Busy parent part-time jobs right now : broken down aimed at parents make flexible earnings
I'm gonna be honest with you, motherhood is no joke. But here's the thing? Attempting to hustle for money while managing toddlers and their chaos.
I started my side hustle journey about three years ago when I had the epiphany that my retail therapy sessions were becoming problematic. I needed funds I didn't have to justify spending.
Virtual Assistant Hustle
Here's what happened, my first gig was jumping into virtual assistance. And I'll be real? 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.
I started with easy things like email management, managing social content, and basic admin work. Not rocket science. My rate was about $20/hour, which seemed low but when you don't know what you're doing yet, you gotta start somewhere.
Honestly the most hilarious thing? I would be on a video meeting looking all professional from the shoulders up—business casual vibes—while rocking sweatpants. Living my best life.
My Etsy Journey
Once I got comfortable, I decided to try the handmade marketplace scene. Every mom I knew seemed to sell stuff on Etsy, so I thought "why not start one too?"
I created crafting PDF planners and wall art. Here's why printables are amazing? Make it one time, and it can make money while you sleep. Literally, I've earned money at 3am while I was sleeping.
My first sale? I literally screamed. He came running thinking I'd injured myself. But no—I was just, doing a happy dance for my $4.99 sale. I'm not embarrassed.
Content Creator Life
Eventually I started creating content online. This particular side gig is a marathon not a sprint, real talk.
I started a blog about motherhood where I shared real mom life—the messy truth. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Only the actual truth about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.
Building up views was a test of patience. At the beginning, it was basically talking to myself. But I persisted, and slowly but surely, things gained momentum.
These days? I earn income through affiliate links, sponsored posts, and display ads. Recently I earned over $2,000 from my blog alone. Insane, right?
The Social Media Management Game
When I became good with running my own socials, brands started asking if I could manage their accounts.
Here's the thing? A lot of local businesses don't understand social media. They understand they have to be on it, but they're too busy.
Enter: me. I oversee social media for several small companies—a bakery, a boutique, and a fitness studio. I plan their content, queue up posts, interact with their audience, and track analytics.
My rate is between five hundred to fifteen hundred monthly per business, depending on how much work is involved. What I love? I can do most of it from my phone.
The Freelance Writing Hustle
For those who can string sentences together, freelance writing is a goldmine. I don't mean writing the next Great American Novel—I mean commercial writing.
Businesses everywhere always need writers. I've written everything from subjects I knew nothing about before Googling. You just need to research, you just need to be good at research.
On average make $0.10-0.50 per word, depending on length and complexity. Some months I'll create 10-15 articles and bring in one to two thousand extra.
Here's what's wild: I was the person who barely passed English class. And now I'm a professional writer. Life is weird.
Virtual Tutoring
2020 changed everything, everyone needed online help. I used to be a teacher, so this was an obvious choice.
I signed up with several tutoring platforms. It's super flexible, which is absolutely necessary when you have unpredictable little ones.
I mainly help with basic subjects. Rates vary from $15-$25/hour depending on the platform.
The funny thing? Occasionally my children will interrupt mid-session. I once had to educate someone's child while mine had a meltdown. My clients are totally cool about it because they understand mom life.
Reselling and Flipping
So, this hustle happened accidentally. While organizing my kids' room and put some things on Facebook Marketplace.
Stuff sold out within hours. I had an epiphany: there's a market for everything.
These days I shop at thrift stores, garage sales, and clearance sections, hunting for things that will sell. I grab something for a few dollars and make serious profit.
It's labor-intensive? Absolutely. I'm photographing items, writing descriptions, shipping packages. But it's oddly satisfying about spotting valuable items at a yard sale and earning from it.
Plus: the kids think it's neat when I find unique items. Recently I found a retro toy that my son freaked out about. Flipped it for forty-five bucks. Mom for the win.
Real Talk Time
Let me keep it real: this stuff requires effort. They're called hustles for a reason.
Some days when I'm completely drained, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm up at 5am getting stuff done while it's quiet, then all day mom-ing, then back to work after everyone's in bed.
But here's the thing? I earned this money. I'm not asking anyone to treat myself. I'm adding to the family budget. My kids are learning that you can be both.
Tips if You're Starting Out
If you want to start a hustle of your own, here's my advice:
Start small. You can't launch everything simultaneously. Choose one hustle and master it before adding more.
Honor your limits. Whatever time you have, that's totally valid. A couple of productive hours is a great beginning.
Stop comparing to the highlight reels. The successful ones you see? She probably started years ago and has support. Stay in your lane.
Don't be afraid to invest, but wisely. You don't need expensive courses. Be careful about spending thousands on courses until you've tried things out.
Batch your work. This is crucial. Use certain times for certain work. Use Monday for creation day. Wednesday could be admin and emails.
Let's Talk Mom Guilt
Let me be honest—the mom guilt is real. Certain moments when I'm on my laptop and they want to play, and I struggle with it.
However I consider that I'm showing them what dedication looks like. I'm showing my daughter that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.
And honestly? Having my own income has made me a better mom. I'm more content, which makes me a better parent.
The Numbers
How much do I earn? Most months, between all my hustles, I pull in three to five thousand monthly. Certain months are higher, the supporting source some are tougher.
Will this make you wealthy? Nope. But I've used it for so many things we needed that would've been impossible otherwise. And it's building my skills and experience that could evolve into something huge.
Wrapping This Up
Listen, hustling as a mom isn't easy. It's not a perfect balance. Most days I'm flying by the seat of my pants, surviving on coffee, and crossing my fingers.
But I don't regret it. Every single bit of income is evidence of my capability. It shows that I have identity beyond motherhood.
If you're on the fence about launching a mom business? Go for it. Start before it's perfect. You in six months will thank you.
Keep in mind: You're not just making it through—you're hustling. Despite the fact that you probably have mysterious crumbs on your keyboard.
For real. It's where it's at, chaos and all.
Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom
Let me be real with you—becoming a single mom wasn't on my vision board. Nor was turning into an influencer. But here I am, years into this crazy ride, paying bills by sharing my life online 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 2022 when my marriage ended. I will never forget sitting in my mostly empty place (he took the couch, I got the kids' art projects), scrolling mindlessly at 2am while my kids were finally quiet. I had less than a thousand dollars in my account, two humans depending on me, and a paycheck that wasn't enough. The fear was overwhelming, y'all.
I was on TikTok to distract myself from the anxiety—because that's the move? in crisis mode, right?—when I stumbled on this single mom talking about how she made six figures through being a creator. I remember thinking, "That's either a scam or she's incredibly lucky."
But desperation makes you brave. Or stupid. Usually both.
I grabbed the TikTok studio app the next morning. My first video? No filter, no makeup, pure chaos, explaining how I'd just blown my final $12 on a frozen nuggets and juice boxes for my kids' lunches. I posted it and immediately regretted it. Who gives a damn about this disaster?
Spoiler alert, a lot of people.
That video got 47K views. 47,000 people watched me get emotional over frozen nuggets. The comments section was this incredible community—people who got it, folks in the trenches, all saying "same." That was my epiphany. People didn't want perfection. They wanted authentic.
My Brand Evolution: The Unfiltered Mom Content
The truth is about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? It happened organically. I became the unfiltered single mom.
I started filming the stuff people hide. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because I couldn't handle laundry. Or when I gave them breakfast for dinner multiple nights and called it "survival mode." 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 terrible. I filmed on a phone with a broken screen. But it was authentic, and evidently, that's what worked.
Within two months, I hit 10,000 followers. Month three, 50,000. By month six, I'd crossed a hundred thousand. Each milestone felt surreal. These were real people who wanted to listen to me. Me—a financially unstable single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" recently.
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 absolutely not want to wake up, but this is my hustle hours. I make coffee that will get cold, and I start recording. Sometimes it's a getting ready video talking about single mom finances. Sometimes it's me making food while discussing parenting coordination. The lighting is whatever I can get.
7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation ends. Now I'm in survival mode—cooking eggs, the shoe hunt (seriously, always ONE), making lunch boxes, referee duties. The chaos is overwhelming.
8:30am: Getting them to school. I'm that mom creating content in traffic when stopped. Don't judge me, but bills don't care.
9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. I'm alone finally. I'm editing content, being social, brainstorming content ideas, reaching out to brands, checking analytics. Folks imagine content creation is just posting videos. Nope. It's a real job.
I usually batch content on Monday and Wednesday. That means shooting multiple videos in a few hours. I'll swap tops so it appears to be different times. Pro tip: Keep multiple tops nearby for fast swaps. My neighbors definitely think I'm crazy, talking to my camera in the backyard.
3:00pm: School pickup. Mom mode activated. But here's where it gets tricky—many times my best content ideas come from these after-school moments. A few days ago, my daughter had a full tantrum in Target because I wouldn't buy a $40 toy. I recorded in the vehicle later about managing big emotions as a solo parent. It got 2.3M views.
Evening: The evening routine. I'm completely exhausted to create anything, but I'll schedule content, check DMs, or strategize. Some nights, after the kids are asleep, I'll edit for hours because a partnership is due.
The truth? There's no balance. It's just organized chaos with occasional wins.
The Money Talk: How I Support My Family
Alright, let's discuss money because this is what you're wondering. Can you legitimately profit as a online creator? 100%. Is it simple? Absolutely not.
My first month, I made $0. Month two? $0. Month three, I got my first paid partnership—$150 to share a meal box. I literally cried. That $150 bought groceries for two weeks.
Currently, years later, here's how I monetize:
Collaborations: This is my primary income. I work with brands that make sense—budget-friendly products, single-parent resources, kid essentials. I get paid anywhere from five hundred to several thousand per deal, depending on what's required. Just last month, I did four brand deals and made eight grand.
Platform Payments: The TikTok fund pays pennies—maybe $200-400 per month for massive numbers. YouTube revenue is better. I make about $1,500 monthly from YouTube, but that took two years to build up.
Affiliate Income: I share affiliate links to items I love—ranging from my go-to coffee machine to the beds my kids use. If anyone buys, I get a kickback. This brings in about eight hundred to twelve hundred.
Downloadables: I created a money management guide and a meal planning ebook. Each costs $15, and I sell dozens per month. That's another $1,000-1,500.
Teaching Others: Aspiring influencers pay me to show them how. I offer one-on-one coaching sessions for $200 hourly. I do about 5-10 per month.
My total income: On average, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month at this point. Some months I make more, some are less. It's variable, which is nerve-wracking when you're solo. But it's triple what I made at my 9-5, and I'm home when my kids need me.
What They Don't Show Nobody Mentions
Content creation sounds glamorous until you're crying in your car because a video didn't perform, or dealing with nasty DMs from keyboard warriors.
The trolls are vicious. I've been told I'm a terrible parent, told I'm using my children, accused of lying about being a solo parent. I'll never forget, "Maybe that's why he left." That one stuck with me.
The algorithm changes constantly. Certain periods you're getting huge numbers. The next, you're struggling for views. Your income fluctuates. You're always on, always working, afraid to pause, you'll lose momentum.
The mom guilt is amplified to the extreme. Every upload, I wonder: Am I oversharing? Are my kids safe? Will they hate me for this when they're grown? I have firm rules—no faces of my kids without permission, no sharing their private stuff, nothing humiliating. But the line is hard to see.
The burnout hits hard. Certain periods when I am empty. When I'm depleted, talked out, and at my limit. But the mortgage is due. So I create anyway.
What Makes It Worth It
But here's the thing—despite everything, this journey has given me things I never dreamed of.
Economic stability for once in my life. I'm not rich, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an safety net. We took a actual vacation last summer—Orlando, which I never thought possible two years ago. I don't panic about money anymore.
Time freedom that's priceless. When my son got sick last month, I didn't have to stress about missing work or panic. I worked anywhere. When there's a school event, I'm there. I'm in their lives in ways I couldn't be with a normal job.
Connection that saved me. The fellow creators I've found, especially other moms, have become real friends. We talk, help each other, encourage each other. My followers have become this incredible cheerleading squad. They cheer for me, support me, and validate me.
Identity beyond "mom". Since becoming a mom, I have something for me. I'm not defined by divorce or only a parent. I'm a CEO. A creator. Someone who built something from nothing.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
If you're a single mom thinking about this, here's what I wish someone had told me:
Begin now. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You learn by doing, not by waiting.
Keep it real. People can smell fake from a mile away. Share your true life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That's what works.
Keep them safe. Set boundaries early. Have standards. Their privacy is the priority. I keep names private, limit face shots, and never discuss anything that could embarrass them.
Diversify income streams. Don't rely on just one platform or one way to earn. The algorithm is fickle. Diversification = security.
Create in batches. When you have quiet time, record several. Future you will appreciate it when you're unable to film.
Engage with your audience. Engage. Answer DMs. Create connections. Your community is crucial.
Track your time and ROI. Not all content is worth creating. If something is time-intensive and gets nothing while another video takes minutes and gets 200,000 views, pivot.
Prioritize yourself. You matter too. Rest. Create limits. Your sanity matters more than going viral.
Be patient. This takes time. It took me eight months to make real income. Year one, I made maybe $15,000 total. Year 2, eighty thousand. Year 3, I'm hitting six figures. It's a journey.
Don't forget your why. On tough days—and trust me, there will be—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 being honest. This journey is hard. Like, really freaking hard. You're running a whole business while being the lone caretaker of demanding little people.
Some days I wonder what I'm doing. Days when the nasty comments get to me. Days when I'm drained and questioning if I should quit this with stability.
But then suddenly my daughter mentions she's proud that I work from home. Or I check my balance and see money. Or I see a message from a follower saying my content changed her life. And I remember my purpose.
The Future
Not long ago, I was lost and broke what to do. Fast forward, I'm a professional creator making more money than I ever did in my 9-5, and I'm there for my kids.
My goals for the future? Hit 500,000 followers by December. Create a podcast for single moms. Write a book eventually. Expand this business that changed my life.
Being a creator gave me a lifeline when I was desperate. It gave me a way to support my kids, be present in their lives, and build something real. It's unexpected, but it's where I belong.
To all the single moms wondering if you can do this: You absolutely can. It isn't simple. You'll struggle. But you're already doing the most difficult thing—doing this alone. You're stronger than you think.
Start messy. Stay consistent. Prioritize yourself. And know this, you're more than just surviving—you're building something incredible.
Time to go, I need to go create content about the project I just found out about and I just learned about it. Because that's the content creator single mom life—making content from chaos, one video at a time.
No cap. This path? It's everything. Despite I'm sure there's Goldfish crackers in my keyboard. No regrets, chaos and all.