. YouTube revenue is actually decent. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that required years.
Affiliate Marketing: I post links to stuff I really use—everything from my favorite coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If anyone buys, I get a cut. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Digital Products: I created a budget template and a meal planning ebook. $15 apiece, and I sell dozens per month. That's another $1-1.5K.
Teaching Others: Aspiring influencers pay me to guide them. I offer consulting calls for two hundred per hour. I do about five to ten per month.
Total monthly income: Typically, I'm making $10-15K per month currently. It varies, some are lower. 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 9-5, and I'm present.
What They Don't Show Nobody Mentions
This sounds easy until you're losing it because a post tanked, or dealing with nasty DMs from keyboard warriors.
The negativity is intense. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm using my children, told I'm fake about being a solo parent. Someone once commented, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one stung for days.
The algorithm changes constantly. One month you're getting insane views. The following week, you're struggling for views. Your income is unstable. You're never off, never resting, worried that if you take a break, you'll fall behind.
The guilt is crushing times a thousand. Every upload, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Are my kids safe? Will they regret this when they're teenagers? I have non-negotiables—protected identities, no sharing their private stuff, nothing that could embarrass them. But the line is hard to see.
The I get burnt out. Sometimes when I can't create. When I'm done, talked out, and just done. But rent doesn't care. So I do it anyway.
What Makes It Worth It
But here's the thing—despite everything, this journey has blessed me with things I never dreamed of.
Financial freedom for once in my life. I'm not loaded, but I eliminated my debt. I have an cushion. We took a real vacation last summer—the Mouse House, which was a dream a couple years back. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Control that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or lose income. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a field trip, I can go. I'm available in ways I couldn't manage with a regular job.
Connection that saved me. The fellow creators I've befriended, especially solo parents, have become true friends. We talk, exchange tips, lift each other up. My followers have become this amazing support system. They hype me up, support me, and show me I'm not alone.
My own identity. Since becoming a mom, I have something for me. I'm more than an ex or someone's mom. I'm a entrepreneur. A creator. Someone who created this.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a single mother wanting to start, here's what I'd tell you:
Just start. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. It's fine. You get better, not by overthinking.
Keep it real. People can spot fake. Share your honest life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That's what connects.
Keep them safe. Set boundaries early. Be intentional. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I protect their names, protect their faces, and protect their stories.
Build multiple income streams. Don't rely on just one platform or one revenue source. The algorithm is unreliable. More streams = less stress.
Create in batches. When you have time alone, record several. Next week you will appreciate it when you're too exhausted to create.
Interact. Respond to comments. Reply to messages. Connect authentically. Your community is everything.
Monitor what works. Time is money. If something is time-intensive and flops while a different post takes very little time and gets massive views, adjust your strategy.
Prioritize yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Take breaks. Protect your peace. Your health matters more than views.
Give it time. This requires patience. It took me half a year to make any real money. Year one, I made barely $15,000. The second year, eighty thousand. Year three, I'm making six figures. It's a process.
Stay connected to your purpose. On difficult days—and they happen—think about your why. For me, it's money, being there, and proving to myself that I'm more than I believed.
The Reality Check
Here's the deal, I'm being honest. Content creation as a single mom is tough. Incredibly hard. You're managing a business while being the sole caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
Many days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the nasty comments affect me. Days when I'm drained and questioning if I should go back to corporate with a 401k.
But then suddenly my daughter mentions she appreciates this. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I remember why I do this.
What's Next
Not long ago, I was lost and broke how I'd survive as a single mom. Today, I'm a full-time creator making more money than I ever did in traditional work, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals for the future? Hit 500,000 followers by December. Launch a podcast for single parents. Possibly write a book. Keep growing this business that supports my family.
This path gave me a lifeline when I was desperate. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be there, and build something real. It's a surprise, but it's where I belong.
To every solo parent considering this: You absolutely can. It will be hard. You'll consider quitting. But you're managing the hardest job—single parenting. You're powerful.
Start imperfect. Be consistent. Guard your peace. And know this, you're not just surviving—you're building an empire.
Time to go, I need to go film a TikTok about homework I forgot about and surprise!. Because that's the content creator single mom life—turning chaos into content, video by video.
For real. Being a single mom creator? It's worth every struggle. Even though there's probably old snacks everywhere. That's the dream, one messy video at a time.