Let me spill, motherhood is absolutely wild. But here's the thing? Trying to make some extra cash while handling toddlers and their chaos.
This whole thing started for me about several years ago when I realized that my impulse buys were becoming problematic. It was time to get my own money.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Okay so, I started out was jumping into virtual assistance. And not gonna lie? It was perfect. It let me grind during those precious quiet hours, and the only requirement was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
I started with easy things like organizing inboxes, scheduling social media posts, and data entry. Pretty straightforward. I charged about $20/hour, which seemed low but when you're just starting, you gotta start somewhere.
The funniest part? I would be on a client call looking like I had my life together from the chest up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting pajama bottoms. That's the dream honestly.
My Etsy Journey
After getting my feet wet, I thought I'd test out the Etsy world. All my mom friends seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I figured "why not me?"
I created crafting PDF planners and digital art prints. The beauty of printables? One and done creation, and it can generate passive income forever. Actually, I've made sales at midnight when I'm unconscious.
When I got my first order? I lost my mind. My partner was like there was an emergency. But no—I was just, cheering about my $4.99 sale. Judge me if you want.
Content Creator Life
Then I discovered creating content online. This one is not for instant gratification seekers, real talk.
I created a blog about motherhood where I wrote about what motherhood actually looks like—all of it, no filter. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Only the actual truth about surviving tantrums in Target.
Building traffic was a test of patience. The first few months, I was basically talking to myself. But I persisted, and after a while, things took off.
These days? I earn income through affiliate marketing, working with brands, and display ads. Just last month I made over two thousand dollars from my website. Crazy, right?
SMM Side Hustle
When I became good with social media for my own stuff, other businesses started asking if I could do the same for them.
And honestly? A lot of local businesses don't understand social media. They understand they have to be on it, but they're clueless about the algorithm.
This is my moment. I handle social media for several small companies—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I plan their content, schedule posts, engage with followers, and track analytics.
My rate is between $500-$1500/month per account, depending on the scope of work. The best thing? I do this work from my iPhone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If writing is your thing, freelancing is a goldmine. Not like becoming Shakespeare—this is business content.
Companies are desperate for content. My assignments have included everything from literally everything under the sun. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
Generally earn between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on how complex it is. On good months I'll crank out 10-15 articles and pull in an extra $1,000-2,000.
Plot twist: I'm the same person who hated writing papers. These days I'm earning a living writing. Life's funny like that.
The Online Tutoring Thing
During the pandemic, everyone needed online help. I used to be a teacher, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I registered on various tutoring services. The scheduling is flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
I mostly tutor elementary reading and math. The pay ranges from $15-$25/hour depending on the company.
The awkward part? Sometimes my kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. There was a time I maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. Other parents are usually super understanding because they're parents too.
The Reselling Game
Here me out, this side gig happened accidentally. While organizing my kids' things and tried selling some outfits on Mercari.
They sold within hours. That's when I realized: there's a market for everything.
Now I shop at secondhand stores and sales, hunting for quality items. I purchase something for $3 and sell it for $30.
It's definitely work? Not gonna lie. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But I find it rewarding about discovering a diamond in the rough at Goodwill and earning from it.
Plus: my kids think I'm cool when I find unique items. Recently I scored a rare action figure that my son lost his mind over. Got forty-five dollars for it. Victory for mom.
The Honest Reality
Here's the thing nobody tells you: side hustles aren't passive income. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
Certain days when I'm completely drained, doubting everything. I'm grinding at dawn being productive before the madness begins, then being a full-time parent, then more hustle time after bedtime.
But here's the thing? These are my earnings. I can spend it guilt-free to splurge on something nice. I'm helping with the family budget. I'm teaching my children that you can have it all—sort of.
What I Wish I Knew
For those contemplating a hustle of your own, here's what I'd tell you:
Start small. Don't try to juggle ten things. Pick one thing and get good at it before adding more.
Work with your schedule. If you only have evenings, that's totally valid. A couple of productive hours is a great beginning.
Comparison is the thief of joy to Instagram moms. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? She's been grinding forever and has support. Run your own race.
Spend money on education, but strategically. Start with free stuff first. Be careful about spending huge money on programs until you've proven the concept.
Batch tasks together. I learned this the hard way. Set aside time blocks for different things. Monday could be content creation day. Wednesday could be organizing and responding.
The Mom Guilt is Real
I'm not gonna lie—guilt is part of this. There are times when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I feel terrible.
But then I remember that I'm modeling for them work ethic. I'm teaching my kids that you can be both.
Additionally? Financial independence has helped me feel more like myself. I'm happier, which helps me be better.
Let's Talk Money
So what do I actually make? Generally, total from all sources, I pull in $3,000-5,000 per month. Some months are lower, some are tougher.
Is it life-changing money? No. But I've used it for vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've been really hard. And it's developing my career and knowledge that could turn into something bigger.
In Conclusion
Here's the bottom line, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship is hard. There's no magic formula. Most days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, powered by caffeine, and doing my best.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Each dollar I earn is validation of my effort. It's proof that I'm not just someone's mother.
So if you're considering diving into this? Go for it. Start before it's perfect. Your tomorrow self will thank you.
And remember: You're not merely making it through—you're hustling. Despite the fact that there's probably old cheerios in your workspace.
Seriously. It's the life, mess included.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—single motherhood wasn't part of my five-year plan. I also didn't plan on turning into an influencer. But here we are, years into this crazy ride, paying bills by posting videos while handling everything by myself. And honestly? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was a few years ago when my divorce happened. I remember sitting in my mostly empty place (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had barely $850 in my bank account, two mouths to feed, and a income that didn't cut it. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to escape reality—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when we're drowning, right?—when I saw this single mom sharing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through making videos. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Or crazy. Probably both.
I got the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, sharing how I'd just blown my final $12 on a cheap food for my kids' lunch boxes. I hit post and panicked. Who gives a damn about my broke reality?
Spoiler alert, tons of people.
That video got 47,000 views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me nearly cry over $12 worth of food. The comments section turned into this validation fest—other single moms, people living the same reality, all saying "same." That was my turning point. People didn't want perfection. They wanted honest.
Building My Platform: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's what they don't say about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the real one.
I started posting about the stuff people hide. Like how I wore the same leggings all week because I couldn't handle laundry. Or the time I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner all week and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my kid asked where daddy went, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content was raw. My lighting was trash. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was honest, and evidently, that's what connected.
After sixty days, I hit 10K. Month three, 50K. By six months, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone felt impossible. These were real people who wanted to listen to me. Plain old me—a barely surviving single mom who had to ask Google what this meant six months earlier.
The Actual Schedule: Balancing Content and Chaos
Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is totally different from those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm sounds. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me sharing about budgeting. Sometimes it's me cooking while sharing dealing with my ex. The lighting is not great.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in full mom mode—pouring cereal, hunting for that one shoe (it's always one shoe), prepping food, referee duties. The chaos is next level.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom making videos while driving in the car. Not my proudest moment, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my hustle time. Peace and quiet. I'm editing videos, being social, ideating, reaching out to brands, looking at stats. They believe content creation is just posting videos. Wrong. It's a entire operation.
I usually batch-create content on certain days. That means filming 10-15 videos in one session. I'll change clothes so it looks like different days. Life hack: Keep wardrobe options close for easy transitions. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, recording myself alone in the yard.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Parent time. But plot twist—sometimes my biggest hits come from these after-school moments. Last week, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I couldn't afford a expensive toy. I created a video in the parking lot after about handling public tantrums as a lone parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm generally wiped out to create anything, but I'll schedule uploads, check DMs, or plan tomorrow's content. Some nights, after bedtime, I'll edit videos until midnight because a deadline is coming.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just controlled chaos with random wins.
The Money Talk: How I Really Earn Money
Alright, let's talk dollars because this is what people ask about. Can you actually make money as a content creator? Absolutely. Is it effortless? Not even close.
My first month, I made $0. Second month? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first collaboration—$150 to share a meal delivery. I actually cried. That $150 covered food.
Now, three years in, here's how I generate revenue:
Brand Partnerships: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that my followers need—affordable stuff, parenting tools, children's products. I charge anywhere from $500-5K per campaign, depending on what they need. Last month, I did four collabs and made $8,000.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: Creator fund pays very little—$200-$400 per month for massive numbers. YouTube revenue is more lucrative. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that took forever.
Link Sharing: I share links to stuff I really use—ranging from my go-to coffee machine to the kids' beds. If anyone buys, I get a percentage. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Online Products: I created a money management guide and a food prep planner. $15 apiece, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Coaching/Consulting: Aspiring influencers pay me to teach them the ropes. I offer 1:1 sessions for two hundred per hour. I do about five to ten a month.
My total income: Generally, I'm making $10-15K per month now. Certain months are better, some are tougher. It's variable, which is scary when there's no backup. But it's triple what I made at my corporate job, and I'm available for my kids.
The Struggles Nobody Talks About
From the outside it's great until you're losing it because a video didn't perform, or dealing with cruel messages from strangers who think they know your life.
The haters are brutal. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm exploiting my kids, told I'm fake about being a solo parent. One person said, "I'd leave too." That one hurt so bad.
The platform changes. One month you're getting millions of views. Then suddenly, you're struggling for views. Your income goes up and down. You're always on, never resting, afraid to pause, you'll fall behind.
The guilt is crushing to the extreme. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I doing right by them? Will they be angry about this when they're grown? I have clear boundaries—minimal identifying info, keeping their stories private, nothing that could embarrass them. But the line is hard to see.
The exhaustion is real. Some weeks when I am empty. When I'm touched out, socially drained, and just done. But bills don't care about burnout. So I create anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But listen—through it all, this journey has brought me things I never imagined.
Money security for the first time in my life. I'm not rich, but I cleared $18K. I have an cushion. We took a real vacation last summer—Orlando, which was a dream two years ago. I don't panic about money anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my kid was ill last month, I didn't have to ask permission or lose income. I worked anywhere. When there's a class party, I attend. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I wasn't with a normal job.
Connection that saved me. The creator friends I've found, especially other single parents, have become true friends. We vent, collaborate, lift each other up. My followers have become this amazing support system. They support me, support me, and make me feel seen.
Something that's mine. For the first time since having kids, I have something that's mine. I'm not just an ex or somebody's mother. I'm a entrepreneur. An influencer. Someone who built something from nothing.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a single parent thinking about this, here's what I'd tell you:
Don't wait. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. That's okay. You learn by doing, not by procrastinating.
Be yourself. People can tell when you're fake. Share your real life—the mess. That's what connects.
Prioritize their privacy. Set boundaries early. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is everything. I never share their names, rarely show their faces, and keep private things private.
Diversify income streams. Don't put all eggs in one basket or a supporting article one revenue source. The algorithm is unreliable. Multiple income streams = stability.
Film multiple videos. When you have available time, create multiple pieces. Next week you will thank present you when you're too exhausted to create.
Build community. Reply to comments. Check messages. Create connections. Your community is crucial.
Monitor what works. Some content isn't worth it. If something requires tons of time and tanks while a different post takes no time and gets massive views, shift focus.
Take care of yourself. You matter too. Rest. Set boundaries. Your health matters more than anything.
Be patient. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me half a year to make decent money. Year one, I made $15K total. Year 2, $80K. Year 3, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a long game.
Stay connected to your purpose. On bad days—and there are many—remember your reason. For me, it's financial freedom, being there, and showing myself that I'm more than I believed.
Real Talk Time
Here's the deal, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. This life is tough. Really hard. You're managing a business while being the only parent of children who require constant attention.
Many days I doubt myself. Days when the negativity affect me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and asking myself if I should quit this with consistent income.
But and then my daughter mentions she appreciates this. Or I check my balance and see money. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I remember my purpose.
What's Next
Not long ago, I was scared and struggling what to do. Currently, I'm a content creator making triple what I earned in my old job, and I'm available when they need me.
My goals now? Hit 500K by year-end. Launch a podcast for single parents. Write a book eventually. Continue building this business that makes everything possible.
Being a creator gave me a path forward when I was drowning. It gave me a way to support my kids, be there, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's not what I planned, but it's perfect.
To every single mom out there thinking about starting: You absolutely can. It will be challenging. You'll struggle. But you're handling the hardest job in the world—single parenting. You're tougher than you realize.
Jump in messy. Keep showing up. Prioritize yourself. And always remember, you're more than just surviving—you're building something incredible.
Time to go, I need to go record a video about the project I just found out about and surprise!. Because that's this life—content from the mess, video by video.
Honestly. This journey? It's everything. Even if there's probably crushed cheerios in my keyboard. No regrets, imperfectly perfect.