I'm gonna be honest with you, mom life is not for the weak. But plot twist? Trying to make some extra cash while dealing with toddlers and their chaos.
My hustle life began about a few years back when I figured out that my impulse buys were way too frequent. I was desperate for some independent income.
Being a VA
Okay so, I started out was doing VA work. And I'll be real? It was chef's kiss. I was able to get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and all I needed was a computer and internet.
Initially I was doing basic stuff like organizing inboxes, posting on social media, and data entry. Nothing fancy. My rate was about $15-20 per hour, which felt cheap but when you're just starting, you gotta begin at the bottom.
What cracked me up? I'd be on a Zoom call looking completely put together from the waist up—business casual vibes—while wearing pants I'd owned since 2015. Peak mom life.
Selling on Etsy
After a year, I wanted to explore the Etsy world. Every mom I knew seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I thought "why not start one too?"
My shop focused on making downloadable organizers and digital art prints. What's great about digital products? You create it once, and it can generate passive income forever. For real, I've earned money at ungodly hours.
When I got my first order? I freaked out completely. My husband thought the house was on fire. Not even close—just me, cheering about my first five bucks. Don't judge me.
Content Creator Life
Next I got into blogging and content creation. This particular side gig is a marathon not a sprint, let me tell you.
I started a blog about motherhood where I documented real mom life—everything unfiltered. Not the highlight reel. Only the actual truth about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Growing an audience was a test of patience. At the beginning, I was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I didn't give up, and eventually, things started clicking.
These days? I make money through affiliate marketing, working with brands, and display ads. This past month I generated over two thousand dollars from my website. Insane, right?
SMM Side Hustle
After I learned my own content, other businesses started reaching out if I could manage their accounts.
Here's the thing? Most small businesses don't understand social media. the post mentioned They recognize they should be posting, but they don't have time.
That's where I come in. I now manage social media for a handful of clients—different types of businesses. I develop content, queue up posts, handle community management, and analyze the metrics.
My rate is between $500-1500 per month per business, depending on the complexity. The best thing? I can do most of it from my phone during soccer practice.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For those who can string sentences together, freelance writing is a goldmine. I don't mean writing the next Great American Novel—this is business content.
Brands and websites constantly need fresh content. I've written everything from the most random topics. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to find information.
I typically charge $50-150 per article, depending on how complex it is. On good months I'll create fifteen articles and make $1-2K.
The funny thing is: Back in school I hated writing papers. And now I'm getting paid for it. Life's funny like that.
The Online Tutoring Thing
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. It's super flexible, which is absolutely necessary when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.
My sessions are usually 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. I once had to be professional while chaos erupted behind me. My clients are totally cool about it because they understand mom life.
Flipping Items for Profit
Alright, this hustle I stumbled into. During a massive cleanout my kids' things and put some things on Mercari.
Items moved so fast. I had an epiphany: people will buy anything.
Currently I hit up estate sales and thrift shops, hunting for quality items. I'll buy something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
It's definitely work? Not gonna lie. It's a whole process. But I find it rewarding about discovering a diamond in the rough at Goodwill and earning from it.
Also: my kids are impressed when I bring home interesting finds. Last week I discovered a vintage toy that my son freaked out about. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom for the win.
Real Talk Time
Real talk moment: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. There's work involved, hence the name.
There are moments when I'm exhausted, doubting everything. I'm grinding at dawn hustling before the chaos starts, then handling mom duties, then more hustle time after the kids are asleep.
But you know what? This income is mine. I'm not asking anyone to treat myself. I'm supporting the family budget. My kids are learning that women can hustle.
Tips if You're Starting Out
For those contemplating a side gig, here's my advice:
Start with one thing. Don't try to juggle ten things. Choose one hustle and become proficient before expanding.
Work with your schedule. Your available hours, that's okay. Even one focused hour is better than nothing.
Don't compare yourself to the highlight reels. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? She's been grinding forever and doesn't do it alone. Do your thing.
Invest in yourself, but carefully. There are tons of free resources. Avoid dropping thousands on courses until you've tested the waters.
Batch your work. This is crucial. Dedicate days for specific hustles. Monday might be making stuff day. Wednesday might be organizing and responding.
The Mom Guilt is Real
I have to be real with you—guilt is part of this. Certain moments when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I hate it.
However I think about that I'm teaching them that hard work matters. I'm proving to them that you can be both.
Also? Having my own income has been good for me. I'm happier, which translates to better parenting.
Income Reality Check
The real numbers? Generally, total from all sources, I bring in between three and five grand. Some months are better, some are tougher.
Is this getting-rich money? Nope. But it's paid for stuff that matters to us that would've caused financial strain. And it's creating opportunities and expertise that could grow into more.
Wrapping This Up
Look, doing this mom hustle thing is hard. You won't find a magic formula. Often I'm winging it, powered by caffeine, and praying it all works out.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Every penny made is proof that I can do hard things. It shows that I'm more than just mom.
If you're on the fence about beginning your hustle journey? Take the leap. Start before it's perfect. Future you will appreciate it.
Keep in mind: You're not merely making it through—you're building something. Even when there's likely Goldfish crackers on your keyboard.
No cap. It's incredible, despite the chaos.
From Survival Mode to Content Creator: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—being a single parent wasn't on my vision board. Neither was building a creator business. But fast forward to now, three years later, making a living by creating content while doing this mom thing solo. And real talk? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was three years ago when my life exploded. I can still picture sitting in my mostly empty place (I kept the kids' stuff, he took everything else), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids slept. I had barely $850 in my bank account, two humans depending on me, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The panic was real, y'all.
I was scrolling social media to numb the pain—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when we're drowning, right?—when I stumbled on this divorced mom sharing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through content creation. I remember thinking, "No way that's legit."
But when you're desperate, you try anything. Maybe both. Sometimes both.
I downloaded the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Completely unpolished, explaining how I'd just used my last twelve bucks on a cheap food for my kids' school lunches. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Who gives a damn about my mess?
Apparently, a lot of people.
That video got nearly 50,000 views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me nearly cry over $12 worth of food. The comments section was this safe space—people who got it, folks in the trenches, all saying "me too." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want perfection. They wanted honest.
Discovering My Voice: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what nobody tells you 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 people hide. Like how I didn't change pants for days because executive dysfunction is real. Or when I gave them breakfast for dinner several days straight and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my child asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to explain adult stuff to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was trash. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was unfiltered, and turns out, that's what connected.
Within two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, 50,000. By half a year, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone felt impossible. Actual humans who wanted to listen to me. Me—a barely surviving single mom who had to ask Google what this meant recently.
My Daily Reality: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because this life is not at all like those perfect "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 forget about, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a morning routine sharing about money struggles. Sometimes it's me making food while talking about parenting coordination. The lighting is not great.
7:00am: Kids get up. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in mommy mode—feeding humans, finding the missing shoe (seriously, always ONE), making lunch boxes, mediating arguments. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom filming at red lights at stop signs. Not proud of this, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. Peace and quiet. I'm editing content, responding to comments, ideating, pitching brands, checking analytics. They believe content creation is just making TikToks. Nope. It's a real job.
I usually batch content on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means filming 10-15 videos in one go. I'll switch outfits so it looks like different days. Pro tip: Keep wardrobe options close for outfit changes. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, recording myself alone in the driveway.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Parent time. But here's where it gets tricky—many times my top performing content come from these after-school moments. Recently, my daughter had a massive breakdown in Target because I couldn't afford a $40 toy. I recorded in the vehicle once we left about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got 2.3 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm typically drained to create anything, but I'll schedule content, respond to DMs, or strategize. Often, after bedtime, I'll edit for hours because a brand deadline is looming.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just controlled chaos with some victories.
Income Breakdown: How I Really Earn Money
Okay, let's talk numbers because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you actually make money as a influencer? For sure. Is it simple? Not even close.
My first month, I made nothing. Month two? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—one hundred fifty dollars to promote a meal delivery. I literally cried. That hundred fifty dollars paid for groceries.
Today, years later, here's how I generate revenue:
Brand Partnerships: This is my biggest income source. I work with brands that fit my niche—budget-friendly products, parenting tools, family items. I get paid anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per partnership, depending on the scope. Just last month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made eight thousand dollars.
Platform Payments: TikTok's creator fund pays basically nothing—maybe $200-400 per month for millions of views. YouTube ad revenue is more lucrative. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that required years.
Affiliate Income: I promote products to items I love—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds in their room. If someone clicks and buys, I get a kickback. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Digital Products: I created a financial planner and a cooking guide. They're $15 each, and I sell maybe 50-100 per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
Teaching Others: People wanting to start pay me to mentor them. I offer 1:1 sessions for two hundred dollars. I do about 5-10 a month.
Total monthly income: Most months, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month now. Some months are higher, some are less. It's inconsistent, which is terrifying 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
This sounds easy until you're losing it because a post got no views, or dealing with vicious comments from random people.
The hate comments are real. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm using my children, called a liar about being a divorced parent. One person said, "I'd leave too." That one stung for days.
The platform changes. One week you're getting insane views. The next, you're lucky to break 1,000. Your income varies wildly. You're never off, never resting, scared to stop, you'll fall behind.
The mom guilt is amplified to the extreme. Every upload, I wonder: Is this too much? Is this okay? Will they regret this when they're adults? I have firm rules—protected identities, keeping their stories private, nothing humiliating. But the line is fuzzy.
The I get burnt out. There are weeks when I am empty. When I'm depleted, over it, and at my limit. But the mortgage is due. So I do it anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's what's real—through it all, this journey has blessed me with things I never dreamed of.
Economic stability for the first time in my life. I'm not wealthy, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an safety net. We took a vacation last summer—Disney, which seemed impossible two years ago. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Control that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to use PTO or worry about money. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a field trip, I can go. I'm available in ways I couldn't be with a traditional 9-5.
My people that saved me. The fellow creators I've connected with, especially other single parents, have become true friends. We talk, collaborate, encourage each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They hype me up, encourage me through rough patches, and show me I'm not alone.
My own identity. After years, I have something that's mine. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or someone's mom. I'm a entrepreneur. A creator. Someone who built something from nothing.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a solo parent curious about this, listen up:
Begin now. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. That's normal. You learn by doing, not by procrastinating.
Be yourself. People can tell when you're fake. Share your actual life—the chaos. That resonates.
Keep them safe. Create rules. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is non-negotiable. I don't use their names, rarely show their faces, and protect their stories.
Multiple revenue sources. Spread it out or one revenue source. The algorithm is unpredictable. Diversification = security.
Batch your content. When you have quiet time, film multiple videos. Future you will be grateful when you're unable to film.
Interact. Reply to comments. Reply to messages. Be real with them. Your community is everything.
Analyze performance. Not all content is worth creating. If something takes four hours and tanks while another video takes 20 minutes and blows up, change tactics.
Don't forget yourself. Self-care isn't selfish. Unplug. Guard your energy. Your wellbeing matters more than going viral.
Give it time. This is a marathon. It took me eight months to make real income. The first year, I made maybe $15,000 total. The second year, $80,000. Now, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a long game.
Stay connected to your purpose. On difficult days—and trust me, there will be—recall your purpose. For me, it's supporting my kids, time with my children, and demonstrating that I'm stronger than I knew.
Real Talk Time
Real talk, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. This journey is hard. Really hard. You're managing a business while being the sole caretaker of kids who need everything.
There are days I doubt myself. Days when the negativity affect me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and asking myself if I should go back to corporate with insurance.
But and then my daughter tells me she loves that I'm home. Or I check my balance and see money. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I know it's worth it.
What's Next
Years ago, I was lost and broke how I'd survive as a single mom. Now, I'm a full-time content creator making more money than I ever did in traditional work, and I'm present for everything.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500K by December. Begin podcasting for other single moms. Write a book eventually. Expand this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
This journey gave me a second chance when I had nothing. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be available, and build something real. It's not the path I expected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To any single parent wondering if you can do this: You absolutely can. It will be hard. You'll struggle. But you're already doing the most difficult thing—parenting solo. You're powerful.
Start messy. Stay the course. Guard your peace. And always remember, you're beyond survival mode—you're building something incredible.
BRB, 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.
Seriously. This path? It's everything. Even if I'm sure there's crushed cheerios all over my desk. Dream life, one messy video at a time.