Let me tell you, motherhood is no joke. But what's really wild? Trying to earn extra income while juggling tiny humans who think sleep is optional.
This whole thing started for me about a few years back when I had the epiphany that my Target runs were becoming problematic. I had to find cash that was actually mine.
Being a VA
So, I kicked things off was becoming a virtual assistant. And honestly? It was chef's kiss. It let me hustle while the kids slept, and literally all it took was a computer and internet.
I started with easy things like handling emails, posting on social media, and basic admin work. Not rocket science. I charged about $20/hour, which wasn't much but when you're just starting, you gotta start somewhere.
The funniest part? There I was on a video meeting looking like I had my life together from the chest up—full professional mode—while sporting sweatpants. That's the dream honestly.
My Etsy Journey
About twelve months in, I wanted to explore the whole Etsy thing. Literally everyone seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I figured "why not me?"
I created crafting PDF planners and digital art prints. The thing about selling digital stuff? Make it one time, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Genuinely, I've gotten orders at midnight when I'm unconscious.
That initial sale? I actually yelled. He came running thinking there was an emergency. Not even close—it was just me, celebrating my five dollar sale. No shame in my game.
Content Creator Life
Then I discovered the whole influencer thing. This hustle is definitely a slow burn, real talk.
I created a family lifestyle blog where I shared what motherhood actually looks like—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Not the highlight reel. Simply the actual truth about surviving tantrums in Target.
Building up views was a test of patience. Initially, I was basically creating content for crickets. But I didn't give up, and after a while, things took off.
At this point? I make money through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and ad revenue. Last month I made over $2,000 from my blog income. Mind-blowing, right?
Managing Social Media
As I mastered my own content, brands started inquiring if I could manage their accounts.
Here's the thing? Tons of businesses suck at social media. They realize they need to be there, but they can't keep up.
That's where I come in. I handle social media for several small companies—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I make posts, schedule posts, engage with followers, and monitor performance.
They pay me between $500-1500 per month per business, depending on the complexity. What I love? I can do most of it from my phone during soccer practice.
Writing for Money
For those who can string sentences together, freelancing is where it's at. Not like becoming Shakespeare—I'm talking about content writing for businesses.
Brands and websites are desperate for content. I've written everything from the most random topics. Google is your best friend, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
On average charge fifty to one hundred fifty bucks per piece, depending on how complex it is. On good months I'll write a dozen articles and earn $1-2K.
The funny thing is: I was that student who barely passed English class. Now I'm a professional writer. Talk about character development.
Tutoring Online
When COVID hit, tutoring went digital. I used to be a teacher, so this was perfect for me.
I started working with VIPKid and Tutor.com. It's super flexible, which is absolutely necessary when you have unpredictable little ones.
I mainly help with K-5 subjects. Rates vary from $15-$25/hour depending on the company.
The awkward part? Sometimes my kids will interrupt mid-session. I've literally had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The parents on the other end are usually super understanding because they're living the same life.
The Reselling Game
Alright, this hustle happened accidentally. I was cleaning out my kids' closet and tried selling some outfits on various apps.
Items moved immediately. That's when I realized: you can sell literally anything.
These days I visit thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, looking for things that will sell. I'll buy something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
This takes effort? Yes. You're constantly listing and shipping. But I find it rewarding about finding a gem at the thrift store and turning a profit.
Additionally: the kids think it's neat when I discover weird treasures. Last week I grabbed a rare action figure that my son went crazy for. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Mom win.
Real Talk Time
Truth bomb incoming: side hustles aren't passive income. They're called hustles for a reason.
There are moments when I'm exhausted, questioning my life choices. I wake up early being productive before the madness begins, then handling mom duties, then working again after 8pm hits.
But here's the thing? I earned this money. I'm not asking anyone to buy the fancy coffee. I'm helping with my family's finances. I'm teaching my children that moms can do anything.
Tips if You're Starting Out
For those contemplating a side hustle, here are my tips:
Don't go all in immediately. Avoid trying to do everything at once. Choose one hustle and become proficient before expanding.
Use the time you have. If naptime is your only free time, that's fine. Whatever time you can dedicate is more than enough to start.
Comparison is the thief of joy to what you see online. The successful ones you see? She's been grinding forever and doesn't do it alone. Stay in your lane.
Spend money on education, but carefully. You don't need expensive courses. Avoid dropping $5,000 on a coaching program until you've tried things out.
Batch tasks together. I learned this the hard way. Set aside days for specific hustles. Monday might be making stuff day. Use Wednesday for handling business stuff.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I have to be real with you—I struggle with guilt. There are days 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 showing my daughter that you can be both.
Also? Making my own money has made me a better mom. I'm more satisfied, which helps me be better.
Income Reality Check
How much do I earn? Generally, combining everything, I earn $3,000-5,000 per month. Certain months are higher, some are tougher.
Is this getting-rich money? Not really. But we've used it to pay for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've caused financial strain. Plus it's building my skills and skills that could evolve into something huge.
Wrapping This Up
Listen, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship takes work. You won't find a magic formula. Many days I'm making it up as I go, powered by caffeine, and doing my best.
But I don't regret it. Every single dollar I earn is validation of my effort. It shows that I'm more than just mom.
If you're on the fence about launching a mom business? Take the leap. Start before it's perfect. Your future self will be so glad you did.
And remember: You're more than getting by—you're creating something amazing. Even if there's likely snack crumbs on your keyboard.
Not even kidding. It's where it's at, mess included.
From Survival Mode to Content Creator: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—being a single parent wasn't on my vision board. I also didn't plan on becoming a content creator. But fast forward to now, three years later, earning income by sharing my life online while doing this mom thing solo. And honestly? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Fell Apart
It was 2022 when my relationship fell apart. I remember sitting in my mostly empty place (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids slept. I had barely $850 in my checking account, two humans depending on me, and a salary that was a joke. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's how we cope? when everything is chaos, right?—when I came across this woman talking about how she changed her life through making videos. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Maybe both. Probably both.
I installed the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, talking about how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' school lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Why would anyone care about my broke reality?
Spoiler alert, way more people than I expected.
That video got forty-seven thousand views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me get emotional over processed meat. The comments section turned into this safe space—other single moms, people living the same reality, all saying "I feel this." That was my epiphany. People didn't want perfection. They wanted authentic.
Finding My Niche: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's what they don't say about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? It found me. I became the real one.
I started posting about the stuff no one shows. Like how I lived in one outfit because washing clothes was too much. Or the time I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner all week and called it "survival mode." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked where daddy went, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content was rough. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was unfiltered, and turns out, that's what worked.
Two months later, I hit 10K. Month three, 50K. By six months, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone blew my mind. Actual humans who wanted to follow me. Me—a barely surviving single mom who had to figure this out from zero months before.
A Day in the Life: Managing It All
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because creating content solo is not at all like those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm screams. I do not want to move, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me sharing about financial reality. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while sharing parenting coordination. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation stops. Now I'm in parent mode—making breakfast, locating lost items (where do they go), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: Carpool line. I'm that mom in the carpool line filming TikToks in the car. I know, I know, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. House is quiet. I'm editing content, responding to comments, ideating, doing outreach, analyzing metrics. Everyone assumes content creation is just making TikToks. Wrong. It's a whole business.
I usually create multiple videos on Monday and Wednesday. That means filming 10-15 videos in one session. I'll swap tops so it looks varied. Life hack: Keep wardrobe options close for fast swaps. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, making videos in public in the backyard.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Back to parenting. But plot twist—frequently my best content ideas come from real life. Just last week, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I said no to a $40 toy. I recorded in the Target parking lot afterward about handling public tantrums as a single mom. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm completely exhausted to create content, but I'll schedule content, respond to DMs, or strategize. Many nights, after bedtime, I'll work late because a deadline is coming.
The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just controlled chaos with some victories.
The Money Talk: How I Support My Family
Look, let's talk dollars because this is what people ask about. Can you legitimately profit as a influencer? 100%. Is it easy? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made $0. Second month? Also nothing. Month three, I got my first paid partnership—$150 to feature a food subscription. I broke down. That one-fifty fed us.
Fast forward, three years in, here's how I generate revenue:
Brand Partnerships: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that my followers need—budget-friendly products, single-parent resources, children's products. I charge anywhere from $500-5K per deal, depending on the scope. Just last month, I did four brand deals and made eight thousand dollars.
Platform Payments: TikTok's creator fund pays pennies—a few hundred dollars per month for huge view counts. YouTube money is actually decent. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Links: I share links to items I love—everything from my favorite coffee maker to the bunk beds in their room. If someone purchases through my link, I get a percentage. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Downloadables: I created a money management guide and a cooking guide. They're $15 each, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
One-on-One Coaching: New creators pay me to show them how. I offer 1:1 sessions for two hundred dollars. I do about five to ten per month.
Total monthly income: On average, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month now. Some months I make more, others are slower. It's variable, which is terrifying when you're solo. But it's triple what I made at my corporate job, and I'm available for my kids.
The Struggles Nobody Posts About
It looks perfect online until you're having a breakdown because a video didn't perform, or dealing with cruel messages from internet trolls.
The hate comments are real. I've been mom-shamed, told I'm a bad influence, called a liar about being a divorced parent. I'll never forget, "No wonder he left." That one stuck with me.
The platform changes. Sometimes you're getting viral hits. Then suddenly, you're struggling for views. Your income is unstable. You're constantly creating, never resting, worried that if you take a break, you'll lose relevance.
The guilt is crushing exponentially. Each post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they be angry about this when they're adults? I have non-negotiables—limited face shots, no discussing their personal struggles, no embarrassing content. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout hits hard. Sometimes when I can't create. When I'm exhausted, over it, and totally spent. But rent doesn't care. So I push through.
The Wins
But the truth is—despite everything, this journey has created things I never imagined.
Financial freedom for once in my life. I'm not wealthy, but I became debt-free. I have an cushion. We took a vacation last summer—Disney World, which seemed impossible not long ago. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or lose income. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a school thing, I attend. I'm there for them in ways I couldn't manage with a traditional 9-5.
Support that saved me. The fellow creators I've met, especially other moms, have become actual friends. We talk, collaborate, support each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They support me, encourage me through rough patches, and make me feel seen.
My own identity. After years, I have something for me. I'm not just an ex or somebody's mother. I'm a CEO. A content creator. Someone who built something from nothing.
My Best Tips
If you're a solo parent wanting to start, here's an informative post my advice:
Don't wait. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. It's fine. You grow through creating, not by procrastinating.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your real life—the mess. That's what works.
Protect your kids. Set boundaries early. Be intentional. Their privacy is everything. I protect their names, limit face shots, and protect their stories.
Multiple revenue sources. Don't rely on just one platform or one way to earn. The algorithm is unreliable. Multiple streams = safety.
Create in batches. When you have available time, make a bunch. Next week you will be grateful when you're unable to film.
Engage with your audience. Respond to comments. Answer DMs. Connect authentically. Your community is everything.
Track metrics. Some content isn't worth it. If something takes forever and flops while another video takes no time and gets massive views, pivot.
Don't forget yourself. You need to fill your cup. Step away. Set boundaries. Your health matters more than anything.
Give it time. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me half a year to make real income. Year one, I made barely $15,000. Year 2, $80K. Now, I'm on track for six figures. It's a marathon.
Remember why you started. On tough days—and trust me, there will be—remember your reason. For me, it's independence, being present, and showing myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
Being Real With You
Listen, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Being a single mom creator is difficult. Like, really freaking hard. You're managing a business while being the lone caretaker of demanding little people.
Certain days I doubt myself. Days when the hate comments hurt. Days when I'm drained and wondering if I should quit this with insurance.
But then suddenly my daughter tells me she appreciates this. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content helped her leave an unhealthy relationship. And I remember my purpose.
The Future
Not long ago, I was terrified and clueless how to make it work. Currently, I'm a professional creator making more than I imagined in my old job, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals going forward? Hit 500,000 followers by this year. Begin podcasting for single parents. Possibly write a book. Expand this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Content creation gave me a path forward when I was drowning. It gave me a way to take care of my children, show up, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's unexpected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To every solo parent wondering if you can do this: You absolutely can. It isn't simple. You'll consider quitting. But you're handling the hardest job in the world—single parenting. You're more capable than you know.
Jump in messy. Keep showing up. Protect your peace. And remember, you're beyond survival mode—you're changing your life.
BRB, I need to go create content about the project I just found out about and nobody told me until now. Because that's the reality—making content from chaos, one post at a time.
No cap. This life? It's worth it. Even when I'm sure there's crumbs everywhere. That's the dream, imperfectly perfect.