I'm gonna be honest with you, motherhood is a whole vibe. But here's the thing? Trying to earn extra income while handling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.
This whole thing started for me about three years ago when I discovered that my retail therapy sessions were getting out of hand. I needed my own money.
The Virtual Assistant Life
Okay so, I started out was becoming a virtual assistant. And honestly? It was ideal. It let me hustle while the kids slept, and all I needed was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
My first tasks were easy things like handling emails, doing social media scheduling, and basic admin work. Not rocket science. I charged about fifteen to twenty bucks hourly, which wasn't much but when you're just starting, you gotta build up your portfolio.
Here's what was wild? I would be on a client call looking all professional from the shoulders up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting pants I'd owned since 2015. That's the dream honestly.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
After a year, I ventured into the whole Etsy thing. Literally everyone seemed to be on Etsy, so I thought "why not get in on this?"
I started making PDF planners and wall art. The beauty of printables? You create it once, and it can make money while you sleep. For real, I've earned money at midnight when I'm unconscious.
The first time someone bought something? I freaked out completely. My partner was like something was wrong. Not even close—I was just, cheering about my $4.99 sale. Don't judge me.
Blogging and Creating
Then I ventured into blogging and content creation. This particular side gig is not for instant gratification seekers, let me tell you.
I started a blog about motherhood where I posted about what motherhood actually looks like—the good, the bad, and the ugly. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Only the actual truth about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Building traffic was painfully slow. At the beginning, I was essentially talking to myself. But I persisted, and slowly but surely, things gained momentum.
At this point? I make money through affiliate marketing, collaborations, and advertisements on my site. Last month I brought in over two thousand dollars from my website. Crazy, right?
SMM Side Hustle
As I mastered social media for my own stuff, other businesses started reaching out if I could do the same for them.
Here's the thing? Many companies are terrible with social media. They realize they need a presence, but they're too busy.
I swoop in. I currently run social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I plan their content, plan their posting schedule, respond to comments, and analyze the metrics.
I bill between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per client, depending on how much work is involved. The best thing? I manage everything from my phone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For the wordy folks, writing gigs is incredibly lucrative. I don't mean writing the next Great American Novel—I'm talking about content writing for businesses.
Companies always need writers. I've written articles about everything from the most random topics. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to Google effectively.
Usually make fifty to one hundred fifty bucks per piece, depending on the topic and length. When I'm hustling hard I'll create a dozen articles and pull in a couple thousand dollars.
Plot twist: I was the person who barely passed English class. Currently I'm getting paid for it. Life's funny like that.
Virtual Tutoring
During the pandemic, tutoring went digital. I was a teacher before kids, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I signed up with a couple of online tutoring sites. You make your own schedule, which is essential when you have children who keep you guessing.
I mainly help with elementary school stuff. You can make from $15-25 per hour depending on the company.
Here's what's weird? Every now and then my own kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. There was a time I teach fractions while my toddler screamed about the wrong color cup. My clients are very sympathetic because they're living the same life.
Reselling and Flipping
So, this particular venture started by accident. I was cleaning out my kids' stuff and posted some items on Facebook Marketplace.
Stuff sold out within hours. Lightbulb moment: people will buy anything.
At this point I hit up thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, looking for things that will sell. I grab something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's definitely work? Not gonna lie. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But I find it rewarding about spotting valuable items at a garage sale and making money.
Also: my children are fascinated when I find unique items. Just last week I found a vintage toy that my son went crazy for. Got forty-five dollars for it. Score one 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.
There are moments when I'm exhausted, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm grinding at dawn hustling before the chaos starts, then all day mom-ing, then more hustle time after the kids are asleep.
But this is what's real? That money is MINE. I don't have to ask permission to buy the fancy coffee. I'm supporting my family's finances. I'm showing my kids that you can have it all—sort of.
What I Wish I Knew
For those contemplating a side hustle, here are my tips:
Don't go all in immediately. You can't start five businesses. Choose one hustle and master it before adding more.
Honor your limits. If you only have evenings, that's perfectly acceptable. Whatever time you can dedicate is more than enough to start.
Stop comparing to Instagram moms. Those people with massive success? They've been at it for years and has support. Stay in your lane.
Spend money on education, but wisely. Free information exists. Don't waste $5,000 on a coaching program until you've tested the waters.
Batch your work. This saved my sanity. Block off days for specific hustles. Make Monday creation day. Wednesday might be handling business stuff.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
I have to be real with you—mom guilt is a thing. There are times when I'm focused on work while my kids need me, and I feel terrible.
But I consider that I'm showing them how to hustle. I'm proving to them that moms can have businesses.
Additionally? Earning independently has improved my mental health. I'm happier, which helps me be better.
Income Reality Check
The real numbers? On average, from all my side gigs, I bring in $3K-5K. Some months are lower, some are tougher.
Is this getting-rich money? Not exactly. But it's paid for stuff that matters to us that would've stressed us out. It's also giving me confidence and expertise that could grow into more.
Wrapping This Up
Listen, doing this mom hustle thing is challenging. There's no perfect balance. Many days I'm winging it, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and hoping for the best.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Every single dollar earned is validation of my effort. It shows that I'm a multifaceted person.
If you're thinking about diving into this? Do it. Start before it's perfect. Your tomorrow self will be grateful.
And remember: You're more than enduring—you're building something. Even when there's likely snack crumbs in your workspace.
Not even kidding. This is incredible, mess included.
My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—becoming a single mom wasn't on my vision board. Nor was making money from my phone. But fast forward to now, three years later, supporting my family by sharing my life online while raising two kids basically solo. And real talk? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was a few years ago when my marriage ended. I can still picture sitting in my bare apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids were finally quiet. I had less than a thousand dollars in my account, two mouths to feed, and a job that barely covered rent. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to escape reality—because that's how we cope? when everything is chaos, right?—when I found this solo parent discussing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through posting online. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But desperation makes you brave. Maybe both. Sometimes both.
I downloaded the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, venting about how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a cheap food for my kids' lunch boxes. I hit post and panicked. Who wants to watch my mess?
Spoiler alert, thousands of people.
That video got 47K views. 47,000 people watched me get emotional over chicken nuggets. The comments section turned into this validation fest—fellow solo parents, other people struggling, all saying "same." That was my epiphany. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted honest.
My Brand Evolution: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? It found me. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started filming the stuff people hide. Like how I didn't change pants for days because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner several days straight and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my daughter asked about the divorce, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who believes in magic.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was trash. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was honest, and turns out, that's what hit.
Within two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Three months later, fifty thousand. By month six, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone felt impossible. Actual humans who wanted to know my story. Plain old me—a broke single mom who had to ask Google what this meant recently.
My Daily Reality: Juggling Everything
Here's the reality of my typical day, because creating content solo is the opposite of those curated "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do absolutely not want to wake up, but this is my precious quiet time. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a morning routine sharing about financial reality. Sometimes it's me making food while talking about custody stuff. The lighting is not great.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation pauses. Now I'm in parent mode—feeding humans, locating lost items (it's always one shoe), making lunch boxes, stopping fights. The chaos is intense.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom making videos while driving at red lights. Not my proudest moment, but content waits for no one.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Peace and quiet. I'm editing content, engaging with followers, brainstorming content ideas, doing outreach, checking analytics. They believe content creation is just making TikToks. Absolutely not. It's a real job.
I usually film in batches on specific days. That means making a dozen videos in one session. I'll change shirts between videos so it looks like different days. Advice: Keep multiple tops nearby for fast swaps. My neighbors think I've lost it, recording myself alone in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Mom mode activated. But this is where it's complicated—many times my viral videos come from this time. A few days ago, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I refused to get a $40 toy. I made content in the parking lot afterward about surviving tantrums as a single mom. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: All the evening things. I'm completely exhausted to film, but I'll queue up posts, answer messages, or outline content. Some nights, after bedtime, I'll stay up editing because a client needs content.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just organized chaos with random wins.
The Money Talk: How I Generate Income
Look, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you legitimately profit as a influencer? For sure. Is it easy? Hell no.
My first month, I made nothing. Second month? Zero. Third month, I got my first brand deal—one hundred fifty dollars to feature a meal box. I cried real tears. That $150 paid for groceries.
Now, years later, here's how I earn income:
Sponsored Content: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that make sense—budget-friendly products, parenting tools, children's products. I charge anywhere from $500-5K per collaboration, depending on what's required. Last month, I did four brand deals and made $8K.
Ad Money: TikTok's creator fund pays pennies—two to four hundred per month for huge view counts. YouTube ad revenue is better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Link Sharing: I share affiliate links to things I own—everything from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds I bought. If they buy using my link, I get a kickback. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Downloadables: I created a money management guide and a meal prep guide. $15 apiece, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another $1,000-1,500.
One-on-One Coaching: New creators pay me to mentor them. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for two hundred dollars. I do about five to ten a month.
Combined monthly revenue: On average, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month now. Certain months are better, others are slower. It's unpredictable, which is scary when you're it. But it's 3x what I made at my 9-5, and I'm available for my kids.
The Struggles Nobody Talks About
It looks perfect online until you're having a breakdown because a video flopped, or handling vicious comments from random people.
The negativity is intense. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm problematic, told I'm fake about being a divorced parent. Someone once commented, "I'd leave too." That one stung for days.
The algorithm is unpredictable. Certain periods you're getting huge numbers. The next, you're lucky to break 1,000. Your income varies wildly. You're constantly creating, always "on", nervous about slowing down, you'll lose relevance.
The mom guilt is intense exponentially. Each post, I wonder: Am I sharing too much? Is this okay? Will they be angry about this when they're teenagers? I have non-negotiables—minimal identifying info, nothing too personal, nothing humiliating. But the line is not always clear.
The burnout is real. Certain periods when I have nothing. When I'm done, over it, and completely finished. But the mortgage is due. So I do it anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But the truth is—despite everything, this journey has brought me things I never expected.
Economic stability for the first time in my life. I'm not a millionaire, but I became debt-free. I have an emergency fund. We took a 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 kid was ill last month, I didn't have to ask permission or stress about losing pay. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a school thing, I can go. I'm there for them in ways I couldn't manage with a normal job.
Community that saved me. The fellow creators I've found, especially single moms, have become my people. We vent, exchange tips, support each other. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They celebrate my wins, encourage me through rough patches, and make me feel seen.
My own identity. After years, I have my own thing. I'm not just an ex or somebody's mother. I'm a entrepreneur. A businesswoman. Someone who built something from nothing.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a solo parent thinking about this, here's what I'd tell you:
Begin now. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. It's fine. You learn by doing, not by overthinking.
Be yourself. People can spot fake. Share your real life—the unfiltered truth. That's the magic.
Prioritize their privacy. Set limits. Know your limits. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I keep names private, minimize face content, and respect their dignity.
Multiple revenue sources. Don't rely on just one platform or one income stream. The algorithm is unstable. Diversification = security.
Film multiple videos. When you have quiet time, film multiple videos. Future you will appreciate it when you're unable to film.
Engage with your audience. Answer comments. Reply to messages. Build real relationships. Your community is your foundation.
Track your time and ROI. Be strategic. If something takes four hours and tanks while something else takes very little time and goes viral, change tactics.
Prioritize yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Step away. Protect your peace. Your mental health matters more than views.
Be patient. This is a marathon. It took me half a year to make any real money. The first year, I made maybe $15,000 total. The second year, $80,000. Year 3, I'm hitting six figures. It's a journey.
Remember why you started. On tough days—and trust me, there will be—recall your purpose. For me, it's money, being present, and showing myself that I'm capable of anything.
Real Talk Time
Look, I'm being honest. Content creation as a single mom is tough. So damn hard. You're managing a business while being the sole caretaker of children who require constant attention.
Some days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the trolls affect me. Days when I'm drained and asking myself if I should go back to corporate with a 401k.
But but then my daughter mentions she's happy I'm here. Or I see my bank account an informative post actually has money in it. Or I receive a comment from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I understand the impact.
The Future
Not long ago, I was terrified and clueless how to survive. Today, I'm a full-time content creator making triple what I earned in traditional work, and I'm present for everything.
My goals for the future? Reach 500K by end of year. Launch a podcast for single parents. Possibly write a book. Keep building this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Content creation gave me a path forward when I was desperate. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be there, and build something real. It's not the path I expected, but it's meant to be.
To all the single moms considering this: Hell yes you can. It will be hard. You'll want to quit some days. But you're currently doing the hardest job—parenting solo. You're stronger than you think.
Start messy. Keep showing up. Guard your peace. And know this, you're beyond survival mode—you're building something incredible.
Time to go, I need to go create content about another last-minute project and I just learned about it. Because that's how it goes—chaos becomes content, one video at a time.
Honestly. This life? It's everything. Even though there's probably crumbs in my keyboard. Dream life, chaos and all.