🪵 I Tried Teds Woodworking as a Single Mom — Here’s What Happened

| | Estimated Read Time: 7 Minutes
Spoiler: I now have a coffee table, a birdhouse, and a whole lot more confidence. | |

Let me set the scene: Saturday morning, two kids bouncing off the walls, juice spilled somewhere, and I’m trying to figure out how to assemble a bookshelf without losing my mind or my last Phillips-head screwdriver.Hi, I’m Donna — a single mom of two amazing kids (a boy and a girl who believe I'm part superhero, part short-order cook). And like many moms, I’ve gotten really good at figuring stuff out on the fly.But woodworking? That one had me stumped.Until I met Teds Woodworking.

🧰 The Day I Became the Handy Mom

I’ll be honest: I didn’t grow up around tools. My version of “building” involved LEGO sets and hot glue.But with rising furniture costs and two growing kids needing shelves, desks, and places to put their 8 million toys, I started thinking… what if I just made it myself?
That’s when I found Teds Woodworking — a huge digital package claiming to offer over 16,000 woodworking plans for all skill levels.I was skeptical. But also tired of buying cheap stuff that breaks in 3 months. So, I took a chance.

🪑 What Even Is Teds Woodworking?

It’s basically the motherload of woodworking guides.
Created by master craftsman Ted McGrath, this bundle includes:

  • Over 16,000 woodworking plans (yes, sixteen THOUSAND)

  • Step-by-step instructions anyone can follow — even if you’ve never touched a jigsaw

  • Complete material and cutting lists to save you extra trips to the hardware store

  • Bonus training videos, woodworking guides, and even design software

It’s like having a personal woodworking coach in your pocket.

👩Building With My Kids: Unexpected Bonding Time

One of the best things? My kids love helping.We started small — a birdhouse. My daughter painted it pink and glittery. My son wanted a batcave look. I don’t know what we made exactly, but it’s proudly hanging in the backyard.Now we’ve moved on to a simple bench for the hallway. It’s become our “family project” tradition. No screens, just sawdust and silly stories.

😂 Pros, Cons & Mom-Approved Observations

✅ Pros:

  • Perfect for beginners — You don’t need to be a carpenter or own a full workshop.

  • Detailed instructions — No guessing or second-guessing.

  • Budget-friendly — A one-time cost and no need to buy pricey plans elsewhere.

  • Kid-friendly — I mean, I wouldn’t hand them a nail gun, but they love being part of it!

❌ Cons:

  • It’s a huge file — Took me a while to download and unzip.

  • So many choices — You might spend more time choosing than building (but hey, options are good!).

💡 From Hobby to Side Hustle?

Funny thing — after posting a few finished pieces online, a couple of friends asked if they could buy them.That turned into a little side income. I never expected that from a random download on a stressful Saturday.Now, I’m not saying I’ve opened a custom furniture business… but let’s just say the kids are getting handmade desks this year.

🎁 What You Get With Teds Woodworking

  • Instant access to 16,000+ plans

  • Free CAD design software

  • Bonus how-to guides on everything from starting your own shop to learning advanced joints

  • Lifetime updates and a no-questions-asked 60-day refund policy

All of it is digital, so you can start tonight after the kids are in bed.

✨ Final Thoughts: Should You Get It?

If you’re a mom like me — juggling kids, budgets, and never enough time — this might be the creative escape you didn’t know you needed.Whether you want to save money, make gifts, bond with your kids, or even sell your creations, Teds Woodworking is honestly one of the best investments I’ve made in a long time.From one mom to another: you can absolutely do this.

👉 Want to build something beautiful? Start here:(P.S. That’s my affiliate link. If you grab it through me, I might earn a small commission — and every penny helps fuel my next coffee-fueled build session!)