Stay-at-home mom side hustles right now : made simple helping women entrepreneurs create financial freedom

Let me tell you, motherhood is literally insane. But what's really wild? Working to hustle for money while managing tiny humans who think sleep is optional.

My hustle life began about three years ago when I had the epiphany that my impulse buys were becoming problematic. I had to find my own money.

The Virtual Assistant Life

Okay so, my first gig was becoming a virtual assistant. And not gonna lie? It was exactly what I needed. I could work during naptime, and all I needed was my trusty MacBook and a prayer.

My first tasks were easy things like organizing inboxes, doing social media scheduling, and basic admin work. Super simple stuff. I started at about $20/hour, which seemed low but for someone with zero experience, you gotta begin at the bottom.

What cracked me up? I would be on a Zoom call looking like I had my life together from the waist up—looking corporate—while wearing my rattiest leggings. Living my best life.

My Etsy Journey

After getting my feet wet, I decided to try the selling on Etsy. All my mom friends seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I figured "why not join the party?"

I began crafting PDF planners and home decor prints. Here's why printables are amazing? Make it one time, and it can generate passive income forever. Actually, I've made sales at midnight when I'm unconscious.

That initial sale? I lost my mind. He came running thinking there was an emergency. Nope—I was just, cheering about my $4.99 sale. I'm not embarrassed.

Content Creator Life

Eventually I got into writing and making content. This hustle is definitely a slow burn, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.

I began a mom blog where I posted about real mom life—all of it, no filter. Not the highlight reel. Just authentic experiences about how I once found a chicken nugget in my bra.

Getting readers was painfully slow. At the beginning, I was basically my only readers were my mom and two bots. But I kept at it, and eventually, things started clicking.

These days? I generate revenue through promoting products, brand partnerships, and display ads. Last month I earned over $2,000 from my blog income. Crazy, right?

SMM Side Hustle

As I mastered my own content, brands started inquiring if I could run their social media.

And honestly? Tons of businesses are terrible with social media. They realize they have to be on it, but they're clueless about the algorithm.

I swoop in. I handle social media for several small companies—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I make posts, schedule posts, handle community management, and check their stats.

I charge between five hundred to a thousand dollars per month per business, depending on what they need. Best part? I manage everything from my phone during soccer practice.

The Freelance Writing Hustle

For those who can string sentences together, content writing is where it's at. I don't mean becoming Shakespeare—I mean business content.

Companies need content constantly. I've written everything from the most random topics. You just need to research, you just need to be able to learn quickly.

I typically charge $50-150 per article, depending on what's involved. Certain months I'll write ten to fifteen pieces and earn $1-2K.

The funny thing is: I was that student who hated writing papers. And now I'm making money from copyright. Life is weird.

Virtual Tutoring

During the pandemic, online tutoring exploded. With my teaching background, so this was right up my alley.

I joined VIPKid and Tutor.com. You choose when you work, which is absolutely necessary when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.

I mostly tutor elementary reading and math. Income ranges from $15-$25/hour depending on where you work.

The awkward part? Every now and then my kids will photobomb my lessons mid-session. I've literally had to maintain composure during complete chaos in the background. The families I work with are incredibly understanding because they're parents too.

Flipping Items for Profit

Alright, this one wasn't planned. While organizing my kids' things and listed some clothes on Mercari.

Items moved so fast. I had an epiphany: people will buy anything.

Currently I visit estate sales and thrift shops, searching for things that will sell. I'll find something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.

It's definitely work? Not gonna lie. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But it's strangely fulfilling about finding a gem at Goodwill and making money.

Plus: my kids think I'm cool when I find unique items. Last week I found a collectible item that my son went crazy for. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Score one for mom.

The Truth About Side Hustles

Let me keep it real: side hustles take work. It's called hustling because you're hustling.

Some days when I'm completely drained, asking myself what I'm doing. I wake up early working before my kids wake up, then doing all the mom stuff, then back at it after 8pm hits.

But you know what? These are my earnings. I'm not asking anyone to splurge on something nice. I'm contributing to our financial goals. My kids are learning that moms can do anything.

Tips if You're Starting Out

For those contemplating a mom hustle, here's what I'd tell you:

Don't go all in immediately. Don't try to launch everything simultaneously. Start with one venture and become proficient before starting something else.

Honor your limits. Your available hours, that's perfectly acceptable. Two hours of focused work is more than enough to start.

Avoid comparing yourself to Instagram moms. The successful ones you see? They've been at it for years and has help. Run your own race.

Learn and grow, but wisely. There are tons of free resources. Be careful about spending massive amounts on training until you've proven the concept.

Do similar tasks together. This changed everything. Block off certain times for certain work. Monday could be making stuff day. Make Wednesday administrative work.

Let's Talk Mom Guilt

I have to be real with you—the mom guilt is real. Certain moments when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I feel guilty.

But I remind myself that I'm showing them work ethic. I'm showing my daughter that moms can have businesses.

Additionally? Earning independently has been good for me. I'm more content, which helps me be better.

Income Reality Check

So what do I actually make? On average, total from all sources, I make $3,000-5,000 per month. Certain months are higher, some are tougher.

Is this getting-rich money? Not really. But it's paid for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've been impossible otherwise. And it's giving me confidence and skills that could grow into more.

In Conclusion

At the end of the day, being a mom with a side hustle isn't easy. There's no secret sauce. Most days I'm improvising everything, powered by caffeine, and hoping for the best.

But I'm proud of this journey. Every single dollar earned is a testament to my hustle. It's proof that I'm not just someone's mother.

So if you're considering diving into this? Go for it. Start messy. Future you will appreciate it.

Don't forget: You're more than surviving—you're growing something incredible. Even though there's probably Goldfish crackers stuck to your laptop.

Not even kidding. The whole thing is incredible, despite the chaos.

My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom

Let me be real with you—single motherhood was never the plan. I never expected to be turning into an influencer. But here we are, three years into this wild journey, earning income by being vulnerable on the internet while raising two kids basically solo. And not gonna lie? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.

Rock Bottom: When Everything Came Crashing Down

It was 2022 when my marriage ended. I can still picture sitting in my new apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), wide awake at 2am while my kids were asleep. I had $847 in my bank account, two mouths to feed, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.

I'd been scrolling TikTok to escape reality—because that's how we cope? when we're drowning, right?—when I came across this single mom discussing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through being a creator. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."

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

I downloaded the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Raw, unfiltered, messy hair, explaining how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Who wants to watch my mess?

Spoiler alert, a lot of people.

That video got 47K views. Forty-seven thousand people watched me almost lose it over $12 worth of food. The comments section was this incredible community—other single moms, people living the same reality, all saying "same." That was my epiphany. People didn't want the highlight reel. They wanted authentic.

Finding My Niche: The Real Mom Life Brand

Here's what they don't say about content creation: your niche matters. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the unfiltered single mom.

I started posting about the stuff people hide. Like how I wore the same leggings all week because laundry felt impossible. Or when I let them eat Lucky Charms for dinner multiple nights and called it "breakfast for dinner week." Or that moment when my child asked where daddy went, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who still believes in Santa.

My content was rough. My lighting was non-existent. I filmed on a ancient iPhone. But it was authentic, and evidently, that's what resonated.

In just two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Three months later, 50K. By half a year, I'd crossed six figures. Each milestone seemed fake. People who wanted to listen to me. Me—a barely surviving single mom who had to ask Google what this meant months before.

A Day in the Life: Managing It All

Here's the reality of my typical day, because creating content solo is totally different from those perfect "day in the life" videos you see.

5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do not want to move, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that I'll microwave repeatedly, and I start filming. Sometimes it's a morning routine discussing financial reality. Sometimes it's me prepping lunches while sharing co-parenting struggles. The lighting is whatever I can get.

7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation stops. Now I'm in parent mode—pouring cereal, locating lost items (it's always one shoe), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is real.

8:30am: School drop-off. I'm that mom making videos while driving in the car. I know, I know, but bills don't care.

9:00am-2:00pm: This is my work block. Kids are at school. I'm cutting clips, engaging with followers, thinking of ideas, pitching brands, analyzing metrics. They believe content creation is just posting videos. Wrong. It's a real job.

I usually batch content 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 definitely think I'm crazy, filming myself talking to my phone in the backyard.

3:00pm: School pickup. Parent time. But here's where it gets tricky—frequently my biggest hits come from real life. Last week, my daughter had a complete meltdown in Target because I couldn't afford a expensive toy. I filmed a video in the Target parking lot after about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got 2.3M views.

Evening: All the evening things. I'm usually too exhausted to make videos, but I'll schedule content, reply to messages, or outline content. Certain nights, after everyone's sleeping, I'll work late because a partnership is due.

The truth? There's no balance. It's just controlled chaos with occasional wins.

The Financial Reality: How I Really Earn Money

Okay, let's discuss money because this is what you're wondering. Can you actually make money as a influencer? Absolutely. Is it easy? Hell no.

My first month, I made nothing. Month two? Also nothing. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—one hundred fifty dollars to post about a meal box. I literally cried. That one-fifty fed us.

Currently, three years in, here's how I monetize:

Brand Partnerships: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that my followers need—affordable stuff, mom products, kid essentials. I ask for anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per campaign, depending on what's required. This past month, I did four collabs and made eight grand.

Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: Creator fund pays not much—a few hundred dollars per month for tons of views. YouTube money is way better. I make about fifteen hundred a month from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.

Affiliate Marketing: I post links to products I actually use—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the beds my kids use. If they buy using my link, I get a cut. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.

Downloadables: I created a money management guide and a meal prep guide. $15 apiece, and I sell dozens per month. That's another $1,000-1,500.

Teaching Others: Other aspiring creators pay me to guide them. I offer private coaching for $200 hourly. I do about 5-10 a month.

Total monthly income: On average, I'm making between ten and fifteen grand per month at this point. It varies, some are lower. It's inconsistent, which is stressful when you're it. But it's triple what I made at my previous job, and I'm there for them.

The Struggles Nobody Posts About

It looks perfect online until you're having a breakdown because a video flopped, or reading vicious comments from strangers who think they know your life.

The negativity is intense. I've been called a bad mom, told I'm using my children, called a liar about being a solo parent. One person said, "No wonder he left." That one stung for days.

The algorithm shifts. One week you're getting huge numbers. The next, you're lucky to break 1,000. Your income fluctuates. You're always on, never resting, nervous about slowing down, you'll fall behind.

The mom guilt is amplified times a thousand. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this too much? Are my kids safe? Will they resent this when they're teenagers? I have firm rules—minimal identifying info, nothing too personal, protecting their dignity. But the line is hard to see.

The burnout is real. There are weeks when I have nothing. When I'm done, socially drained, and just done. But the mortgage is due. So I show up anyway.

What Makes It Worth It

But here's what's real—through it all, this journey has blessed me with things I never imagined.

Financial stability for once in my life. I'm not loaded, but I cleared $18K. I have an safety net. We took a vacation last summer—Disney, which felt impossible two years ago. I don't panic about money anymore.

Schedule freedom that's priceless. When my child had a fever last month, I didn't have to call in to work or lose income. I worked anywhere. When there's a field trip, I get more info attend. I'm present in my kids' lives in ways I couldn't be with a corporate job.

Connection that saved me. The creator friends I've found, especially single moms, have become true friends. We connect, exchange tips, encourage each other. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They celebrate my wins, lift me up, and show me I'm not alone.

My own identity. Since becoming a mom, I have my own thing. I'm not just someone's ex-wife or just a mom. I'm a CEO. A content creator. Someone who made it happen.

My Best Tips

If you're a single parent thinking about this, here's what I'd tell you:

Don't wait. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. That's normal. You get better, not by waiting.

Keep it real. People can smell fake from a mile away. 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 sacred. I never share their names, protect their faces, and respect their dignity.

Build multiple income streams. Don't rely on just one platform or a single source. The algorithm is unstable. Multiple streams = safety.

Film multiple videos. When you have time alone, create multiple pieces. Next week you will appreciate it when you're burnt out.

Connect with followers. Engage. Answer DMs. Connect authentically. Your community is everything.

Monitor what works. Time is money. If something takes four hours and flops while something else takes no time and goes viral, change tactics.

Prioritize yourself. You need to fill your cup. Take breaks. Protect your peace. Your mental health matters more than going viral.

Stay patient. This is a marathon. It took me eight months to make meaningful money. The first year, I made barely $15,000. Year two, eighty grand. This year, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a marathon.

Don't forget your why. On bad days—and there will be many—remember your reason. For me, it's money, being there, and showing myself that I'm stronger than I knew.

The Reality Check

Real talk, I'm not going to sugarcoat this. This journey is difficult. So damn hard. You're managing a business while being the only parent of kids who need everything.

Many days I second-guess this. Days when the hate comments affect me. Days when I'm drained and wondering if I should get a regular job with a 401k.

But then my daughter says she's happy I'm here. Or I look at my savings. Or I receive a comment from a follower saying my content gave her courage. And I know it's worth it.

What's Next

Not long ago, I was scared and struggling how to survive. Currently, I'm a professional creator making way more than I made in my old job, and I'm present for everything.

My goals going forward? Get to half a million followers by December. Start a podcast for other single moms. Possibly write a book. Continue building this business that gives me freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.

This path gave me a lifeline when I was desperate. It gave me a way to provide for my family, be present in their lives, and accomplish something incredible. It's not what I planned, but it's meant to be.

To all the single moms considering this: You can. It isn't simple. You'll consider quitting. But you're handling the hardest job—raising humans alone. You're powerful.

Jump in messy. Be consistent. Prioritize yourself. And don't forget, you're more than just surviving—you're building something incredible.

Gotta go now, I need to go create content about homework I forgot about and nobody told me until now. Because that's how it goes—content from the mess, video by video.

For real. Being a single mom creator? It's worth it. Even when there might be crumbs in my keyboard. Dream life, mess included.