Let me spill, motherhood is a whole vibe. But you know what's even crazier? Attempting to earn extra income while handling kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
This whole thing started for me about a few years back when I had the epiphany that my impulse buys were getting out of hand. It was time to get funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Being a VA
Okay so, my initial venture was becoming a virtual assistant. And real talk? It was perfect. I was able to get stuff done when the house was finally peaceful, and the only requirement was a computer and internet.
I started with basic stuff like email management, doing social media scheduling, and data entry. Super simple stuff. My rate was about $20/hour, which felt cheap but as a total beginner, you gotta prove yourself first.
Here's what was wild? I would be on a Zoom call looking all professional from the chest up—looking corporate—while rocking sweatpants. Living my best life.
My Etsy Journey
After getting my feet wet, I wanted to explore the whole Etsy thing. Everyone and their mother seemed to be on Etsy, so I thought "why not me?"
I began making PDF planners and home decor prints. Here's why printables are amazing? One and done creation, and it can sell forever. For real, I've made sales at times when I didn't even know.
When I got my first order? I literally screamed. My husband thought I'd injured myself. Not even close—just me, celebrating my $4.99 sale. Judge me if you want.
Content Creator Life
After that I started creating content online. This hustle is definitely a slow burn, trust me on this.
I launched a parenting blog where I documented the chaos of parenting—everything unfiltered. Not the highlight reel. Simply authentic experiences about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.
Getting readers was slow. For months, I was basically talking to myself. But I persisted, and slowly but surely, things took off.
These days? I generate revenue through promoting products, collaborations, and ad revenue. Last month I earned over $2,000 from my blog income. Crazy, right?
SMM Side Hustle
After I learned managing my blog's social media, brands started inquiring if I could manage their accounts.
Here's the thing? Tons of businesses suck at social media. They recognize they need to be there, but they're too busy.
I swoop in. I oversee social media for several small companies—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I plan their content, schedule posts, handle community management, and check their stats.
I bill between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per business, depending on the scope of work. Here's what's great? I handle this from my iPhone.
Writing for Money
If you can write, writing gigs is a goldmine. This isn't writing the next Great American Novel—I'm talking about business click here content.
Websites and businesses 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 bill between fifty and two hundred per article, depending on length and complexity. Some months I'll create fifteen articles and bring in one to two thousand extra.
What's hilarious: Back in school I hated writing papers. And now I'm a professional writer. The irony.
Tutoring Online
When COVID hit, tutoring went digital. I used to be a teacher, so this was kind of a natural fit.
I signed up with VIPKid and Tutor.com. It's super flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have children who keep you guessing.
I mostly tutor K-5 subjects. Rates vary from $15-$25/hour depending on where you work.
What's hilarious? Every now and then my own kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I once had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. Other parents are very sympathetic because they're parents too.
Reselling and Flipping
Here me out, this hustle started by accident. I was cleaning out my kids' closet and posted some items on various apps.
Items moved immediately. Lightbulb moment: one person's trash is another's treasure.
Currently I hit up secondhand stores and sales, on the hunt for good brands. I grab something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.
This takes effort? Absolutely. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But there's something satisfying about finding hidden treasures at a garage sale and making profit.
Additionally: my kids are impressed when I discover weird treasures. Just last week I grabbed a rare action figure that my son absolutely loved. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Score one for mom.
The Honest Reality
Let me keep it real: this stuff requires effort. They're called hustles for a reason.
There are moments when I'm completely drained, wondering why I'm doing this. I'm up at 5am being productive before the madness begins, then doing all the mom stuff, then back to work after 8pm hits.
But here's the thing? These are my earnings. I can spend it guilt-free to buy the fancy coffee. I'm contributing to our financial goals. My kids are learning that you can have it all—sort of.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're considering a side hustle, here are my tips:
Don't go all in immediately. Avoid trying to start five businesses. Pick one thing and master it before taking on more.
Be realistic about time. If you only have evenings, that's fine. Two hours of focused work is better than nothing.
Avoid comparing yourself to what you see online. That mom with the six-figure side hustle? They've been at it for years and has resources you don't see. Do your thing.
Invest in yourself, but smartly. You don't need expensive courses. Don't waste massive amounts on training until you've validated your idea.
Batch tasks together. This is crucial. Use certain times for certain work. Use Monday for making stuff day. Wednesday might be admin and emails.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I'm not gonna lie—the mom guilt is real. There are days when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I feel guilty.
Yet I remind myself that I'm demonstrating to them that hard work matters. I'm showing my daughter that you can be both.
And honestly? Making my own money has made me a better mom. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me more patient.
Income Reality Check
My actual income? Generally, from all my side gigs, I bring in between three and five grand. Some months are better, it fluctuates.
Is this millionaire money? Not really. But we've used it to pay for so many things we needed that would've been really hard. Plus it's creating opportunities and skills that could become a full-time thing.
Wrapping This Up
At the end of the day, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship isn't easy. There's no magic formula. A lot of days I'm improvising everything, powered by caffeine, and crossing my fingers.
But I wouldn't change it. Every single bit of income is proof that I can do hard things. It demonstrates that I have identity beyond motherhood.
If you're thinking about diving into this? Start now. Start before it's perfect. You in six months will be so glad you did.
And remember: You aren't only surviving—you're building something. Even if there's probably mysterious crumbs in your workspace.
For real. The whole thing is where it's at, chaos and all.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Here's the truth—single motherhood wasn't part of my five-year plan. Nor was building a creator business. But yet here I am, years into this crazy ride, earning income by being vulnerable on the internet while parenting alone. And real talk? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.
Rock Bottom: When Everything Changed
It was 2022 when my life exploded. I remember sitting in my new apartment (he got the furniture, I got the memories), wide awake at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had less than a thousand dollars in my checking account, two humans depending on me, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I'd been scrolling TikTok to numb the pain—because that's what we do? when we're drowning, right?—when I stumbled on this single mom sharing how she became debt-free through content creation. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But rock bottom gives you courage. Maybe both. Usually both.
I got the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, venting about how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a pack of chicken nuggets and fruit snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Why would anyone care about my mess?
Plot twist, tons of people.
That video got forty-seven thousand 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, other people struggling, all saying "same." That was my turning point. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted raw.
My Brand Evolution: The Hot Mess Single Mom Brand
Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: finding your niche is everything. And my niche? It found me. I became the mom who tells the truth.
I started posting about the stuff no one shows. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because washing clothes was too much. Or the time I served cereal as a meal several days straight and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked where daddy went, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.
My content was raw. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was honest, and turns out, that's what resonated.
In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, 50,000. By month six, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone felt surreal. Real accounts who wanted to listen to me. Me—a broke single mom who had to ask Google what this meant recently.
The Daily Grind: Balancing Content and Chaos
Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because this life is the opposite of those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm blares. I do absolutely not want to wake up, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that I'll reheat three times, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me sharing about single mom finances. Sometimes it's me cooking while discussing parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation stops. Now I'm in full mom mode—cooking eggs, finding the missing shoe (why is it always one shoe), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is next level.
8:30am: Carpool line. I'm that mom filming at red lights at red lights. Not proud of this, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my power window. Kids are at school. I'm editing content, responding to comments, planning content, sending emails, checking analytics. People think content creation is just posting videos. Wrong. It's a entire operation.
I usually batch-create content on certain days. That means creating 10-15 pieces in a few hours. I'll change clothes so it seems like separate days. Advice: Keep several shirts ready for outfit changes. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, talking to my camera in the driveway.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Parent time. But here's where it gets tricky—many times my biggest hits come from the chaos. A few days ago, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I wouldn't buy a expensive toy. I created a video in the Target parking lot afterward about managing big emotions as a single parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm usually too exhausted to create content, but I'll schedule uploads, answer messages, or prep for tomorrow. Some nights, after bedtime, I'll edit for hours because a partnership is due.
The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just chaos with a plan with occasional wins.
The Financial Reality: How I Support My Family
Okay, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you legitimately profit as a influencer? Yes. Is it easy? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made $0. Month two? $0. Month three, I got my first brand deal—a hundred and fifty bucks to share a food subscription. I actually cried. That one-fifty paid for groceries.
Currently, years later, here's how I make money:
Brand Deals: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that my followers need—things that help, parenting tools, kid essentials. I get paid anywhere from $500-5K per partnership, depending on what they need. Last month, I did four collabs and made $8K.
Ad Money: The TikTok fund pays not much—two to four hundred per month for millions of views. AdSense is actually decent. I make about $1,500 monthly 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 bunk beds I bought. If they buy using my link, I get a commission. This brings in about $1K monthly.
Downloadables: I created a financial planner and a meal planning ebook. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.
Coaching/Consulting: Other aspiring creators pay me to guide them. I offer private coaching for two hundred per hour. I do about 5-10 per month.
Combined monthly revenue: Typically, I'm making $10,000-15,000 per month currently. It varies, some are tougher. It's variable, which is nerve-wracking when you're it. But it's 3x what I made at my old job, and I'm there for them.
The Struggles Nobody Shows You
It looks perfect online until you're sobbing alone because a post tanked, or dealing with vicious comments from keyboard warriors.
The negativity is intense. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm using my children, questioned about being a divorced parent. I'll never forget, "Maybe that's why he left." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm shifts. One week you're getting viral hits. The next, you're getting nothing. Your income varies wildly. You're always creating, never resting, scared to stop, you'll be forgotten.
The mom guilt is intense exponentially. Everything I share, I wonder: Am I sharing too much? Am I doing right by them? Will they be angry about this when they're adults? I have firm rules—minimal identifying info, no discussing their personal struggles, no embarrassing content. But the line is blurry sometimes.
The I get burnt out. Certain periods when I can't create. When I'm exhausted, socially drained, and at my limit. But rent doesn't care. So I push through.
The Unexpected Blessings
But here's the thing—even with the struggles, this journey has blessed me with things I never expected.
Money security for the first damn time. I'm not wealthy, but I cleared $18K. I have an savings. We took a vacation last summer—Disney World, which seemed impossible two years ago. I don't dread checking my balance anymore.
Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or stress about losing pay. I worked anywhere. When there's a class party, I'm present. I'm available in ways I couldn't be with a normal job.
My people that saved me. The fellow creators I've connected with, especially other single parents, have become true friends. We support each other, collaborate, lift each other up. My followers have become this amazing support system. They support me, lift me up, and remind me I'm not alone.
Something that's mine. Since becoming a mom, I have my own thing. I'm not just an ex or only a parent. I'm a entrepreneur. A content creator. Someone who made it happen.
What I Wish I Knew
If you're a solo parent curious about this, listen up:
Begin now. Your first videos will be terrible. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You improve over time, not by waiting until everything is perfect.
Be authentic, not perfect. People can sense inauthenticity. Share your real life—the chaos. That's what connects.
Prioritize their privacy. Establish boundaries. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is everything. I protect their names, minimize face content, and protect their stories.
Build multiple income streams. Diversify or a single source. The algorithm is unstable. Diversification = security.
Film multiple videos. When you have free time, create multiple pieces. Next week you will thank yourself when you're too exhausted to create.
Interact. Engage. Reply to messages. Create connections. Your community is what matters.
Track your time and ROI. Not all content is worth creating. If something requires tons of time and gets nothing while another video takes very little time and goes viral, change tactics.
Prioritize yourself. You need to fill your cup. Unplug. Protect your peace. Your mental health matters most.
Give it time. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me eight months to make any real money. The first year, I made fifteen thousand. The second year, $80K. Year 3, I'm making six figures. It's a long game.
Remember why you started. On tough days—and there are many—recall your purpose. For me, it's money, being present, and proving to myself that I'm capable of more than I thought possible.
Being Real With You
Look, I'm telling the truth. Content creation as a single mom is hard. Incredibly hard. You're running a whole business while being the sole caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
Certain days I question everything. Days when the hate comments get to me. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and questioning if I should just get a "normal" job with consistent income.
But and then my daughter says she's happy I'm here. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I understand the impact.
What's Next
A few years back, I was terrified and clueless what to do. Now, I'm a professional creator making more than I imagined in my 9-5, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500,000 followers by end of year. Launch a podcast for single parents. Consider writing a book. Continue building this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.
Content creation gave me a way out when I was desperate. It gave me a way to feed my babies, show up, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's not what I planned, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To any single parent on the fence: You can. It will be hard. You'll consider quitting. But you're handling the hardest job—single parenting. You're more capable than you know.
Begin messy. Stay consistent. Prioritize yourself. And remember, you're more than just surviving—you're creating something amazing.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go make a video about the project I just found out about and surprise!. Because that's the reality—content from the mess, video by video.
Honestly. This life? It's everything. Even if there's definitely Goldfish crackers in my keyboard. No regrets, chaos and all.