Let me tell you, being a mom is no joke. But you know what's even crazier? Working to hustle for money while handling toddlers and their chaos.
My hustle life began about three years ago when I figured out that my random shopping trips were becoming problematic. It was time to get some independent income.
Being a VA
Okay so, I started out was doing VA work. And not gonna lie? It was exactly what I needed. I was able to work during naptime, and all I needed was a computer and internet.
Initially I was doing simple tasks like handling emails, posting on social media, and data entry. Pretty straightforward. I started at about fifteen dollars an hour, which wasn't much but when you're just starting, you gotta prove yourself first.
Here's what was wild? Picture this: me on a Zoom call looking like a real businesswoman from the chest up—full professional mode—while sporting pants I'd owned since 2015. Living my best life.
The Etsy Shop Adventure
After getting my feet wet, I decided to try the Etsy world. All my mom friends seemed to be on Etsy, so I figured "why not start one too?"
I created creating PDF planners and digital art prints. Here's why printables are amazing? You create it once, and it can make money while you sleep. For real, I've made sales at 3am while I was sleeping.
My first sale? I literally screamed. He came running thinking the house was on fire. Negative—it was just me, celebrating my five dollar sale. Don't judge me.
Content Creator Life
Eventually I got into blogging and content creation. This hustle is playing the long game, let me tell you.
I started a parenting blog where I shared the chaos of parenting—everything unfiltered. Keeping it real. Only honest stories about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Growing an audience was slow. For months, I was basically my only readers were my mom and two bots. But I stayed consistent, and after a while, things began working.
At this point? I make money through promoting products, sponsored posts, and advertisements on my site. Recently I earned over two thousand dollars from my website. Insane, right?
SMM Side Hustle
When I became good with social media for my own stuff, brands started asking if I could do the same for them.
Truth bomb? Tons of businesses are terrible with social media. They understand they need to be there, but they can't keep up.
This is my moment. I now manage social media for a handful of clients—various small businesses. I make posts, schedule posts, handle community management, and monitor performance.
I bill between $500-1500 per month per account, depending on the scope of work. Best part? I handle this from my phone during soccer practice.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If writing is your thing, freelance writing is where it's at. I'm not talking literary fiction—I mean commercial writing.
Businesses everywhere are desperate for content. I've created content about everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. You just need to research, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
On average make between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on the topic and length. When I'm hustling hard I'll produce 10-15 articles and pull in a couple thousand dollars.
Here's what's wild: I'm the same person who struggled with essays. Now I'm making money from copyright. The irony.
Virtual Tutoring
After lockdown started, tutoring went digital. I was a teacher before kids, so this was right up my alley.
I started working with a couple of online tutoring sites. The scheduling is flexible, which is absolutely necessary when you have unpredictable little ones.
I focus on elementary school stuff. You can make from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on the platform.
Here's what's weird? Every now and then my kids will interrupt mid-session. There was a time I maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. The families I work with are incredibly understanding because they understand mom life.
The Reselling Game
Okay, this one happened accidentally. I was decluttering my kids' room and listed some clothes on Facebook Marketplace.
Items moved so fast. I had an epiphany: you can sell literally anything.
At this point I hit up anywhere with deals, hunting for quality items. I'll buy something for cheap and resell at a markup.
This takes effort? Yes. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But it's oddly satisfying about finding a gem at the thrift store and making money.
Additionally: my children are fascinated when I find unique items. Recently I scored a collectible item that my son freaked out about. Made $45 on it. Victory for mom.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Here's the thing nobody tells you: side hustles aren't passive income. There's work involved, hence the name.
Certain days when I'm running on empty, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm grinding at dawn getting stuff done while it's quiet, then handling mom duties, then more hustle time after everyone's in bed.
But you know what? These are my earnings. I can spend it guilt-free to get the good coffee. I'm supporting our financial goals. I'm showing my kids that you can have it all—sort of.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're thinking about a side gig, here are my tips:
Start small. Don't attempt to juggle ten things. Start with one venture and get good at it before expanding.
Use the time you have. If you only have evenings, that's okay. Two hours of focused work is a great beginning.
Comparison is the thief of joy to what you see online. The successful ones you see? They've been at it for years and has resources you don't see. Do your thing.
Spend money on education, but wisely. Free information exists. Don't waste huge money on programs until you've proven the concept.
Batch your work. This changed everything. Block off days for specific hustles. Monday could be writing day. Wednesday might be organizing and responding.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
Real talk—guilt is part of this. Certain moments when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I feel guilty.
Yet I consider that I'm showing them what dedication looks like. I'm showing my daughter that moms can have businesses.
And honestly? Earning independently has made me a better mom. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me more patient.
Let's Talk Money
So what do I actually make? On average, from all my side gigs, I bring in three to five thousand monthly. It varies, others are slower.
Will this make you wealthy? Nope. But it's paid for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've stressed us out. And it's creating opportunities and expertise that could grow into more.
In Conclusion
At the end of the day, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship takes work. You won't find a one-size-fits-all approach. Often I'm flying by the seat of my pants, running on coffee and determination, and doing my best.
But I'm proud of this journey. Each dollar I earn is a testament to my hustle. It's evidence that I'm not just someone's mother.
So if you're considering starting a side hustle? Take the leap. Don't wait for perfect. You in six months will be grateful.
Keep in mind: You're not merely surviving—you're building something. Despite the fact that there's likely mysterious crumbs on your keyboard.
Not even kidding. It's pretty amazing, chaos and all.
My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom
Here's the truth—single motherhood was never the plan. Nor was turning into an influencer. But yet here I am, three years into this wild journey, paying bills by being vulnerable on the internet while parenting alone. And not gonna lie? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was a few years ago when my life exploded. I will never forget sitting in my new apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had eight hundred forty-seven dollars in my checking account, two kids to support, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The stress was unbearable, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's how we cope? when we're drowning, right?—when I saw this divorced mom talking about how she became debt-free through posting online. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But desperation makes you brave. Or both. Sometimes both.
I installed the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? Completely unpolished, explaining how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a cheap food for my kids' school lunches. I hit post and panicked. Who wants to watch my broke reality?
Turns out, way more people than I expected.
That video got 47K views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me almost lose it over chicken nuggets. The comments section was this unexpected source of support—people who got it, other people struggling, all saying "this is my life." That was my aha moment. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted raw.
Building My Platform: The Real Mom Life 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 mom who tells the truth.
I started sharing the stuff no one shows. Like how I didn't change pants for days because I couldn't handle laundry. Or when I gave them breakfast for dinner three nights in a row and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my kid asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who is six years old.
My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a cracked iPhone 8. But it was honest, and evidently, that's what hit.
Two months later, I hit ten thousand followers. Month three, 50K. By six months, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone felt surreal. Actual humans who wanted to hear what I had to say. Little old me—a struggling single mom who had to ask Google what this meant not long ago.
My Daily Reality: Managing It All
Here's the reality of my typical day, because this life is the opposite of those perfect "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my work time. I make coffee that will get cold, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a morning routine sharing about single mom finances. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while talking about dealing with my ex. The lighting is whatever natural light comes through my kitchen window.
7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation ends. Now I'm in full mom mode—cooking eggs, hunting for that one shoe (where do they go), making lunch boxes, referee duties. The chaos is real.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom making videos while driving in the car. I know, I know, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. Peace and quiet. I'm editing content, responding to comments, planning content, doing outreach, analyzing metrics. Folks imagine content creation is only filming. Wrong. It's a entire operation.
I usually batch-create content on specific days. That means shooting multiple videos in one sitting. I'll change shirts between videos so it looks like different days. Hot tip: Keep different outfits accessible for fast swaps. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, making videos in public in the parking lot.
3:00pm: Getting the kids. Mom mode activated. But here's the thing—many times my viral videos come from the chaos. Recently, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I refused to get a forty dollar toy. I made content in the parking lot once we left about dealing with meltdowns as a solo parent. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm generally wiped out to film, but I'll queue up posts, check DMs, or outline content. Many nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll stay up editing because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just organized chaos with occasional wins.
Income Breakdown: How I Support My Family
Okay, let's get into the finances because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you make a living as a creator? For sure. Is it easy? Not even close.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Month two? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first paid partnership—one hundred fifty dollars to promote a meal box. I actually cried. That one-fifty bought groceries for two weeks.
Today, years later, here's how I generate revenue:
Collaborations: This is my main revenue. I work with brands that fit my niche—practical items, mom products, children's products. I ask for anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per deal, depending on what's required. This past month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made $8,000.
TikTok Fund: The TikTok fund pays very little—two to four hundred per month for massive numbers. YouTube revenue is more lucrative. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that was a long process.
Affiliate Marketing: I share affiliate links to stuff I really use—everything from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds in their room. If they buy using my link, I get a cut. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Digital Products: I created a money management guide and a meal prep guide. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
One-on-One Coaching: Aspiring influencers pay me to guide them. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for two hundred per hour. I do about several each month.
Total monthly income: Generally, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month at this point. It varies, others are slower. It's up and down, which is terrifying when you're solo. But it's three times what I made at my old job, and I'm there for them.
The Hard Parts Nobody Shows You
From the outside it's great until you're having a breakdown because a post tanked, or managing hate comments from internet trolls.
The trolls are vicious. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm a bad influence, called a liar about being a solo parent. A commenter wrote, "Maybe that's why he left." That one stung for days.
The algorithm is unpredictable. One month you're getting millions of views. Next month, you're lucky to break 1,000. Your income varies wildly. You're always on, always "on", afraid to pause, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is amplified times a thousand. Every upload, I wonder: Am I sharing too much? Am I protecting my kids' privacy? Will they hate me for this when they're teenagers? I have clear boundaries—limited face shots, no discussing their personal struggles, no embarrassing content. But the line is fuzzy.
The burnout is real. Certain periods when I have nothing. When I'm depleted, socially drained, and completely finished. But the mortgage is due. So I show up anyway.
The Beautiful Parts
But the truth is—even with the struggles, this journey has created things I never imagined.
Economic stability for once in my life. I'm not rich, but I cleared $18K. I have an savings. We took a family trip last summer—the Mouse House, which felt impossible not long ago. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to ask permission or panic. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a school event, I'm present. I'm there for them in ways I wasn't able to be with a normal job.
Community that saved me. The fellow creators I've befriended, especially other moms, have become true friends. We support each other, collaborate, support each other. My followers have become this family. They support me, encourage me through rough patches, and make me feel seen.
Me beyond motherhood. For the first time since having kids, I have an identity. I'm not defined by divorce or somebody's mother. I'm a content creator. A content creator. Someone who made it happen.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a single mom considering content creation, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Begin now. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. That's normal. You learn by doing, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Be yourself. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your honest life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That's what works.
Prioritize their privacy. Establish boundaries. Be intentional. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I protect their names, protect their faces, and keep private things private.
Multiple revenue sources. Spread it out or a single source. The algorithm is unpredictable. Diversification = security.
Create in batches. When you have available time, record several. Next week you will thank present you when you're drained.
Interact. Engage. Answer DMs. Build real relationships. Your community is your foundation.
Track metrics. Not all content is worth creating. If something this report takes four hours and gets nothing while a different post takes no time and gets massive views, pivot.
Don't forget yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Take breaks. Protect your peace. Your wellbeing matters more than anything.
Stay patient. This is a marathon. It took me eight months to make decent money. My first year, I made barely $15,000. The second year, eighty thousand. This year, I'm making six figures. It's a marathon.
Remember why you started. On bad days—and there are many—remember your reason. For me, it's financial freedom, being present, and showing myself that I'm more than I believed.
The Reality Check
Real talk, I'm keeping it 100. Content creation as a single mom is challenging. Really hard. You're basically running a business while being the lone caretaker of kids who need everything.
Some days I question everything. Days when the hate comments hurt. Days when I'm burnt out and asking myself if I should just get a "normal" job with a 401k.
But then suddenly my daughter tells me she's happy I'm here. Or I look at my savings. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I remember why I do this.
The Future
A few years back, I was scared and struggling how to make it work. Fast forward, I'm a professional creator making way more than I made in my 9-5, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals now? Reach 500K by year-end. Begin podcasting for single parents. Maybe write a book. Keep growing this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Being a creator gave me a way out when I had nothing. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be there, and create something meaningful. It's unexpected, but it's where I belong.
To all the single moms wondering if you can do this: Yes you can. It isn't simple. You'll struggle. But you're managing the most difficult thing—raising humans alone. You're powerful.
Start imperfect. Keep showing up. Guard your peace. And don't forget, you're doing more than surviving—you're building something incredible.
Gotta go now, I need to go record a video about another last-minute project and surprise!. Because that's this life—content from the mess, one post at a time.
Honestly. Being a single mom creator? It's worth it. Despite there might be crushed cheerios all over my desk. That's the dream, one messy video at a time.