Real talk, mom life is a whole vibe. But here's the thing? Attempting to make some extra cash while managing kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.
This whole thing started for me about several years ago when I discovered that my Target runs were reaching dangerous levels. It was time to get funds I didn't have to justify spending.
The Virtual Assistant Life
So, my first gig was doing VA work. And I'll be real? It was chef's kiss. I was able to work during naptime, and literally all it took was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.
I began by simple tasks like email sorting, doing social media scheduling, and basic admin work. Not rocket science. I charged about $20/hour, which felt cheap but for someone with zero experience, you gotta prove yourself first.
Honestly the most hilarious thing? I would be on a video meeting looking completely put together from the chest up—business casual vibes—while wearing sweatpants. Main character energy.
Selling on Etsy
After getting my feet wet, I decided to try the handmade marketplace scene. Literally everyone seemed to be on Etsy, so I was like "why not start one too?"
I started making printable planners and wall art. The thing about selling digital stuff? Design it once, and it can sell forever. Literally, I've earned money at midnight when I'm unconscious.
The first time someone bought something? I freaked out completely. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. Not even close—just me, cheering about my five dollar sale. No shame in my game.
The Content Creation Grind
After that I discovered creating content online. This one is playing the long game, trust me on this.
I started a mom blog where I documented real mom life—the messy truth. No Instagram-perfect nonsense. Simply authentic experiences about finding mystery stains on everything I own.
Building traffic was slow. At the beginning, I was basically my only readers were my mom and two bots. But I persisted, and eventually, things took off.
These days? I generate revenue through affiliate links, brand partnerships, and ad revenue. Just last month I earned over $2,000 from my blog income. Crazy, right?
The Social Media Management Game
Once I got decent at managing my blog's social media, brands started asking if I could manage their accounts.
Here's the thing? Many companies don't understand social media. They understand they need a presence, but they don't have time.
Enter: me. I now manage social media for three local businesses—various small businesses. I plan their content, queue up posts, engage with followers, and analyze the metrics.
They pay me between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per client, depending on the scope of work. The best thing? I can do most of it from my phone during soccer practice.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
If you can write, freelancing is seriously profitable. Not like writing the next Great American Novel—I'm talking about blog posts, articles, website copy, product descriptions.
Companies constantly need fresh content. My assignments have included everything from dental hygiene to copyright. Google is your best friend, you just need to know how to find information.
Generally charge $0.10-0.50 per word, depending on length and complexity. Some months I'll crank out fifteen articles and pull in an extra $1,000-2,000.
Plot twist: I was that student who barely passed English class. These days I'm making money from copyright. Talk about character development.
Virtual Tutoring
2020 changed everything, tutoring went digital. I was a teacher before kids, so this was right up my alley.
I joined various tutoring services. You choose when you work, which is absolutely necessary when you have tiny humans who throw curveballs daily.
I focus on elementary school stuff. The pay ranges from $15-25 per hour depending on the company.
What's hilarious? There are times when my children will interrupt mid-session. There was a time I educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The parents on the other end are incredibly understanding because they understand mom life.
Flipping Items for Profit
Okay, this hustle I stumbled into. While organizing my kids' room and listed some clothes on various apps.
Things sold within hours. Lightbulb moment: there's a market for everything.
Now I shop at thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, searching for quality items. I purchase something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
This takes effort? Yes. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But I find it rewarding about finding hidden treasures at a garage sale and making money.
Bonus: my children are fascinated when I find unique items. Just last week I grabbed a rare action figure that my son freaked out about. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom for the win.
The Honest Reality
Here's the thing nobody tells you: this stuff requires effort. The word 'hustle' is there for a reason.
There are days when I'm exhausted, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm up at 5am working before my kids wake up, then handling mom duties, then back at it after 8pm hits.
But here's what matters? These are my earnings. I can spend it guilt-free to treat myself. I'm supporting our household income. I'm showing my kids that moms can do anything.
Advice for New Mom Hustlers
For those contemplating a side gig, here's what I'd tell you:
Start with one thing. Avoid trying to do everything at once. Start with one venture and master it before expanding.
Be realistic about time. If you only have evenings, that's fine. Whatever time you can dedicate is better than nothing.
Avoid comparing yourself to the highlight reels. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? She's been grinding forever and has resources you don't see. Stay in your lane.
Learn and grow, but strategically. Start with free stuff first. Avoid dropping massive amounts on training until you've validated your idea.
Batch your work. This saved my sanity. Set aside time blocks for different things. Monday might be making stuff day. Wednesday could be administrative work.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
I'm not gonna lie—I struggle with guilt. There are days when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I feel terrible.
Yet I consider that I'm showing them work ethic. I'm proving to them that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
And honestly? Making my own money has made me a better mom. I'm more content, which helps me be better.
Let's Talk Money
How much do I earn? Typically, between all my hustles, I earn $3K-5K. Some months are lower, it fluctuates.
Will this make you wealthy? Not really. But this money covers vacations, home improvements, and that emergency vet bill that would've caused financial strain. Plus it's building my skills and skills that could evolve into something huge.
In Conclusion
Listen, combining motherhood and entrepreneurship takes work. There's no such thing as the source here a perfect balance. Most days I'm improvising everything, powered by caffeine, and praying it all works out.
But I'm glad I'm doing this. Every dollar I earn is evidence of my capability. It's proof that I have identity beyond motherhood.
If you're on the fence about diving into this? Do it. Start messy. Future you will be so glad you did.
Always remember: You're not merely enduring—you're building something. Even though there's probably snack crumbs stuck to your laptop.
For real. This is pretty amazing, mess included.
From Survival Mode to Content Creator: My Journey as a Single Mom
Here's the truth—becoming a single mom was never the plan. Neither was building a creator business. But fast forward to now, three years into this wild journey, making a living by being vulnerable on the internet while doing this mom thing solo. And honestly? It's been the best worst decision of my life.
How It Started: When Everything Came Crashing Down
It was 2022 when my marriage ended. I remember sitting in my new apartment (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), wide awake at 2am while my kids were finally quiet. I had eight hundred forty-seven dollars in my account, two humans depending on me, and a job that barely covered rent. The anxiety was crushing, y'all.
I'd been mindlessly scrolling to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when everything is chaos, right?—when I came across this woman discussing how she made six figures through content creation. I remember thinking, "She's lying or got lucky."
But being broke makes you bold. Maybe both. Usually both.
I downloaded the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, sharing how I'd just blown my final $12 on a cheap food for my kids' lunches. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Who wants to watch my broke reality?
Plot twist, tons 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 turned into this incredible community—women in similar situations, other people struggling, all saying "same." That was my lightbulb moment. People didn't want perfect. They wanted honest.
My Brand Evolution: The Real Mom Life Brand
Here's what they don't say about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? It found me. I became the real one.
I started sharing the stuff nobody talks about. Like how I lived in one outfit because laundry felt impossible. Or when I served cereal as a meal all week and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked why daddy doesn't live here anymore, and I had to have big conversations to a kid who still believes in Santa.
My content wasn't polished. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was unfiltered, and apparently, that's what connected.
In just two months, I hit 10K. Three months later, 50K. By half a year, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone seemed fake. Actual humans who wanted to hear what I had to say. Little old me—a struggling single mom who had to figure this out from zero months before.
A Day in the Life: Content Creation Meets Real Life
Let me show you of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is nothing like those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.
5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I begin creating. Sometimes it's a getting ready video 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 stops. Now I'm in survival mode—feeding humans, the shoe hunt (it's always one shoe), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom filming at red lights at stop signs. I know, I know, but the grind never stops.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. House is quiet. I'm in editing mode, responding to comments, thinking of ideas, sending emails, reviewing performance. They believe content creation is simple. Nope. It's a entire operation.
I usually film in batches on Monday and Wednesday. That means shooting multiple videos in one sitting. I'll change shirts between videos so it appears to be different times. Hot tip: Keep several shirts ready for fast swaps. My neighbors must think I'm insane, recording myself alone in the driveway.
3:00pm: Picking them up. Parent time. But this is where it's complicated—many times my biggest hits come from this time. Just last week, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I said no to a $40 toy. I filmed a video in the car once we left about managing big emotions as a single parent. It got over 2 million views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm typically drained to create anything, but I'll schedule uploads, respond to DMs, or plan tomorrow's content. Many nights, after bedtime, I'll stay up editing because a deadline is coming.
The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just organized chaos with random wins.
Income Breakdown: How I Generate Income
Okay, let's discuss money because this is what everyone's curious about. Can you legitimately profit as a online creator? For sure. Is it effortless? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made zero dollars. Second month? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first brand deal—one hundred fifty dollars to share a meal delivery. I broke down. That hundred fifty dollars covered food.
Today, three years later, here's how I generate revenue:
Brand Deals: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that make sense—things that help, helpful services, kids' stuff. I charge anywhere from $500-5K per partnership, depending on what's required. Just last month, I did four partnerships and made $8,000.
Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: TikTok's creator fund pays very little—two to four hundred per month for millions of views. AdSense is more lucrative. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Links: I promote products to products I actually use—everything from my beloved coffee maker to the kids' beds. If someone purchases through my link, I get a commission. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.
Digital Products: I created a single mom budget planner and a meal prep guide. They're $15 each, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another $1,000-1,500.
One-on-One Coaching: New creators pay me to mentor them. I offer 1:1 sessions for $200 hourly. I do about 5-10 per month.
Total monthly income: Typically, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month these days. Some months I make more, some are tougher. It's inconsistent, which is scary when you're it. But it's 3x what I made at my old job, and I'm present.
The Struggles Nobody Talks About
It looks perfect online until you're having a breakdown because a video flopped, or dealing with nasty DMs from random people.
The haters are brutal. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm problematic, told I'm fake about being a solo parent. I'll never forget, "I'd leave too." That one hurt so bad.
The algorithm is unpredictable. One week you're getting insane views. The next, you're getting nothing. Your income varies wildly. You're constantly creating, never resting, scared to stop, you'll be forgotten.
The guilt is crushing beyond normal. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this appropriate? Are my kids safe? Will they be angry about this when they're older? I have firm rules—minimal identifying info, nothing too personal, protecting their dignity. But the line is fuzzy.
The exhaustion is real. Some weeks when I don't want to film anything. When I'm depleted, talked out, and totally spent. But life doesn't stop. So I create anyway.
The Unexpected Blessings
But listen—even with the struggles, this journey has brought me things I never imagined.
Financial freedom for the first time ever. I'm not rich, but I eliminated my debt. I have an safety net. We took a real vacation last summer—the Mouse House, which was a dream two years ago. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.
Control that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or lose income. I handled business at urgent care. When there's a school thing, I attend. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I wasn't able to be with a regular job.
Community that saved me. The other creators I've met, especially other moms, have become real friends. We talk, share strategies, lift each other up. My followers have become this beautiful community. They cheer for me, support me, and remind me I'm not alone.
Identity beyond "mom". Since becoming a mom, I have something that's mine. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or just a mom. I'm a entrepreneur. A businesswoman. A person who hustled.
Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start
If you're a single mom thinking about this, listen up:
Start before you're ready. Your first videos will be awful. Mine did. It's fine. You learn by doing, not by overthinking.
Authenticity wins. People can tell when you're fake. Share your actual life—the unfiltered truth. That resonates.
Prioritize their privacy. Set limits. Have standards. Their privacy is sacred. I don't use their names, minimize face content, and respect their dignity.
Diversify income streams. Don't rely on just one platform or one revenue source. The algorithm is fickle. Multiple streams = safety.
Batch your content. When you have quiet time, make a bunch. Future you will be grateful when you're burnt out.
Build community. Engage. Respond to DMs. Create connections. Your community is what matters.
Monitor what works. Time is money. If something takes forever and gets nothing while a different post takes very little time and gets 200,000 views, change tactics.
Prioritize yourself. You matter too. Step away. Guard your energy. Your sanity matters most.
This takes time. This takes time. It took me ages to make any real money. Year one, I made barely $15,000. Year 2, eighty thousand. Year three, I'm on track for six figures. It's a long game.
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, being present, and validating that I'm more than I believed.
Being Real With You
Listen, I'm telling the truth. This life is difficult. Like, really freaking hard. You're operating a business while being the sole caretaker of tiny humans who need you constantly.
Some days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the trolls hurt. Days when I'm burnt out and questioning if I should get a regular job with consistent income.
But then my daughter mentions she appreciates this. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I read a message from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I understand the impact.
The Future
A few years back, I was lost and broke how to make it work. Fast forward, I'm a professional creator making way more than I made in my old job, and I'm home when my kids get off the school bus.
My goals moving forward? Hit 500K by end of year. Start a podcast for solo parents. Write a book eventually. Keep building this business that changed my life.
Content creation gave me a lifeline when I had nothing. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be present in their lives, and create something meaningful. It's not the path I expected, but it's exactly where I needed to be.
To any single parent on the fence: Yes you can. It will be hard. You'll consider quitting. But you're already doing the hardest job—raising humans alone. You're tougher than you realize.
Jump in messy. Keep showing up. Keep your boundaries. And remember, you're beyond survival mode—you're creating something amazing.
BRB, I need to go make a video about another last-minute project and surprise!. Because that's the content creator single mom life—making content from chaos, video by video.
Honestly. This path? It's the best decision. Even if I'm sure there's Goldfish crackers stuck to my laptop right now. Dream life, one messy video at a time.