Working mom home-based businesses in 2025 — made simple aimed at parents build extra income

Let me spill, being a mom is literally insane. But you know what's even crazier? Working to get that bread while handling kids, laundry, and approximately 47 snack requests per day.

I started my side hustle journey about several years ago when I had the epiphany that my Target runs were way too frequent. I was desperate for some independent income.

Being a VA

So, I started out was doing VA work. And I'll be real? It was perfect. I was able to work during naptime, and all I needed was my laptop and decent wifi.

I began by basic stuff like email management, managing social content, and data entry. Nothing fancy. I started at about $20/hour, which felt cheap but for someone with zero experience, you gotta start somewhere.

What cracked me up? Picture this: me on a Zoom call looking like a real businesswoman from the waist up—blazer, makeup, the works—while wearing my rattiest leggings. That's the dream honestly.

My Etsy Journey

After a year, I thought I'd test out the handmade marketplace scene. All my mom friends seemed to have an Etsy shop, so I thought "why not start one too?"

I began creating downloadable organizers and home decor prints. Here's why printables are amazing? Design it once, and it can sell forever. Actually, I've earned money at ungodly hours.

That initial sale? I freaked out completely. My partner was like the house was on fire. But no—I was just, doing a happy dance for my five dollar sale. Judge me if you want.

The Content Creation Grind

After that I ventured into blogging and content creation. This one is definitely a slow burn, trust me on this.

I created a parenting blog where I documented what motherhood actually looks like—the good, the bad, and the ugly. None of that Pinterest-perfect life. Just honest stories about the time my kid decorated the walls with Nutella.

Growing an audience was a test of patience. Initially, I was basically talking to myself. But I kept at it, and over time, things gained momentum.

Now? I earn income through affiliate marketing, brand partnerships, and ad revenue. Recently I made over two grand from my website. Insane, right?

SMM Side Hustle

As I mastered social media for my own stuff, other businesses started inquiring if I could help them.

Here's the thing? Most small businesses struggle with social media. They know they have to be on it, but they're too busy.

I swoop in. I currently run social media for a handful of clients—different types of businesses. I make posts, queue up posts, interact with their audience, and check their stats.

I charge between $500-$1500/month per client, depending on what they need. The best thing? I manage everything from my phone.

The Freelance Writing Hustle

For the wordy folks, freelance writing is where it's at. I'm not talking literary fiction—this is business content.

Businesses everywhere need content constantly. My assignments have included everything from dental hygiene to copyright. You don't need to be an expert, you just need to be good at research.

Usually charge $50-150 per article, depending on length and complexity. On good months I'll create a dozen articles and earn $1-2K.

What's hilarious: Back in school I struggled with essays. Now I'm a professional writer. Talk about character development.

Virtual Tutoring

After lockdown started, everyone needed online help. I was a teacher before kids, so this was kind of a natural fit.

I registered on a couple of online tutoring sites. It's super flexible, which is non-negotiable when you have kids with unpredictable schedules.

I focus on basic subjects. Rates vary from fifteen to twenty-five hourly depending on which site you use.

The funny thing? Sometimes my children will photobomb my lessons mid-session. I've had to be professional while chaos erupted behind me. The families I work with are totally cool about it because they're living the same life.

Reselling and Flipping

Here me out, this particular venture happened accidentally. I was decluttering my kids' closet and listed some clothes on copyright.

Things sold instantly. I suddenly understood: you can sell literally anything.

These days I visit anywhere with deals, on the hunt for good brands. I grab something for three bucks and flip it for thirty.

Is it a lot of work? Yes. You're constantly listing and shipping. But I find it rewarding about discovering a diamond in the rough at the thrift store and earning from it.

Bonus: my children are fascinated when I discover weird treasures. Just last week I discovered a collectible item that my son lost his mind over. Sold it for $45. Score one for mom.

Real Talk Time

Here's the thing nobody tells you: side hustles take work. It's called hustling because you're hustling.

There are days when I'm running on empty, asking myself what I'm doing. I'm working before sunrise being productive before the madness begins, then being a full-time parent, then working again after bedtime.

But you know what? I earned this money. I don't have to ask permission to treat myself. I'm adding to our household income. My kids are learning that you can have it all—sort of.

Advice for New Mom Hustlers

For those contemplating a hustle of your own, here's my advice:

Begin with something manageable. Don't try to juggle ten things. Start with one venture and get good at it before starting something else.

Be realistic about time. If naptime is your only free time, that's fine. A couple of productive hours is a great beginning.

Avoid comparing yourself to other moms. The successful ones you see? She's been grinding forever and has support. Run your own race.

Spend money on education, but wisely. There are tons of free resources. Don't spend huge money on programs until you've validated your idea.

Batch your work. This is crucial. Set aside specific days for specific tasks. Use Monday for writing day. Use Wednesday for administrative work.

The Mom Guilt is Real

I have to be real with you—guilt is part of this. Sometimes when I'm working and my kid wants attention, and I hate it.

But then I consider that I'm showing them what dedication looks like. I'm teaching my kids that women can be mothers and entrepreneurs.

Plus? Having my own income has improved my mental health. I'm more satisfied, which makes me more patient.

Let's Talk Money

My actual income? Generally, between all my hustles, I bring in between three and five grand. Some months are lower, some are slower.

Is this millionaire money? Nope. But this money covers family trips and unexpected expenses that would've caused financial strain. Plus it's creating opportunities and skills that could become a full-time thing.

In Conclusion

Look, doing this mom hustle thing isn't easy. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach. A lot of days I'm improvising everything, powered by caffeine, and doing my best.

But I don't regret it. Every single penny made is a testament to my hustle. It shows that I'm not just someone's mother.

For anyone contemplating starting a side hustle? Go for it. Begin before you're ready. You in six months will be grateful.

Keep in mind: You're not just making it through—you're creating something amazing. Even though there's probably snack crumbs stuck to your laptop.

Not even kidding. This is where it's at, mess included.

Surviving to Thriving: My Journey as a Single Mom

Here's the truth—being a single parent wasn't the dream. Neither was making money from my phone. But yet here I am, three years into this wild journey, making a living by sharing my life online while doing this mom thing solo. And real talk? It's been scary AF but incredible of my life.

The Beginning: When Everything Came Crashing Down

It was three years ago when my life exploded. I remember sitting in my mostly empty place (he got the furniture, I got the memories), unable to sleep at 2am while my kids were passed out. I had barely $850 in my checking account, two mouths to feed, and a income that didn't cut it. The panic was real, y'all.

I'd been scrolling TikTok to numb the pain—because that's self-care at 2am, right? when we're drowning, right?—when I came across this woman 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 being broke makes you bold. Or stupid. Probably both.

I installed the TikTok creator app the next morning. My first video? Me, no makeup, messy bun, venting about how I'd just put my last twelve dollars on a cheap food for my kids' school lunches. I shared it and felt sick. Why would anyone care about my mess?

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 turned into this incredible community—other single moms, others barely surviving, all saying "I feel this." That was my turning point. People didn't want filtered content. They wanted honest.

Building My Platform: The Unfiltered Mom Content

Here's what nobody tells you about content creation: you need a niche. And my niche? I stumbled into it. I became the single mom who keeps it brutally honest.

I started creating content about the stuff everyone keeps private. Like how I once wore the same yoga pants for four days straight because executive dysfunction is real. Or when I gave them breakfast for dinner three nights in a row and called it "cereal week." Or that moment when my six-year-old asked about the divorce, 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 busted phone. But it was real, and turns out, that's what connected.

After sixty days, I hit ten thousand followers. Month three, 50K. By six months, I'd crossed 100K. Each milestone seemed fake. People who wanted to hear what I had to say. Me—a struggling single mom who had to Google "what is a content creator" six months earlier.

A Day in the Life: Managing It All

Here's what it actually looks like of my typical day, because this life is totally different from those curated "day in the life" videos you see.

5:30am: My alarm goes off. I do want to throw my phone, but this is my sacred content creation time. I make coffee that I'll forget about, and I get to work. Sometimes it's a get-ready-with-me sharing about money struggles. Sometimes it's me meal prepping while venting about dealing with my ex. The lighting is natural and terrible.

7:00am: Kids are awake. Content creation stops. Now I'm in survival mode—feeding humans, locating lost items (it's always one shoe), prepping food, breaking up sibling fights. The chaos is next level.

8:30am: Drop off time. I'm that mom creating content in traffic in the car. Not proud of this, but bills don't care.

9:00am-2:00pm: This is my productive time. Peace and quiet. I'm in editing mode, responding to comments, planning content, reaching out to brands, reviewing performance. They believe content creation is only filming. Absolutely not. It's a real job.

I usually batch-create content on Mondays and Wednesdays. That means making a dozen videos in one sitting. I'll change clothes so it seems like separate days. Hot tip: Keep different outfits accessible for easy transitions. My neighbors must think I'm insane, making videos in public in the driveway.

3:00pm: Getting the kids. Back to parenting. But here's where it gets tricky—sometimes my top performing content come from the chaos. Last week, my daughter had a epic meltdown in Target because I refused to get a $40 toy. I recorded in the Target parking lot later about surviving tantrums as a solo parent. It got millions of views.

Evening: Dinner through bedtime. I'm completely exhausted to create anything, but I'll schedule content, reply to messages, or plan tomorrow's content. Many nights, after they're down, I'll work late because a client needs content.

The truth? Balance doesn't exist. It's just controlled chaos with random wins.

Let's Talk Income: How I Really Earn Money

Alright, let's get into the finances because this is what everyone wants to know. Can you legitimately profit as a content creator? 100%. Is it easy? Nope.

My first month, I made zilch. Month two? Zero. Third month, I got my first sponsored post—$150 to feature a meal box. I cried real tears. That one-fifty bought groceries for two weeks.

Today, three years in, here's how I generate revenue:

Brand Deals: This is my largest income stream. I work with brands that align with my audience—things that help, single-parent resources, family items. I bill anywhere from $500 to $5,000 per campaign, depending on what's required. This past month, I did 4 sponsored posts and made $8,000.

Creator Fund/Ad Revenue: Creator fund pays basically nothing—maybe $200-400 per month for tons of views. YouTube ad revenue is more lucrative. I make about $1.5K monthly from YouTube, but that was a long process.

Affiliate Links: I share affiliate links to products I actually use—ranging from my beloved coffee maker to the bunk beds in their room. If anyone buys, I get a commission. This brings in about $800-$1200/month.

Downloadables: I created a money management guide and a food prep planner. They sell for fifteen dollars, and I sell dozens per month. That's another $1-1.5K.

Teaching Others: Other aspiring creators pay me to mentor them. I offer consulting calls for $200/hour. I do about 5-10 a month.

Overall monthly earnings: Most months, I'm making ten to fifteen thousand per month now. Some months are higher, some are tougher. It's up and down, which is scary when you're it. But it's triple what I made at my previous job, and I'm available for my kids.

The Hard Parts Nobody Posts About

From the outside it's great until you're crying in your car because a video didn't perform, or dealing with cruel messages from random people.

The hate comments are real. I've been accused of being a bad mother, told I'm a bad influence, called a liar about being a divorced parent. A commenter wrote, "No wonder he left." That one destroyed me.

The algorithm changes constantly. Certain periods you're getting huge numbers. The next, you're struggling for views. Your income goes up and down. You're always on, 24/7, scared to stop, you'll fall behind.

The mom guilt is amplified beyond normal. Every video I post, I wonder: Is this too much? Am I doing right by them? Will they hate me for this when they're teenagers? I have strict rules—limited face shots, nothing too personal, protecting their dignity. But the line is blurry sometimes.

The burnout hits hard. 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 show up anyway.

What Makes It Worth It

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

Money security for once in my life. I'm not rich, but I paid off $18,000 in debt. I have an cushion. We took a family trip last summer—Disney, which felt impossible not long ago. I don't stress about my account anymore.

Control that's priceless. When my boy was sick last month, I didn't have to ask permission or worry about money. I worked from the doctor's office. When there's a class party, I attend. I'm available in ways I couldn't be with a traditional a good example 9-5.

Connection that saved me. The fellow creators I've befriended, especially single moms, have become true friends. We connect, help each other, lift each other up. My followers have become this beautiful community. They celebrate my wins, support me, and show me I'm not alone.

Me beyond motherhood. Since becoming a mom, I have something for me. I'm not defined by divorce or somebody's mother. I'm a entrepreneur. A creator. Someone who built something from nothing.

Advice for Aspiring Creators

If you're a single mother wanting to start, listen up:

Start before you're ready. Your first videos will suck. Mine did. Everyone starts there. You learn by doing, not by procrastinating.

Be authentic, not perfect. People can spot fake. Share your honest life—the messy, imperfect, chaotic reality. That's what connects.

Keep them safe. Create rules. Decide what you will and won't share. Their privacy is sacred. I protect their names, protect their faces, and respect their dignity.

Build multiple income streams. Spread it out or one revenue source. The algorithm is fickle. More streams = less stress.

Film multiple videos. When you have quiet time, film multiple videos. Future you will thank present you when you're burnt out.

Build community. Engage. Respond to DMs. Create connections. Your community is what matters.

Track your time and ROI. Not all content is worth creating. If something takes four hours and gets nothing while something else takes very little time and goes viral, adjust your strategy.

Prioritize yourself. Self-care isn't selfish. Unplug. Guard your energy. Your mental health matters more than going viral.

Give it time. This takes time. It took me ages to make decent money. My first year, I made fifteen thousand. Year 2, eighty thousand. This year, I'm projected for $100K+. It's a journey.

Remember why you started. On tough days—and trust me, there will be—remember your reason. For me, it's money, time with my children, and demonstrating that I'm more than I believed.

Real Talk Time

Look, I'm keeping it 100. This life is difficult. Incredibly hard. You're running a whole business while being the single caregiver of kids who need everything.

Some days I question everything. Days when the nasty comments sting. Days when I'm exhausted and stressed and wondering if I should go back to corporate with benefits and a steady paycheck.

But then suddenly my daughter shares she's proud that I work from home. Or I see my bank account actually has money in it. Or I get a DM from a follower saying my content inspired her. And I know it's worth it.

The Future

Years ago, I was scared and struggling how to make it work. Today, I'm a full-time creator making way more than I made in my 9-5, and I'm there for my kids.

My goals for the future? Hit 500K by end of year. Launch a podcast for other single moms. Write a book eventually. Continue building this business that supports my family.

Content creation gave me a lifeline when I needed it most. It gave me a way to support my kids, be there, and accomplish something incredible. It's not the path I expected, but it's meant to be.

To any single parent on the fence: You can. It won't be easy. You'll consider quitting. But you're already doing the toughest gig—doing this alone. You're more capable than you know.

Begin messy. Stay consistent. Prioritize yourself. And know this, you're beyond survival mode—you're building something incredible.

BRB, I need to go create content about why my kid's school project is due tomorrow and nobody told me until now. Because that's this life—turning chaos into content, one post at a time.

Honestly. This journey? It's everything. Despite there's definitely old snacks all over my desk. Living the dream, imperfectly perfect.