Here's the tea, mom life is not for the weak. But you know what's even crazier? Working to secure the bag while handling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
This whole thing started for me about several years ago when I realized that my impulse buys were getting out of hand. I had to find some independent income.
Being a VA
Here's what happened, my initial venture was jumping into virtual assistance. And not gonna lie? It was exactly what I needed. I could grind during those precious quiet hours, and the only requirement was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
I started with easy things like email management, scheduling social media posts, and basic admin work. Super simple stuff. My rate was about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which felt cheap but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta build up your portfolio.
Honestly the most hilarious thing? I would be on a video meeting looking completely put together from the waist up—blazer, makeup, the works—while rocking sweatpants. That's the dream honestly.
My Etsy Journey
About twelve months in, I ventured into the whole Etsy thing. All my mom friends seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I figured "why not start one too?"
I started designing printable planners and wall art. Here's why printables are amazing? Make it one time, and it can keep selling indefinitely. Literally, I've made sales at midnight when I'm unconscious.
That initial sale? I actually yelled. My partner was like the house was on fire. Not even close—I was just, celebrating my glorious $4.99. Judge me if you want.
The Content Creation Grind
Eventually I got into blogging and content creation. This hustle is playing the long game, let me tell you.
I launched a mom blog where I posted about the chaos of parenting—everything unfiltered. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Simply honest stories about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Building traffic was a test of patience. Initially, I was basically talking to myself. But I persisted, and eventually, things took off.
Currently? I earn income through affiliate links, working with brands, and advertisements on my site. This past month I made over two grand from my blog alone. Wild, right?
Managing Social Media
Once I got decent at running my own socials, small companies started inquiring if I could do the same for them.
Real talk? Most small businesses are terrible with social media. They realize they need a presence, but they can't keep up.
Enter: me. I now manage social media for three local businesses—various small businesses. I plan their content, schedule posts, engage with followers, and track analytics.
They pay me between $500-$1500/month per business, depending on the complexity. Here's what's great? I handle this from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If writing is your thing, freelance writing is seriously profitable. Not like literary fiction—this is business content.
Brands and websites need content constantly. I've created content about everything from the most random topics. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to know how to find information.
Generally charge $50-150 per article, depending on the topic and length. Certain months I'll crank out ten to fifteen pieces and bring in an extra $1,000-2,000.
The funny thing is: Back in school I thought writing was torture. And now I'm a professional writer. The irony.
Virtual Tutoring
When COVID hit, everyone needed online help. I used to be a teacher, so this was right up my alley.
I started working with several tutoring platforms. You choose when you work, which is absolutely necessary when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
I mostly tutor elementary reading and math. Rates vary from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on the company.
The awkward part? There are times when 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 understand mom life.
The Reselling Game
So, this one wasn't planned. During a massive cleanout my kids' things and listed some clothes on copyright.
They sold so fast. That's when I realized: people will buy anything.
Now I shop at secondhand stores and sales, searching for quality items. I'll find something for $3 and sell it for $30.
It's labor-intensive? Yes. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But it's strangely fulfilling about finding hidden treasures at a yard sale and earning from it.
Bonus: 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. Made $45 on it. Score one for mom.
Real Talk Time
Here's the thing nobody tells you: side hustles aren't passive income. They're called hustles for a reason.
Some days when I'm completely drained, questioning my life choices. I'm up at 5am working before my kids wake up, then doing all the mom stuff, then working again after bedtime.
But here's the thing? I earned this money. I can spend it guilt-free to splurge on something nice. I'm supporting our household income. My kids are learning that moms can do anything.
What I Wish I Knew
For those contemplating a mom hustle, here's what I'd tell you:
Start small. Don't attempt to juggle ten things. Start with one venture and nail it down before adding more.
Work with your schedule. If you only have evenings, that's fine. A couple of productive hours is more than enough to start.
Don't compare yourself to other moms. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? She probably started years ago and has support. Do your thing.
Invest in yourself, but strategically. Free information exists. Don't spend huge money on programs until you've proven the concept.
Batch tasks together. This changed everything. Set aside certain times for certain work. Use Monday for creation day. Make Wednesday admin and emails.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I'm not gonna lie—guilt is part of this. Sometimes when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I feel guilty.
However I remember that I'm teaching them what dedication looks like. I'm proving to them that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
Additionally? Having my own income has made me a better mom. I'm happier, which helps me be better.
The Numbers
My actual income? Generally, total from all sources, I bring in $3K-5K. It varies, it fluctuates.
Is it life-changing money? Nope. But I've used it for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've caused financial strain. It's also giving me confidence and experience that could evolve into something huge.
Wrapping This Up
Listen, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship isn't easy. It's not a secret sauce. Often I'm making it up as I go, powered by caffeine, and doing my best.
But I wouldn't change it. Every single dollar earned is proof that I can do hard things. It demonstrates that I'm a multifaceted person.
For anyone contemplating diving into this? Take the leap. Start before it's perfect. You in six months will be grateful.
Always remember: You're not merely surviving—you're growing something incredible. Even if there's probably mysterious crumbs in your workspace.
Not even kidding. This mom hustle life is pretty amazing, complete with all the chaos.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
I'm gonna be honest—single motherhood wasn't on my vision board. Neither was becoming a content creator. But yet here I am, three years later, supporting my family by creating content while raising two kids basically solo. And honestly? It's been the most terrifying, empowering, and unexpected blessing of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Imploded
It was a few years ago when my relationship fell apart. I remember sitting in my mostly empty place (he got the furniture, I got the memories), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had barely $850 in my checking account, two mouths to feed, and a salary that was a joke. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I was on TikTok to avoid my thoughts—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I saw this solo parent discussing how she changed her life through posting online. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But being broke makes you bold. Maybe both. Probably both.
I grabbed the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, venting about how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' school lunches. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Who gives a damn about someone's train wreck of a life?
Turns out, tons of people.
That video got 47,000 views. 47,000 people watched me almost lose it over chicken nuggets. The comments section was this unexpected source of support—women in similar situations, others barely surviving, all saying "same." That was my epiphany. People didn't want perfection. They wanted real.
Building My Platform: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It chose me. I became the real one.
I started sharing the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I wore the same leggings all week because laundry felt impossible. Or when I fed my kids cereal for dinner all week and called it "creative meal planning." 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 wasn't pretty. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was honest, and turns out, that's what connected.
Within two months, I hit 10K. Three months later, 50K. By six months, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone seemed fake. These were real people who wanted to know my story. Little old me—a struggling single mom who had to figure this out from zero not long ago.
The Actual Schedule: Balancing Content and Chaos
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is not at all like those aesthetic "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do absolutely not want to wake up, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me talking about money struggles. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while venting about co-parenting struggles. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in mommy mode—cooking eggs, finding the missing shoe (where do they go), throwing food in bags, mediating arguments. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom making videos while driving at stop signs. I know, I know, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my hustle time. House is quiet. I'm editing videos, engaging with followers, planning content, reaching out to brands, looking at stats. Everyone assumes content creation is only filming. Wrong. It's a real job.
I usually film in batches on Monday and Wednesday. That means shooting multiple videos in one session. I'll change clothes so it appears to be different times. Life hack: Keep different outfits accessible for quick changes. My neighbors think I've lost it, recording myself alone in the backyard.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Parent time. But here's the thing—sometimes my best content ideas come from real life. Last week, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I said no to a toy she didn't need. I filmed a video in the car later about dealing with meltdowns as a lone parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm typically drained to make videos, but I'll schedule uploads, reply to messages, or plan tomorrow's content. Many nights, after bedtime, I'll edit videos until midnight because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just managed chaos with random wins.
The Financial Reality: How I Support My Family
Look, let's discuss money because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you actually make money as a online creator? Absolutely. Is it effortless? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made $0. Second month? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to promote a meal kit service. I broke down. That $150 paid for groceries.
Today, three years in, here's how I earn income:
Brand Partnerships: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that my followers need—affordable stuff, mom products, kid essentials. I ask for anywhere from $500-5K per partnership, depending on what's required. Just last month, I did four partnerships and made $8,000.
Platform Payments: Creator fund pays pennies—a few hundred dollars per month for tons of views. AdSense is actually decent. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that required years.
Link Sharing: I share affiliate links to stuff I really use—anything from my go-to coffee machine to the kids' beds. If anyone buys, I get a percentage. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Info Products: I created a single mom budget planner and a meal planning ebook. $15 apiece, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Coaching/Consulting: Aspiring influencers pay me to show them how. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for two hundred dollars. I do about several of these monthly.
Overall monthly earnings: Typically, I'm making $10-15K per month at this point. Certain months are better, some are less. It's up and down, which is nerve-wracking when you're it. But it's three times what I made at my previous job, and I'm available for my kids.
What They Don't Show Nobody Shows You
It looks perfect online until you're crying in your car because a post tanked, or reading vicious comments from keyboard warriors.
The negativity is intense. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm problematic, accused of lying about being a solo read more parent. A commenter wrote, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm is unpredictable. Sometimes you're getting insane views. The following week, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income goes up and down. You're always on, 24/7, scared to stop, you'll lose momentum.
The mom guilt is worse times a thousand. Everything I share, I wonder: Is this too much? Is this okay? Will they resent this when they're adults? I have non-negotiables—limited face shots, nothing too personal, no embarrassing content. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The burnout is real. Certain periods when I can't create. When I'm done, talked out, and just done. But the mortgage is due. So I do it anyway.
What Makes It Worth It
But here's the thing—even with the struggles, this journey has given me things I never anticipated.
Economic stability for once in my life. I'm not loaded, but I became debt-free. I have an cushion. We took a real vacation last summer—Orlando, which seemed impossible a couple years back. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Time 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 class party, I'm present. I'm in their lives in ways I couldn't manage with a regular job.
My people that saved me. The creator friends I've befriended, especially other moms, have become true friends. We connect, help each other, lift each other up. My followers have become this family. They hype me up, encourage me through rough patches, and remind me I'm not alone.
Identity beyond "mom". Finally, I have an identity. I'm not defined by divorce or somebody's mother. I'm a entrepreneur. A businesswoman. Someone who made it happen.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a single parent considering content creation, listen up:
Just start. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. That's okay. You improve over time, not by procrastinating.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can tell when you're fake. Share your real life—the chaos. That resonates.
Prioritize their privacy. Create rules. Know your limits. Their privacy is everything. I don't use their names, protect their faces, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Multiple revenue sources. Diversify or one way to earn. The algorithm is unpredictable. Diversification = security.
Film multiple videos. When you have time alone, record several. Future you will thank present you when you're drained.
Build community. Reply to comments. Respond to DMs. Connect authentically. Your community is what matters.
Track metrics. Some content isn't worth it. If something takes four hours and tanks while a different post takes very little time and gets 200,000 views, change tactics.
Self-care matters. You need to fill your cup. Rest. Create limits. Your sanity matters more than going viral.
Be patient. This takes time. It took me eight months to make meaningful money. Year one, I made maybe $15,000 total. Year two, $80,000. Now, I'm on track for six figures. It's a long game.
Don't forget your why. On tough days—and there will be many—remember your reason. For me, it's financial freedom, being there, and demonstrating that I'm stronger than I knew.
The Reality Check
Listen, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Content creation as a single mom is hard. So damn hard. You're basically running a business while being the sole caretaker of children who require constant attention.
Certain days I question everything. Days when the hate comments sting. Days when I'm drained and questioning if I should go back to corporate with a 401k.
But and then my daughter says she appreciates this. Or I check my balance and see money. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content helped her leave an unhealthy relationship. And I remember my purpose.
The Future
Three years ago, I was terrified and clueless how I'd survive as a single mom. Today, I'm a professional creator making triple what I earned in my 9-5, 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. Write a book eventually. Expand this business that changed my life.
This journey gave me a way out when I had nothing. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be there, and create something meaningful. It's not the path I expected, but it's where I belong.
To all the single moms on the fence: You absolutely can. It will be challenging. You'll doubt yourself. But you're handling the most difficult thing—parenting solo. You're stronger than you think.
Start imperfect. Stay consistent. Keep your boundaries. And know this, you're beyond survival mode—you're creating something amazing.
Gotta go now, I need to go make a video about homework I forgot about and nobody told me until now. Because that's the reality—making content from chaos, one video at a time.
Seriously. This journey? It's worth it. Even though there's definitely crumbs all over my desk. Living the dream, imperfectly perfect.