Working mom side hustles this year — for beginners for mothers seeking flexibility create financial freedom

I'm gonna be honest with you, mom life is absolutely wild. But you know what's even crazier? Attempting to earn extra income while dealing with toddlers and their chaos.

My hustle life began about several years ago when I discovered that my retail therapy sessions were getting out of hand. I needed cash that was actually mine.

Virtual Assistant Hustle

Here's what happened, I started out was jumping into virtual assistance. And I'll be real? It was perfect. I could work during naptime, and all I needed was a computer and internet.

My first tasks were easy things like handling emails, doing social media scheduling, and entering data. Pretty straightforward. I charged about $15-20 per hour, which wasn't much but as a total beginner, you gotta begin at the bottom.

Honestly the most hilarious thing? I'd be on a client call looking like I had my life together from the waist up—blazer, makeup, the works—while rocking sweatpants. That's the dream honestly.

My Etsy Journey

After getting my feet wet, I wanted to explore the selling on Etsy. Everyone and their mother seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I thought "why not get in on this?"

I began crafting downloadable organizers and wall art. What's great about digital products? You create it once, and it can make money while you sleep. For real, I've gotten orders at times when I didn't even know.

That initial sale? I lost my mind. My partner was like there was an emergency. Nope—I was just, cheering about my glorious $4.99. I'm not embarrassed.

Blogging and Creating

Eventually I ventured into writing and making content. This particular side gig is a marathon not a sprint, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.

I started a family lifestyle blog where I posted about my parenting journey—the messy truth. Keeping it real. Just the actual truth about surviving tantrums in Target.

Building traffic was a test of patience. For months, it was basically creating content for crickets. But I kept at it, and after a while, things gained momentum.

Now? I make money through affiliate marketing, brand partnerships, and ad revenue. Just last month I earned over two grand from my blog alone. Mind-blowing, right?

SMM Side Hustle

As I mastered running my own socials, small companies started asking if I could manage their accounts.

And honestly? A lot of local businesses are terrible with social media. They recognize they need a presence, but they can't keep up.

Enter: me. I handle social media for several small companies—different types of businesses. I develop content, queue up posts, handle community management, and check their stats.

They pay me between $500-1500 per month per client, depending on the scope of work. Best part? I handle this from my phone while sitting in the carpool line.

Freelance Writing Life

For those who can string sentences together, freelance writing is incredibly lucrative. I'm not talking becoming Shakespeare—this is business content.

Websites and businesses always need writers. 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.

Usually earn $50-150 per article, depending on what's involved. Certain months I'll write fifteen articles and make one to two thousand extra.

What's hilarious: Back in school I thought writing was torture. Now I'm making money from copyright. Life's funny like that.

The Online Tutoring Thing

After lockdown started, virtual tutoring became huge. I was a teacher before kids, so this was an obvious choice.

I started working with various tutoring services. You choose when you work, which is crucial when you have unpredictable little ones.

I mostly tutor basic subjects. You can make from $15-25 per hour depending on the platform.

What's hilarious? Occasionally my own kids will photobomb my lessons mid-session. There was a time I educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. The parents on the other end are totally cool about it because they're parents too.

The Reselling Game

Alright, this side gig started by accident. I was decluttering my kids' room and listed some clothes on copyright.

They sold within hours. Lightbulb moment: people will buy anything.

Now I frequent secondhand stores and sales, hunting for things that will sell. I purchase something for cheap and resell at a markup.

This takes effort? Absolutely. You're constantly listing and shipping. But there's something satisfying about discovering a diamond in the rough at the thrift store and making money.

Additionally: the kids think it's neat when I discover weird treasures. Just last week I scored a vintage toy that my son lost his mind over. Got forty-five dollars for it. Mom for the win.

The Honest Reality

Let me keep it real: side hustles take work. They're called hustles for a reason.

Certain days when I'm surviving on caffeine and spite, wondering why I'm doing this. I'm grinding at dawn getting stuff done while it's quiet, then handling mom duties, then working again after the kids are asleep.

But here's the thing? These are my earnings. No permission needed to splurge on something nice. I'm supporting the family budget. My kids are learning that women can hustle.

Advice for New Mom Hustlers

For those contemplating a mom hustle, this is what I've learned:

Begin with something manageable. You can't do everything at once. Pick one thing and nail it down before taking on more.

Honor your limits. If you only have evenings, that's perfectly acceptable. Two hours of focused work is better than nothing.

Comparison is the thief of joy to what you see online. Everyone you're comparing yourself to? She's been grinding forever and doesn't do it alone. Run your own race.

Invest in yourself, but carefully. You don't need expensive courses. Don't spend massive amounts on training until you've proven the concept.

Work in batches. I learned this the hard way. Use time blocks for different things. Monday might be writing day. Make Wednesday organizing and responding.

The Mom Guilt is Real

I have to be real with you—the mom guilt is real. Certain moments when I'm hustling and my child is calling for me, and I feel guilty.

Yet I think about that I'm modeling for them how to hustle. I'm showing my daughter that motherhood doesn't mean giving up your identity.

Also? Financial independence has made me a better mom. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me a better parent.

Income Reality Check

My actual income? Most months, combining everything, I pull in between three and five grand. Certain months are higher, some are slower.

Is this getting-rich money? No. But it's paid for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've been really hard. It's building my skills and knowledge that could turn into something bigger.

Final Thoughts

Here's the bottom line, being a mom with a side hustle is hard. There's no secret sauce. Many days I'm making it up as I go, powered by caffeine, and praying it all works out.

But I'm glad I'm doing this. Every single penny made is evidence of my capability. It demonstrates that I'm more than just mom.

For anyone contemplating diving into this? Start now. Begin before you're ready. Your tomorrow self will be so glad you did.

And remember: You're not merely making it through—you're building something. Despite the fact that you probably have snack crumbs everywhere.

Seriously. It's pretty amazing, chaos and all.

My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom

Real talk—being a single parent wasn't the dream. Neither was turning into an influencer. But here we are, three years into this wild journey, making a living by creating content while doing this mom thing solo. And not gonna lie? It's been life-changing in every way of my life.

How It Started: When Everything Changed

It was a few years ago when my divorce happened. I can still picture sitting in my new apartment (he got the furniture, I got the memories), wide awake at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had $847 in my checking account, two kids to support, and a job that barely covered rent. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.

I was scrolling social media to escape reality—because that's the move? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I came across this single mom sharing how she changed her life through posting online. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."

But being broke makes you bold. Or stupid. Probably both.

I downloaded 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' lunch boxes. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Why would anyone care about this disaster?

Spoiler alert, way more people than I expected.

That video got 47,000 views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me breakdown over frozen nuggets. The comments section was this incredible community—fellow solo parents, people living the same reality, all saying "same." That was my aha moment. People didn't want the highlight reel. 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 chose me. I became the mom who tells the truth.

I started creating content about the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I didn't change pants for days because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner all week and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my kid asked where daddy went, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who thinks the tooth fairy is real.

My content wasn't polished. My lighting was awful. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was unfiltered, and turns out, that's what resonated.

Within two months, I hit ten thousand followers. Three months later, 50K. By month six, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone blew my mind. Actual humans who wanted to listen to me. Plain old me—a financially unstable single mom who had to ask Google what this meant not long ago.

A Day in the Life: Managing It All

Let me paint you a picture of my typical day, because being a single mom creator is nothing like those perfect "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 begin creating. Sometimes it's a getting ready video sharing about financial reality. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while venting about custody stuff. The lighting is not great.

7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation stops. Now I'm in survival mode—pouring cereal, finding the missing shoe (why is it always one shoe), packing lunches, stopping fights. The chaos is intense.

8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom creating content in traffic at stop signs. Not my proudest moment, but content waits for no one.

9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Kids are at school. I'm editing videos, replying to DMs, thinking of ideas, sending emails, looking at stats. People think content creation is just posting videos. It's not. It's a real job.

I usually batch content on certain days. That means creating 10-15 pieces in one session. I'll swap tops so it looks like different days. Hot tip: Keep several shirts ready for quick changes. My neighbors probably think I'm unhinged, making videos in public in the driveway.

3:00pm: Pickup time. Parent time. But plot twist—often my top performing content come from real life. Just last week, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I couldn't afford a $40 toy. I recorded in the car later about managing big emotions as a lone parent. It got 2.3M views.

Evening: The evening routine. I'm generally wiped out to create content, but I'll queue up posts, check DMs, or plan tomorrow's content. Many nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll stay up editing because a partnership is due.

The truth? No such thing as balance. It's just managed chaos with occasional wins.

The Financial Reality: How I Support My Family

Alright, let's talk dollars because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you actually make money as a creator? Yes. Is it straightforward? Hell no.

My first month, I made nothing. Second month? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first brand deal—$150 to post about a meal kit service. I broke down. That hundred fifty dollars covered food.

Now, years later, here's how I earn income:

Brand Partnerships: This is my primary income. I work with brands that my followers need—affordable stuff, mom products, family items. I get paid anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per deal, depending on what's required. Just last month, I did four brand deals and made eight grand.

Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: Creator fund pays pennies—$200-$400 per month for millions of views. YouTube money is way better. I make about $1,500/month from YouTube, but that required years.

Affiliate Marketing: I share affiliate links to stuff I really use—everything from my go-to coffee machine to the beds my kids use. If someone clicks and buys, I get a commission. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.

Online Products: I created a money management guide and a meal prep guide. Each costs $15, and I sell 50-100 per month. That's another over a thousand dollars.

Teaching Others: Aspiring influencers pay me to show them how. I offer consulting calls for two hundred dollars. I do about several a month.

Combined monthly revenue: Generally, I'm making $10-15K per month these days. Certain months are better, some are lower. It's variable, which is scary when you're solo. But it's triple what I made at my 9-5, and I'm available for my kids.

The Hard Parts Nobody Talks About

From the outside it's great until you're crying in your car because a video flopped, or managing vicious comments from strangers who think they know your life.

The haters are brutal. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm a bad influence, told I'm fake about being a single mom. Someone once commented, "No wonder he left." That one destroyed me.

The algorithm shifts. Sometimes you're getting viral hits. Then suddenly, you're barely hitting 1K. Your income fluctuates. You're constantly creating, 24/7, nervous about slowing down, you'll lose relevance.

The mom guilt is worse beyond normal. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this too much? Is this okay? Will they regret this when they're older? I have strict rules—limited face shots, no discussing their personal struggles, nothing humiliating. But the line is blurry sometimes.

The I get burnt out. There are weeks when I have nothing. When I'm done, over it, and at my limit. But rent doesn't care. So I show up anyway.

The Wins

But here's what's real—despite the hard parts, this journey has given me things I never anticipated.

Economic stability for once in my life. I'm not wealthy, but I eliminated my debt. I have an cushion. We took a vacation last summer—Orlando, which felt impossible two years ago. I don't stress about my account anymore.

Flexibility 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 class party, I'm there. I'm in their lives in ways I couldn't manage with a normal job.

Connection that saved me. The creator friends I've found, especially solo parents, have become real friends. We connect, help each other, support each other. My followers have become this amazing support system. They cheer for me, support me, and make me feel seen.

Me beyond motherhood. Since becoming a mom, I have my own thing. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or somebody's mother. I'm a CEO. A creator. Someone who built something from nothing.

Advice for Aspiring Creators

If you're a solo parent considering content creation, here's what I wish someone had told me:

Begin now. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. That's okay. You grow through creating, not by waiting until everything is perfect.

Be authentic, not perfect. People can spot fake. Share your real life—the mess. That's what works.

Protect your kids. Set boundaries early. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is sacred. I never share their names, minimize face content, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.

Don't rely on one thing. Diversify or one revenue source. The algorithm is fickle. More streams = less stress.

Batch your content. When you have time alone, record several. Future you will appreciate it when you're burnt out.

Engage with your audience. Respond to comments. Reply to messages. Build real relationships. Your community is your foundation.

Analyze performance. Some content isn't worth it. If something is time-intensive and gets nothing while a different post takes minutes and goes viral, pivot.

Self-care matters. You matter too. Rest. Set boundaries. Your health matters most.

Stay patient. This is a marathon. It took me ages to make meaningful money. Year one, I made $15K total. Year 2, $80K. Now, I'm making six figures. It's a process.

Know your why. On bad days—and there are many—remember your reason. For me, it's money, time with my children, and validating that I'm stronger than I knew.

The Honest Truth

Look, I'm keeping it 100. This life is hard. Like, really freaking hard. You're running a whole business while being the only parent of demanding little people.

Certain days I doubt myself. Days when the negativity hurt. Days when I'm drained and asking myself if I should just get a "normal" job with consistent income.

But and then my daughter shares she's proud that I work from home. Or I check my balance and see money. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content helped her leave an unhealthy relationship. And I remember my purpose.

What's Next

Years ago, I was lost and broke what to do. Today, I'm a full-time content creator making more money than I ever did in my 9-5, and I'm there for my kids.

My goals going forward? Hit 500,000 followers by end of year. Start a podcast for solo parents. Consider writing a book. Keep building this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.

Being a creator gave me a second chance when I needed it most. It gave me a way to take care of my children, be there, and build something I'm genuinely proud of. It's unexpected, but it's perfect.

To any single parent thinking about starting: Hell yes you an original article can. It will be hard. You'll doubt yourself. But you're already doing the toughest gig—raising humans alone. You're stronger than you think.

Start messy. Be consistent. Prioritize yourself. And always remember, you're not just surviving—you're building something incredible.

BRB, I need to go make a video about homework I forgot about and nobody told me until now. Because that's the reality—content from the mess, one post at a time.

Honestly. Being a single mom creator? It's worth it. Even when there's probably old snacks stuck to my laptop right now. No regrets, one messy video at a time.