Real talk, motherhood is not for the weak. But plot twist? Trying to secure the bag while dealing with kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
I entered the side gig world about several years ago when I discovered that my retail therapy sessions were way too frequent. I was desperate for funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Here's what happened, my first gig was becoming a virtual assistant. And I'll be real? It was ideal. I was able to get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and literally all it took was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
I started with basic stuff like handling emails, posting on social media, and basic admin work. Nothing fancy. My rate was about $20/hour, which seemed low but as a total beginner, you gotta prove yourself first.
What cracked me up? There I was on a client call looking like I had my life together from the chest up—blazer, makeup, the works—while sporting pants I'd owned since 2015. That's the dream honestly.
Selling on Etsy
About twelve months in, I thought I'd test out the Etsy world. Every mom I knew seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I thought "why not get in on this?"
I began making printable planners and wall art. The beauty of printables? One and done creation, and it can make money while you sleep. Actually, I've gotten orders at times when I didn't even know.
My first sale? I literally screamed. He came running thinking something was wrong. But no—I was just, celebrating my glorious $4.99. No shame in my game.
Blogging and Creating
Eventually I ventured into blogging and content creation. This particular side gig is definitely a slow burn, let me tell you.
I launched a blog about motherhood where I documented the chaos of parenting—all of it, no filter. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Just honest stories about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Getting readers was painfully slow. The first few months, it was basically writing for myself and like three people. But I kept at it, and slowly but surely, things took off.
Currently? I earn income through promoting products, working with brands, and display ads. Just last month I made over $2,000 from my website. Insane, right?
Managing Social Media
Once I got decent at my own content, local businesses started inquiring if I could help them.
Real talk? Most small businesses suck at social media. They know they need to be there, but they're too busy.
I swoop in. I currently run social media for three local businesses—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I plan their content, queue up posts, interact with their audience, and check their stats.
My rate is between $500-$1500/month per client, depending on the scope of work. What I love? I can do most of it from my phone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If writing is your thing, freelance writing is incredibly lucrative. Not like becoming Shakespeare—this is business content.
Companies need content constantly. My assignments have included everything from the most random topics. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to be able to learn quickly.
Generally charge $0.10-0.50 per word, depending on how complex it is. On good months I'll produce a dozen articles and make $1-2K.
What's hilarious: I was the person who barely passed English class. Currently I'm making money from copyright. Life's funny like that.
The Online Tutoring Thing
When COVID hit, tutoring went digital. I used to be a teacher, so this was an obvious choice.
I started working with VIPKid and Tutor.com. It's super flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have children who keep you guessing.
My sessions are usually elementary school stuff. Income ranges from fifteen to thirty bucks per hour depending on which site you use.
Here's what's weird? Occasionally my kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. There was a time I maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. The parents on the other end are totally cool about it because they get it.
Flipping Items for Profit
Okay, this one started by accident. I was cleaning out my kids' room and put some things on copyright.
Stuff sold out instantly. That's when I realized: there's a market for everything.
These days I visit anywhere with deals, looking for name brands. I purchase something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
This takes effort? Not gonna lie. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But it's strangely fulfilling about spotting valuable items at a yard sale and making profit.
Bonus: my kids are impressed when I score cool vintage stuff. Recently I grabbed a vintage toy that my son freaked out about. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Mom win.
The Truth About Side Hustles
Real talk moment: these aren't get-rich-quick schemes. They're called hustles for a reason.
Certain days when I'm exhausted, doubting everything. I'm up at 5am hustling before the chaos starts, then being a full-time parent, then back at it after everyone's in bed.
But you know what? This income is mine. No permission needed to splurge on something nice. I'm supporting the family budget. My kids are learning that moms can do anything.
Tips if You're Starting Out
If you want to start a hustle of your own, this is what I've learned:
Start with one thing. Avoid trying to start five businesses. Choose one hustle and get good at it before starting something else.
Use the time you have. If naptime is your only free time, that's fine. A couple of productive hours is valuable.
Comparison is the thief of joy to Instagram moms. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? She probably started years ago and doesn't do it alone. Do your thing.
Don't be afraid to invest, but wisely. Free information exists. Don't spend massive amounts on training until you've tried things out.
Batch tasks together. This changed everything. Dedicate time blocks for different things. Make Monday creation day. Use Wednesday for administrative work.
Dealing with Mom Guilt
Let me be honest—I struggle with guilt. There are times when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I hate it.
However I think about that I'm showing them that hard work matters. I'm proving to them that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.
Also? Financial independence has made me a better mom. I'm happier, which translates to better parenting.
Income Reality Check
So what do I actually make? Generally, from all my side gigs, I pull in $3K-5K. It varies, some are tougher.
Is this millionaire money? No. But this money covers vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've caused financial strain. And it's building my skills and skills that could become a full-time thing.
Final Thoughts
Look, hustling as a mom isn't easy. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach. Many days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, powered by caffeine, and praying it all works out.
But I don't regret it. Every single penny made is validation of my effort. It shows that I'm not just someone's mother.
For anyone contemplating diving into this? Do it. Start messy. Your tomorrow self will be grateful.
Always remember: You're not just enduring—you're growing something incredible. Even if there's probably mysterious crumbs on your keyboard.
Not even kidding. The whole thing is pretty amazing, complete with all the chaos.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Real talk—becoming a single mom wasn't the dream. I also didn't plan on making money from my phone. But here we are, three years later, paying bills by being vulnerable on the internet while doing this mom thing solo. And honestly? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.
The Starting Point: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was a few years ago when my divorce happened. I remember sitting in my half-empty apartment (he got the furniture, I got the memories), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had $847 in my bank account, two mouths to feed, and a salary that was a joke. The panic was real, y'all.
I was on TikTok to escape reality—because that's self-care at 2am, right? in crisis mode, right?—when I saw this solo parent sharing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through making videos. I remember thinking, "That can't be real."
But when you're desperate, you try anything. Maybe both. Sometimes both.
I downloaded the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, explaining how I'd just blown my final $12 on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunches. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Why would anyone care about my mess?
Spoiler alert, way more people than I expected.
That video got forty-seven thousand views. 47,000 people watched me breakdown over $12 worth of food. The comments section turned into this safe space—people who got it, people living the same reality, all saying "me too." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want perfect. They wanted raw.
Discovering My Voice: The Honest Single Parent Platform
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? It found me. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started creating content about the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner multiple nights and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my child asked why we don't live with dad, and I had to discuss divorce to a kid who is six years old.
My content was rough. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a busted phone. But it was honest, and apparently, that's what resonated.
Two months later, I hit 10K. Month three, 50K. By month six, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone seemed fake. People who wanted to know my story. Plain old me—a broke single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" months before.
The Actual Schedule: Managing It All
Let me show you of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is the opposite of those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a morning routine talking about financial reality. Sometimes it's me making food while discussing custody stuff. The lighting is natural and terrible.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in full mom mode—pouring cereal, hunting for that one shoe (why is it always one shoe), throwing food in bags, stopping fights. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom filming at red lights in the car. Not my proudest moment, but I gotta post.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. Peace and quiet. I'm cutting clips, responding to comments, brainstorming content ideas, reaching out to brands, looking at stats. They believe content creation is just posting videos. It's not. It's a entire operation.
I usually film in batches on certain days. That means creating 10-15 pieces in a few hours. I'll change shirts between videos so it seems like separate days. Pro tip: Keep different outfits accessible for fast swaps. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, making videos in public in the driveway.
3:00pm: Pickup time. Parent time. But plot twist—frequently my best content ideas come from this time. A few days ago, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I wouldn't buy a toy she didn't need. I recorded in the parking lot once we left about dealing with meltdowns as a lone parent. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm generally wiped out to create anything, but I'll schedule uploads, respond to DMs, or plan tomorrow's content. Some nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll work late because a client needs content.
The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just chaos with a plan with moments of success.
Let's Talk Income: How I Actually Make a Living
Okay, let's talk dollars because this is what you're wondering. Can you actually make money as a creator? For sure. Is it effortless? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made $0. Month two? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first brand deal—$150 to promote a meal delivery. I actually cried. That one-fifty paid for groceries.
Currently, years later, here's how I monetize:
Brand Deals: This is my primary income. I work with brands that my followers need—practical items, helpful services, family items. I get paid anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per partnership, depending on what's required. This past month, I did four collabs and made eight thousand dollars.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: TikTok's creator fund pays very little—a few hundred dollars per month for tons of views. AdSense is actually decent. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Income: I share links to stuff I really use—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the kids' beds. If they buy using my link, I get a kickback. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.
Info Products: I created a money management guide and a cooking guide. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.
Consulting Services: Other aspiring creators pay me to mentor them. I offer consulting calls for $200 hourly. I do about several each month.
Overall monthly earnings: On average, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month currently. It varies, some are less. It's up and down, which is terrifying when you're it. But it's three times what I made at my previous job, and I'm available for my kids.
The Hard Parts Nobody Mentions
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're crying in your car because a video didn't perform, or dealing with vicious comments from keyboard warriors.
The hate comments are real. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm exploiting my kids, told I'm fake about being a single mom. Someone once commented, "Maybe your husband left because you're annoying." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm is unpredictable. One week you're getting millions of views. Next month, you're getting nothing. Your income fluctuates. You're always creating, always "on", worried that if you take a break, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is amplified to the extreme. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Am I doing right by them? Will they hate me for this when they're adults? I have firm rules—limited face shots, no sharing their private stuff, nothing humiliating. But the line is hard to see.
The exhaustion is real. Sometimes when I don't want to film anything. When I'm exhausted, socially drained, and totally spent. But rent doesn't care. So I do it anyway.
The Wins
But the truth is—despite the hard parts, this journey has brought me things I never anticipated.
Money security for the first time in my life. I'm not rich, but I eliminated my debt. I have an savings. We took a family trip last summer—the Mouse House, which was a dream two years ago. I don't panic about money anymore.
Flexibility that's priceless. When my boy was sick 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 field trip, I can go. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I wasn't with a normal job.
Support that saved me. The other creators I've befriended, especially solo parents, have become real friends. We connect, share strategies, encourage each other. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They support me, support me, and make me feel seen.
Something that's mine. After years, I have something that's mine. I'm not just an ex or just a mom. I'm a entrepreneur. An influencer. Someone who created this.
My Best Tips
If you're a single parent thinking about this, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. That's okay. You improve over time, not by procrastinating.
Authenticity wins. People can tell when you're fake. Share your honest life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That resonates.
Keep them safe. Set limits. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is everything. I don't use their names, protect their faces, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Multiple revenue sources. Don't rely on just one platform or one income stream. The algorithm is unpredictable. Multiple streams = safety.
Batch create content. When you a clear breakdown have available time, film multiple videos. Next week you will thank present you when you're too exhausted to create.
Connect with followers. Respond to comments. Reply to messages. Build real relationships. Your community is what matters.
Track your time and ROI. Some content isn't worth it. If something takes forever and gets nothing while something else takes no time and goes viral, pivot.
Don't forget yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Rest. Set boundaries. Your mental health matters more than going viral.
Give it time. This requires patience. It took me eight months to make real income. Year one, I made barely $15,000. Year 2, $80K. Year three, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a journey.
Remember why you started. On hard days—and there will be many—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's supporting my kids, time with my children, and demonstrating that I'm capable of anything.
The Honest Truth
Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Being a single mom creator is challenging. Like, really freaking hard. You're operating a business while being the only parent of kids who need everything.
Some days I question everything. Days when the nasty comments get to me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and questioning if I should quit this with benefits and a steady paycheck.
But and then my daughter tells me she appreciates this. Or I see financial progress. Or I receive a comment from a follower saying my content helped her leave an unhealthy relationship. And I remember my purpose.
My Future Plans
A few years back, I was broke, scared, and had no idea how I'd survive as a single mom. Fast forward, I'm a full-time creator making triple what I earned in my old job, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500K by this year. Start a podcast for solo parents. Maybe write a book. Keep growing this business that makes everything possible.
Content creation gave me a second chance when I was drowning. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be there, and build something real. It's not what I planned, but it's perfect.
To all the single moms thinking about starting: Yes you can. It will be challenging. You'll doubt yourself. But you're already doing the most difficult thing—single parenting. You're more capable than you know.
Start imperfect. Keep showing up. Protect your peace. And always remember, you're not just surviving—you're building something incredible.
Gotta go now, I need to go record a video about the project I just found out about and I just learned about it. Because that's this life—chaos becomes content, one TikTok at a time.
Seriously. Being a single mom creator? It's everything. Even if there's definitely Goldfish crackers everywhere. No regrets, chaos and all.