In 2023, there were 9.8 million single-parent families in the United States, 75% headed by mothers. There are cases when the father helps with earnings and household chores, but they are rare. In the best case, a single mother is supported by relatives, but more often than not, she is left alone with problems. And, as often happens, mothers have to be torn between work, household chores, and raising a child. This creates enormous stress and limits opportunities for the full development of both their personal life and career.

But why not think about freelance work? This is a real chance for financial independence and time management flexibility. This area gives unlimited freedom in choosing projects you like and the opportunity to work with different clients worldwide without being tied to one place. Moreover, freelancing opens the door to self-realization in various areas – from design to programming, from writing texts to any other activity you like.

Financial Difficulties of Single Moms

Most single moms never imagined themselves in this role. But in reality, everything is much more complicated than in the imagination. And it seems that in single motherhood, everything comes down to money. Although it is a renewable resource, and in case of an unforeseen situation, you can always take loans for single moms, the fear of poverty is the biggest. And here are the main problems:

• Lack of a stable income. Usually, a single mother receives only one salary, and it is not always enough to cover all expenses. With the constant rise in housing, food, and medical services prices, balancing the budget is becoming increasingly difficult.
• Difficulties with additional income. When the whole day is devoted to childcare, household chores, and work, there is neither time nor energy to look for a second source of income. Many mothers complain that they do not have time for advanced training or additional courses for career growth.
• Problems with savings. Almost 60% of single mothers do not have savings for unforeseen expenses, making their financial situation even more unstable.

But although the fear of being left without money is very strong, it is also the most “curable.” Budget planning, understanding why you are doing all this, and freelance jobs for moms help.

What is Freelancing, and Why is it Suitable for Single Mothers?

Freelancing is a kind of self-employment without being connected with one particular employer. A freelancer offers his skills and works for many clients on various projects. It could be anything from graphic design, programming, writing, and even social media management.

Benefits:

• Flexibility of schedule. You decide when and where to work, which allows you to combine work with motherhood better.
• Ability to choose projects. You can choose projects that interest you and work with clients you feel comfortable with.
• Control over income. Your income directly depends on the number and quality of completed projects, which stimulates development and professional development.

Challenges:

• Unstable income. Your income may fluctuate from month to month, which requires careful planning of a single mother’s budget.
• Lack of social guarantees. Freelancers independently provide themselves with health insurance and pension savings.
• Finding clients. You must spend time and resources searching for new projects and clients.

It is also worth noting that leaving your main job for this is unnecessary. If you have sufficient time and energy, freelancing is a great option for earning extra money. You can always find part-time jobs in your free time, such as online consulting, writing texts, or finishing small projects.

What Type of Freelancing Is Best for Single Moms?

The following professions do not require constant presence at the workplace. A few hours a day will be enough:

1. Copywriting

Suitable for those who can clearly express their thoughts. But these are not the main skills. Most customers require selling texts: for example, a description of a product in an online store, a description of a service, a text about a company, or an informational article for a blog. You must clearly understand the text’s purpose, where it will go, and what benefit it will bring the reader. 

Salary: $40,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on experience and specialization.

2. Administration of Social Network Accounts

Nowadays, every second person understands how to manage communities and personal pages on social networks. Not much work is involved—often only a few hours a day. The administrator usually communicates with subscribers, monitors and filters comments, and writes content: short texts with photos, polls, and funny pictures. 

Salary: Around $50,000 per year, potentially up to $70,000 for experienced professionals.

3. Design, Graphics

If you are friends with Photoshop and graphic editors, monetize this skill. You can draw logos for companies. Design covers for communities in social networks and creates funny, original pictures – there is a demand for these jobs and quite a lot. 

Salary: $45,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on experience and type of work.

First Steps in the World of Freelancing

If you try freelancing yourself, it is worth choosing a niche. It is like choosing a quest in a game: you must understand in which direction you should move and what you want to achieve. Think about your skills and interests – this will help you find what you need to become a pro.

The next step is to stand out from the competition. Create a profile on social media and freelancing platforms (Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn). Share your approach to work, thoughts, and ideas. This will help potential clients see you and understand why they should choose you.

Another important task is creating a portfolio. Clients will see your business card and, based on the portfolio, decide whether to work with you. Therefore, you need to approach its creation responsibly.

Take on small projects at the start to build your portfolio and reputation. Over time, as you gain experience and confidence, you can raise your stakes and take on larger projects. Also, as a single mom, it’s important to set achievable goals and not overwhelm yourself. Start with projects that fit comfortably into your schedule and allow you to balance work and family.

How Freelance Gives Financial Freedom to Single Moms?

Freelancing can be a realistic way for single moms to improve their finances. First, it offers the potential to earn more. For example, a beginner copywriter might earn $20 per article, but over time, by developing skills and gaining positive reviews, this amount can increase to $100 or more. Your income depends on you: the more experience and quality you bring, the higher your earnings. In addition, freelancing can replace the need for financing for single mothers through loans. 

Second, working from home helps reduce expenses. You don’t need to spend money on transportation or pay for daycare if you can work while staying with your children. For instance, savings on daycare and commuting can amount to hundreds of dollars per month — money that can be redirected to other family needs.

Finally, freelancing provides an opportunity to build a stable income. Many clients prefer to work with trusted professionals on a long-term basis. Securing a couple of such contracts can ensure a steady flow of projects, eliminating worries about financial stability.

Is It Possible For A Single Mom To Succeed In Freelancing?

Single mothers need to plan their working hours wisely to earn decent money as a freelancer. To do this, you should set a period during which you will work. This will help you use your time effectively and avoid overload. Applications like Trello and Google Calendar will help you organize tasks and projects.

To be productive, you need to organize your workspace properly. It is important that this place is comfortable and you can focus on work. In addition, the environment should be calm and quiet.

Also, for a successful start in freelancing, it is important to learn and develop constantly. Online courses on the Coursera and Udemy platforms will help with this. Here, you can find courses from leading universities and experts, allowing you to receive a quality education conveniently. YouTube has many free video tutorials and master classes on various topics, from programming to design.

Using these tools and resources correctly will allow you to start and develop a career successfully, making freelancing a reliable source of income.

Freelancing isn’t just a job for single moms—it’s a lifeline to financial independence and self-realization. With the right skills, tools, and determination, you can transform challenges into opportunities, create a work-life balance that suits your family, and build a future where you thrive as a professional and a parent.