Busy parent part-time jobs right now – broken down for mothers seeking flexibility create financial freedom

I'm gonna be honest with you, being a mom is literally insane. But plot twist? Trying to get that bread while handling children who have boundless energy while I'm running on fumes.

My hustle life began about three years ago when I had the epiphany that my impulse buys were way too frequent. I had to find some independent income.

Being a VA

Okay so, I started out was jumping into virtual assistance. And honestly? It was exactly what I needed. It let me grind during those precious quiet hours, and literally all it took was my laptop and decent wifi.

Initially I was doing easy things like organizing inboxes, scheduling social media posts, and entering data. Pretty straightforward. I charged about $15-20 per hour, which wasn't much but as a total beginner, you gotta build up your portfolio.

Here's what was wild? Picture this: me on a Zoom call looking completely put together from the shoulders up—blazer, makeup, the works—while rocking pants I'd owned since 2015. That's the dream honestly.

Selling on Etsy

Once I got comfortable, I wanted to explore the whole Etsy thing. Literally everyone seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I thought "why not start one too?"

I started creating printable planners and home decor prints. Here's why printables are amazing? One and done creation, and it can make money while you sleep. For real, I've earned money at 3am while I was sleeping.

That initial sale? I actually yelled. My partner was like the house was on fire. Not even close—just me, cheering about my first five bucks. Judge me if you want.

Blogging and Creating

Eventually I ventured into writing and making content. This particular side gig is not for instant gratification seekers, real talk.

I launched a family lifestyle blog where I documented real mom life—the messy truth. Not the highlight reel. Only real talk about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.

Building traffic was like watching paint dry. For months, I was essentially creating content for crickets. But I stayed consistent, and eventually, things took off.

These days? I earn income through affiliate marketing, collaborations, and ad revenue. This past month I generated over two grand from my blog income. Crazy, right?

SMM Side Hustle

When I became good with managing my blog's social media, brands started asking if I could run their social media.

Truth bomb? Many companies suck at social media. They understand they have to be on it, but they're too busy.

Enter: me. I oversee social media for three local businesses—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I make posts, plan their posting schedule, engage with followers, and monitor performance.

My rate is between $500-1500 per month per account, depending on the complexity. The best thing? I can do most of it from my phone during soccer practice.

The Freelance Writing Hustle

For the wordy folks, writing gigs is incredibly lucrative. Not like writing the next Great American Novel—I'm talking about business content.

Companies constantly need fresh content. I've written articles about everything from dental hygiene to copyright. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to be able to learn quickly.

I typically make $50-150 per article, depending on how complex it is. Certain months I'll crank out a dozen articles and bring in a couple thousand dollars.

What's hilarious: I'm the same person who thought writing was torture. And now I'm making money from copyright. Life's funny like that.

The Online Tutoring Thing

After lockdown started, virtual tutoring became huge. As a former educator, so this was right up my alley.

I signed up with a couple of online tutoring sites. It's super flexible, which is crucial when you have unpredictable little ones.

I mostly tutor elementary reading and math. You can make from $15-25 per hour depending on where you work.

The awkward part? Occasionally my kids will crash my tutoring session mid-session. I've had to be professional while chaos erupted behind me. My clients are usually super understanding because they get it.

Reselling and Flipping

Here me out, this particular venture started by accident. I was cleaning out my kids' things and posted some items on Facebook Marketplace.

Things sold immediately. I suddenly understood: there's a market for everything.

Now I visit estate sales and thrift shops, searching for things that will sell. I'll buy something for cheap and resell at a markup.

This takes effort? Not check here gonna lie. There's photographing, listing, and shipping. But there's something satisfying about finding hidden treasures at the thrift store and making profit.

Plus: my kids think I'm cool when I find unique items. Last week I found a retro toy that my son absolutely loved. Sold it for $45. Score one for mom.

The Honest Reality

Here's the thing nobody tells you: this stuff requires effort. They're called hustles for a reason.

Certain days when I'm surviving on caffeine and spite, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm up at 5am hustling before the chaos starts, then handling mom duties, then back to work after bedtime.

But here's what matters? This income is mine. I don't have to ask permission to splurge on something nice. I'm adding to my family's finances. I'm showing my kids that you can have it all—sort of.

What I Wish I Knew

If you're considering a hustle of your own, here's what I'd tell you:

Begin with something manageable. Don't attempt to launch everything simultaneously. Pick one thing and master it before expanding.

Work with your schedule. Your available hours, that's totally valid. Whatever time you can dedicate is valuable.

Stop comparing to other moms. Those people with massive success? She probably started years ago and has resources you don't see. Focus on your own journey.

Spend money on education, but strategically. Start with free stuff first. Don't waste massive amounts on training until you've tried things out.

Work in batches. This saved my sanity. Use certain times for certain work. Monday could be creation day. Use Wednesday for admin and emails.

Let's Talk Mom Guilt

Real talk—I struggle with guilt. There are days when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I struggle with it.

But then I remember that I'm showing them that hard work matters. I'm showing my daughter that moms can have businesses.

And honestly? Earning independently has made me a better mom. I'm more fulfilled, which makes me a better parent.

Income Reality Check

The real numbers? On average, from all my side gigs, I pull in $3K-5K. Certain months are higher, some are tougher.

Will this make you wealthy? Not really. But we've used it to pay for family trips and unexpected expenses that would've been really hard. Plus it's developing my career and expertise that could grow into more.

In Conclusion

Look, hustling as a mom isn't easy. There's no magic formula. A lot of days I'm improvising everything, fueled by espresso and stubbornness, and hoping for the best.

But I'm proud of this journey. Every bit of income is a testament to my hustle. It's proof that I have identity beyond motherhood.

If you're thinking about diving into this? Start now. Don't wait for perfect. You in six months will be grateful.

Keep in mind: You aren't only surviving—you're hustling. Even if there's probably snack crumbs on your keyboard.

Not even kidding. This is where it's at, chaos and all.

My Content Creator Journey: My Journey as a Single Mom

Here's the truth—becoming a single mom was never the plan. I never expected to be making money from my phone. But yet here I am, years into this crazy ride, earning income by being vulnerable on the internet while doing this mom thing solo. And honestly? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.

How It Started: When Everything Changed

It was three years ago when my marriage ended. I can still picture sitting in my new apartment (he took what he wanted, I kept what mattered), staring at my phone at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had less than a thousand dollars in my checking account, two kids to support, and a salary that was a joke. The panic was real, y'all.

I'd been scrolling TikTok to numb the pain—because that's the move? when our lives are falling apart, right?—when I came across this woman sharing how she paid off $30,000 in debt through posting online. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."

But rock bottom gives you courage. Or both. Sometimes both.

I downloaded the TikTok app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, talking about how I'd just spent my last $12 on a dinosaur nuggets and snacks for my kids' lunch boxes. I uploaded it and wanted to delete it. Why would anyone care about this disaster?

Plot twist, thousands of people.

That video got nearly 50,000 views. Nearly fifty thousand people watched me almost lose it over frozen nuggets. The comments section became this incredible community—women in similar situations, people living the same reality, all saying "I feel this." That was my epiphany. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted honest.

My Brand Evolution: The Real Mom Life Brand

The truth is about content creation: niche is crucial. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the unfiltered single mom.

I started posting about the stuff no one shows. Like how I lived in one outfit because executive dysfunction is real. Or the time I fed my kids cereal for dinner all week and called it "creative meal planning." Or that moment when my child asked about the divorce, and I had to talk about complex things to a kid who is six years old.

My content wasn't pretty. My lighting was terrible. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was honest, and evidently, that's what resonated.

Within two months, I hit 10K. Month three, fifty thousand. By half a year, I'd crossed 100,000. Each milestone felt impossible. People who wanted to hear what I had to say. Plain old me—a struggling single mom who had to ask Google what this meant not long ago.

A Day in the Life: Content Creation Meets Real Life

Let me show you of my typical day, because content creation as a single mom is the opposite of those pretty "day in the life" videos you see.

5:30am: My alarm screams. I do NOT want to get up, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me talking about financial reality. Sometimes it's me making food while talking about co-parenting struggles. The lighting is whatever I can get.

7:00am: Kids wake up. Content creation goes on hold. Now I'm in parent mode—making breakfast, hunting for that one shoe (why is it always one shoe), packing lunches, referee duties. The chaos is overwhelming.

8:30am: Carpool line. I'm that mom creating content in traffic at red lights. Not proud of this, but the grind never stops.

9:00am-2:00pm: This is my hustle time. Kids are at school. I'm in editing mode, engaging with followers, ideating, pitching brands, reviewing performance. Folks imagine content creation is just posting videos. Wrong. It's a real job.

I usually create multiple videos on specific days. That means making a dozen videos in one session. I'll swap tops so it appears to be different times. Hot tip: Keep several shirts ready for quick changes. My neighbors must think I'm insane, talking to my camera in the backyard.

3:00pm: School pickup. Mom mode activated. But here's where it gets tricky—many times my top performing content come from this time. A few days ago, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I refused to get a forty dollar toy. I created a video in the car once we left about managing big emotions as a lone parent. It got 2.3M views.

Evening: Dinner, homework, bath time, bedtime routines. I'm completely exhausted to create content, but I'll plan posts, answer messages, or strategize. Certain nights, after they're down, I'll stay up editing because a partnership is due.

The truth? Balance is a myth. It's just controlled chaos with moments of success.

The Financial Reality: How I Support My Family

Alright, let's talk dollars because this is what you're wondering. Can you really earn income as a influencer? 100%. Is it easy? Not even close.

My first month, I made $0. Month two? Still nothing. Third month, I got my first paid partnership—$150 to feature a food subscription. I actually cried. That $150 bought groceries for two weeks.

Now, three years in, here's how I earn income:

Sponsored Content: This is my primary income. I work with brands that align with my audience—budget-friendly products, mom products, children's products. I ask for anywhere from five hundred to five thousand dollars per partnership, depending on the scope. This past month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made eight thousand dollars.

Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: TikTok's creator fund pays very little—$200-$400 per month for huge view counts. YouTube money is actually decent. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that required years.

Link Sharing: I post links to stuff I really use—anything from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds in their room. If anyone buys, I get a percentage. This brings in about $800-1,200 monthly.

Info Products: I created a financial planner and a meal planning ebook. They're $15 each, and I sell fifty to a hundred per month. That's another thousand to fifteen hundred.

Coaching/Consulting: Aspiring influencers pay me to guide them. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for $200/hour. I do about five to ten per month.

Overall monthly earnings: Typically, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month these days. Some months are higher, others are slower. It's variable, which is stressful when you're it. But it's 3x what I made at my old job, and I'm home when my kids need me.

The Hard Parts Nobody Shows You

Content creation sounds glamorous until you're crying in your car because a video flopped, or managing cruel messages from strangers who think they know your life.

The hate comments are real. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm exploiting my kids, told I'm fake about being a divorced parent. A commenter wrote, "No wonder he left." That one stung for days.

The algorithm shifts. Certain periods you're getting viral hits. Next month, you're struggling for views. Your income fluctuates. You're always on, never resting, afraid to pause, you'll fall behind.

The guilt is crushing times a thousand. Every video I post, I wonder: Am I oversharing? Are my kids safe? Will they hate me for this when they're teenagers? I have non-negotiables—limited face shots, keeping their stories private, nothing that could embarrass them. But the line is not always clear.

The burnout hits hard. Certain periods when I can't create. When I'm done, socially drained, and at my limit. But rent doesn't care. So I create anyway.

The Beautiful Parts

But here's what's real—even with the struggles, this journey has blessed me with things I never dreamed of.

Economic stability for the first time in my life. I'm not wealthy, but I eliminated my debt. I have an emergency fund. We took a family trip last summer—the Mouse House, which seemed impossible a couple years back. I don't check my bank account with anxiety anymore.

Time freedom that's priceless. When my kid was ill last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or worry about money. I worked from the pediatrician's waiting room. When there's a school thing, I'm present. I'm in their lives in ways I wasn't with a normal job.

Support that saved me. The fellow creators I've found, especially single moms, have become my people. We talk, help each other, have each other's backs. My followers have become this beautiful community. They celebrate my wins, lift me up, and show me I'm not alone.

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 entrepreneur. A content creator. Someone who made it happen.

Tips for Single Moms Wanting to Start

If you're a single mother considering content creation, listen up:

Begin now. Your first videos will be trash. Mine did. That's normal. You grow through creating, not by procrastinating.

Keep it real. People can spot fake. Share your real life—the mess. That's what connects.

Prioritize their privacy. Establish boundaries. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is everything. I don't use their names, limit face shots, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.

Don't rely on one thing. Diversify or one way to earn. The algorithm is unpredictable. Diversification = security.

Film multiple videos. When you have free time, make a bunch. Tomorrow you will thank yourself when you're drained.

Build community. Engage. Respond to DMs. Create connections. Your community is crucial.

Analyze performance. Some content isn't worth it. If something takes forever and gets nothing while another video takes minutes and blows up, adjust your strategy.

Take care of yourself. You need to fill your cup. Take breaks. Guard your energy. Your wellbeing matters more than going viral.

Be patient. This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. It took me months to make real income. Year one, I made fifteen thousand. Year 2, eighty thousand. This year, I'm making six figures. It's a marathon.

Know your why. On difficult days—and there will be many—remember why you're doing this. For me, it's money, being present, and showing myself that I'm stronger than I knew.

Being Real With You

Here's the deal, I'm being honest. Being a single mom creator is hard. Incredibly hard. You're basically running a business while being the lone caretaker of children who require constant attention.

Certain days I second-guess this. Days when the negativity affect me. Days when I'm drained and questioning if I should get a regular job with benefits and a steady paycheck.

But then my daughter mentions she loves that I'm home. Or I look at my savings. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I understand the impact.

Where I'm Going From Here

Years ago, I was lost and broke how to make it work. Fast forward, I'm a full-time content creator making triple what I earned in corporate America, and I'm available when they need me.

My goals now? Get to half a million followers by year-end. Begin podcasting for single parents. Write a book eventually. Keep building this business that supports my family.

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 accomplish something incredible. It's not the path I expected, but it's perfect.

To all the single moms on the fence: You can. It won't be easy. You'll struggle. But you're handling the hardest job—single parenting. You're more capable than you know.

Begin messy. Be consistent. Guard your peace. And always remember, you're not just surviving—you're building an empire.

BRB, I need to go film a TikTok about homework I forgot about and I'm just now hearing about it. Because that's the content creator single mom life—making content from chaos, one TikTok at a time.

For real. This journey? It's everything. Even if I'm sure there's Goldfish crackers in my keyboard. Dream life, chaos and all.