Let me spill, motherhood is no joke. But plot twist? Working to hustle for money while handling toddlers and their chaos.
This whole thing started for me about three years ago when I figured out that my retail therapy sessions were getting out of hand. I was desperate for funds I didn't have to justify spending.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Right so, my initial venture was doing VA work. And not gonna lie? It was perfect. I could grind during those precious quiet hours, and all I needed was a computer and internet.
Initially I was doing simple tasks like organizing inboxes, doing social media scheduling, and basic admin work. Not rocket science. I started at about $20/hour, which felt cheap but for someone with zero experience, you gotta prove yourself first.
Here's what was wild? I would be on a client call looking completely put together from the waist up—full professional mode—while sporting sweatpants. Peak mom life.
Selling on Etsy
Once I got comfortable, I decided to try the Etsy world. Every mom I knew seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I was like "why not get in on this?"
My shop focused on crafting digital planners and wall art. What's great about digital products? Design it once, and it can keep selling indefinitely. For real, I've earned money at midnight when I'm unconscious.
That initial sale? I actually yelled. My partner was like the house was on fire. Nope—I was just, cheering about my first five bucks. I'm not embarrassed.
Content Creator Life
Then I ventured into writing and making content. This hustle is a marathon not a sprint, trust me on this.
I began a parenting blog where I posted about my parenting journey—all of it, no filter. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Just authentic experiences about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Growing an audience was a test of patience. For months, it was basically my only readers were my mom and two bots. But I persisted, and eventually, things gained momentum.
At this point? I earn income through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and display ads. Recently I brought in over two grand from my blog income. Wild, right?
SMM Side Hustle
As I mastered running my own socials, brands started inquiring if I could help them.
Truth bomb? Many companies are terrible with social media. They realize they need to be there, but they're clueless about the algorithm.
Enter: me. I now manage social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I plan their content, schedule posts, handle community management, and monitor performance.
I bill between $500-1500 per month per business, depending on what they need. What I love? I can do most of it from my iPhone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If you can write, content writing is seriously profitable. This isn't writing the next Great American Novel—this is commercial writing.
Companies are desperate for content. My assignments have included everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
Usually charge between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on how complex it is. When I'm hustling hard I'll crank out 10-15 articles and make one to two thousand extra.
Plot twist: I was the person who hated writing papers. These days I'm earning a living writing. The irony.
The Online Tutoring Thing
After lockdown started, everyone needed online help. I was a teacher before kids, so this was an obvious choice.
I signed up with various tutoring services. You make your own schedule, which is absolutely necessary when you have unpredictable little ones.
I mainly help with basic subjects. Rates vary from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on which site you use.
The awkward part? There are times when my children will burst into the room mid-session. There was a time I maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. Other parents are totally cool about it because they understand mom life.
Reselling and Flipping
So, this hustle I stumbled into. I was decluttering my kids' room and put some things on Facebook Marketplace.
Items moved within hours. I had an epiphany: people will buy anything.
These days I shop at anywhere with deals, searching for quality items. I purchase something for cheap and resell at a markup.
Is it a lot of work? Yes. It's a whole process. But it's oddly satisfying about discovering a diamond in the rough at a garage sale and turning a profit.
Also: my kids think I'm cool when I find unique items. Just last week I discovered a retro toy that my son lost his mind over. Made $45 on it. Mom win.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Real talk moment: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. It's called hustling because you're hustling.
There are moments when I'm completely drained, wondering why I'm doing this. I'm grinding at dawn getting stuff done while it's quiet, then all day mom-ing, then working again after the kids are asleep.
But here's what matters? That money is MINE. I can spend it guilt-free to treat myself. I'm helping with my family's finances. I'm showing my kids that you can be both.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
If you want to start a side gig, this is what I've learned:
Begin with something manageable. Don't try to start five businesses. Choose one hustle and nail it down before taking on more.
Honor your limits. If you only have evenings, that's fine. A couple of productive hours is more than enough to start.
Comparison is the thief of joy to Instagram moms. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? She probably started years ago and has support. Do your thing.
Learn and grow, but strategically. There are tons of free resources. Don't spend thousands on courses until you've validated your idea.
Do similar tasks together. This is crucial. Block off specific days for specific tasks. Make Monday writing day. Wednesday might be administrative work.
The Mom Guilt is Real
I have to be real with you—mom guilt is a thing. Sometimes when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I struggle with it.
But I remind myself that I'm teaching them work ethic. I'm proving to them that moms can have businesses.
Also? Earning independently has been good for me. I'm more content, which makes me a better parent.
Let's Talk Money
So what do I actually make? Most months, total from all sources, I make three to five thousand monthly. Certain months are higher, it fluctuates.
Is this getting-rich money? Not exactly. But I've used it for so many things we needed that would've caused financial strain. And it's developing my career and expertise that could grow into more.
Wrapping This Up
At the end of the day, hustling as a mom isn't easy. It's not a perfect balance. Most days I'm winging it, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and hoping for the best.
But I wouldn't change it. Every dollar earned is validation of my effort. It's evidence that I'm not just someone's mother.
If you're thinking about diving into this? Take the leap. Start messy. Your tomorrow self will appreciate it.
Don't forget: You aren't only getting by—you're building something. Even when there's likely mysterious crumbs stuck to your laptop.
For real. It's where it's at, mess included.
From Rock Bottom to Creator Success: My Journey as a Single Mom
Here's the truth—being a single parent wasn't on my vision board. Nor was making money from my phone. But yet here I am, three years into this wild journey, paying bills by posting videos while doing this mom thing solo. And honestly? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Imploded
It was three years ago when my marriage ended. I can still picture sitting in my mostly empty place (he got the furniture, I got the memories), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids slept. I had less than a thousand dollars in my checking account, two mouths to feed, and a income that didn't cut it. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's how we cope? when everything is chaos, right?—when I found this single mom talking about how she changed her life through posting online. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Or stupid. Sometimes both.
I installed the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, venting about how I'd just blown my final $12 on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunch boxes. I hit post and panicked. Why would anyone care about someone's train wreck of a life?
Turns out, way more people than I expected.
That video got 47K views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me nearly cry over frozen nuggets. The comments section became this safe space—people who got it, folks in the trenches, all saying "me too." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted real.
My Brand Evolution: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started filming the stuff nobody talks about. 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 "survival mode." Or that moment when my daughter asked where daddy went, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content was raw. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was real, and turns out, that's what worked.
Two months later, I hit 10K. 90 days in, 50K. By month six, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone felt impossible. These were real people who wanted to follow me. Little old me—a broke single mom who had to figure this out from zero recently.
The Daily Grind: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Here's the reality of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is the opposite of those pretty "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 I'll forget about, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a morning routine sharing about money struggles. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while sharing parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in parent mode—cooking eggs, locating lost items (seriously, always ONE), packing lunches, breaking up sibling fights. The chaos is real.
8:30am: Drop off time. 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 videos, engaging with followers, planning content, doing outreach, checking analytics. People think content creation is just posting videos. Wrong. It's a whole business.
I usually batch content on Monday and Wednesday. That means making a dozen videos in one sitting. I'll change shirts between videos so it looks varied. Advice: Keep several shirts ready for fast swaps. My neighbors think I've lost it, making videos in public in the backyard.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Parent time. But here's where it gets tricky—many times my biggest hits come from these after-school moments. Last week, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I couldn't afford a expensive toy. I created a video in the parking lot later about dealing with meltdowns as a solo parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm completely exhausted to make videos, but I'll queue up posts, reply to messages, or strategize. Many nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll work late because a client needs content.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just chaos with a plan with some victories.
Income Breakdown: How I Actually Make a Living
Okay, let's get into the finances because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you actually make money as a online creator? Yes. Is it easy? Nope.
My first month, I made zilch. Month two? Also nothing. Month three, I got my first collaboration—one hundred fifty dollars to promote a meal box. I broke down. That $150 paid for groceries.
Currently, years later, here's how I generate revenue:
Brand Partnerships: This is my primary income. I work with brands that make sense—practical items, helpful services, family items. I get paid anywhere from $500-5K per partnership, depending on what they need. Just last month, I did four partnerships and made $8,000.
TikTok Fund: TikTok's creator fund pays pennies—maybe $200-400 per month for tons of views. AdSense is more lucrative. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Marketing: I post links to things I own—anything from my go-to coffee machine to the kids' beds. If they buy using my link, I get a kickback. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Downloadables: I created a budget template and a cooking guide. They're $15 each, and I sell dozens per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
Coaching/Consulting: People wanting to start pay me to teach them the ropes. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for $200/hour. I do about 5-10 per month.
Total monthly income: Generally, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month these days. Some months are higher, some are tougher. It's up and down, which is stressful when you're solo. But it's three times what I made at my corporate job, and I'm present.
The Dark Side Nobody Talks About
It looks perfect online until you're having a breakdown because a video didn't perform, or reading nasty DMs from strangers who think they know your life.
The hate comments are real. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm a bad influence, questioned about being a divorced parent. One person said, "No wonder he left." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm changes constantly. One month you're getting viral hits. Next month, you're struggling for views. Your income varies wildly. You're never off, always "on", nervous about slowing down, you'll be forgotten.
The guilt is crushing to the extreme. Every upload, I wonder: Am I oversharing? Is this okay? Will they be angry about this when they're grown? I have non-negotiables—no faces of my kids without permission, nothing too personal, nothing humiliating. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The burnout hits hard. Some weeks when I don't want to film anything. When I'm exhausted, socially drained, and at my limit. But life doesn't stop. So I create anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's what's real—despite everything, this journey has given me things I never imagined.
Financial freedom for the first time in my life. I'm not wealthy, but I became debt-free. I have an emergency fund. We took a actual vacation last summer—Disney, which felt impossible not long ago. I don't stress about my account anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to call in to work or worry about money. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a school thing, I'm present. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't be with a traditional 9-5.
Community that saved me. The fellow creators I've found, especially solo parents, have become real friends. We connect, help each other, lift each other up. My followers have become this family. They cheer for me, support me, and validate me.
Identity beyond "mom". After years, I have an identity. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or someone's mom. I'm a entrepreneur. A creator. Someone who built something from nothing.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a single mom considering content creation, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Just start. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. That's normal. You learn by doing, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Be yourself. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your true life—the unfiltered truth. That resonates.
Guard their privacy. Establish boundaries. Be intentional. Their privacy is everything. I don't use their names, limit face shots, and keep private things private.
Don't rely on one thing. Spread it out or one way to earn. The algorithm is unreliable. More streams = less stress.
Film multiple videos. When you have free time, record several. Tomorrow you will thank present you when you're too exhausted to create.
Connect with followers. Engage. Check messages. Build real relationships. Your community is your foundation.
Track your time and ROI. Time is money. If something requires tons of time and gets nothing while another video takes very little time and gets 200,000 views, pivot.
Self-care matters. You can't pour from an empty cup. Unplug. Create limits. Your health matters most.
Be patient. This requires patience. It took me eight months to make real income. The first year, I made barely $15,000. The second year, eighty thousand. Now, I'm on track for six figures. It's a marathon.
Don't forget your why. On bad days—and there are many—remember your reason. For me, it's money, being present, and proving to myself that I'm capable of anything.
The Honest Truth
Real talk, I'm telling the truth. Content creation as a single mom is challenging. Like, really freaking hard. You're managing a business while being the sole caretaker of kids who need everything.
Many days I doubt myself. Days when the trolls sting. Days when I'm burnt out and asking myself this reference if I should go back to corporate with stability.
But then my daughter shares she appreciates this. Or I look at my savings. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I remember my purpose.
What's Next
A few years back, I was terrified and clueless how I'd survive as a single mom. Currently, I'm a full-time creator making triple what I earned in my 9-5, and I'm present for everything.
My goals for the future? Reach 500K by this year. Start a podcast for single moms. Maybe write a book. Keep growing this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
This journey gave me a second chance when I needed it most. It gave me a way to feed my babies, be available, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's unexpected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To every single mom out there on the fence: You can. It will be hard. You'll struggle. But you're handling the hardest job in the world—doing this alone. You're stronger than you think.
Start imperfect. Keep showing up. Keep your boundaries. And always remember, you're more than just surviving—you're creating something amazing.
Time to go, I need to go record a video about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and I just learned about it. Because that's how it goes—chaos becomes content, one post at a time.
Seriously. This path? It's the best decision. Even when there might be crumbs everywhere. No regrets, imperfectly perfect.