Charleston Moms

Allison escaped the frozen tundra of Minnesota for the sunshine and beaches of Charleston a little over two years ago . She now lives with her husband, toddler, and American Bulldog on James Island and is expecting her second boy in October (she’s totally outnumbered with a house full of boys)! Balancing working from home for the business she owns with her husband and raising two boys under 2 will be Allison’s newest challenge! She loves exploring Charleston with her little family and writes about their day-to-day adventures on her blog, Happy Little Honey.

Amanda is an upstate NY girl who married a TN guy in 2011, moved to Charleston the next day, and after a 3-year pursuit, adopted their 2-year-old son from South Korea in 2017. She loves to share her heart ponderings and humor lent by beginning motherhood with her toddler who spoke another language. She has a background in non-profit work, but currently stays home to catch up on missed time and new milestones with her growing baby boy. She enjoys her awkward floppy hound, aggressively cuddly cat, but can't keep plants alive. In her "spare time," she is creating, dancing, or providing harmonies/drums for her sister's music.

Amber is a native Texan who moved to Summerville with her family in June 2015. The transition from career banker of fifteen years to a stay at home mom and moving halfway across the country where they knew no one was a challenge, but totally worth it.  Now settled, Amber has become a paint brush wielding interior decorator who loves to build new things through her business, Chandler by Design. But her most important job is to be an example to her kiddos, Lily (8) and Luke (5). Amber’s newest hobby is running and now that she has completed her first individual 5k she is headed towards a half marathon.

Amy Jackson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is the owner of Sweetgrass Counseling. Amy works with moms and moms to be to realize that while being a mom is hard, it doesn’t have to suck. She provides a safe space to talk about mom guilt, how to manage expectations of being mom, and provides practical tips that you can use when you are awake at 2:47am scrolling through social media imagining how you are going to screw up your kiddos. Amy and her husband Mike have four kids ranging from 7-18. She enjoys all things Bravo with a glass of wine while half-heartedly listening to the youngest chatter about Minecraft and Fortnight.

Ashley is originally from the Boston area and has lived here in the Lowcountry for four years. She and her husband have two little boys (ages 2 and 7 months) who keep things fun and exciting. She’s a preschool teacher turned stay-at-home mom since 2017. Most days, you can find her at a park, Chick-fil-A, the children’s museum, or at one of the many indoor play centers here in Charleston. She enjoys writing on her blog All the Mom Things, co-hosting group play dates and trying to keep up with the latest fashion trends. She has a positive outlook on life and believes that that best things in life can’t be bought.

Bayly is a native of Mt. Pleasant and after living in Asheville, NC for college and Atlanta, GA for several years after college, she returned home to Charleston in 2015. She now resides in Mt. Pleasant with her two daughters, Vivi (6), Helena (4), husband Alan and 10 pound rescue pup Charm. Bayly is the owner of Your Happy Nest Nanny & Babysitting Agency, which she founded in 2012 while living in Atlanta. Your Happy Nest now operates out of Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston and Cincinnati. In her spare time, she loves spending time at the beach, seeing live music, trying new restaurants and checking out local Charleston events. She also loves to travel and spent a year living in Taiwan and traveling around Southeast Asia before having kids.

I was born and raised in rural Ravenel, SC, just outside of Charleston.  My hardworking family owns a blueberry farm in Ravenel- this farm helped put me through rigorous nursing school at Clemson University.  I have been a registered nurse for 10 years.  I’ve worked most of my career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, but I currently am a Case Manager for maternity and NICU patients at Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC I am happily married to Andy, my handsome high school sweetheart, and together we have one beautiful daughter, who is in 2nd grade, and one rambunctious son, who is in kindergarten.  We LOVE the outdoors, especially in the SC Lowcountry, and our favorite hobbies are boating in the picturesque waters around Charleston, riding our ATVs, and camping with our friends.  I have 5 dogs, 2 of which are dachshunds, which I am obsessed with!  I love living in the Lowcountry- my roots run deep in this land, and I couldn't imagine myself living anywhere else!  

Chelsea is a Maryland native, currently enjoying her role as a stay-at-home mom. She was a hairstylist for 10 years until she moved to Charleston. Her husband, whom was one of her clients, was born in Mississippi but lived all over the USA as the son of a Navy father. Shortly after meeting, they got married and had their daughter. Three years later they moved to Charleston while she was eight months pregnant with her second child. After having their son, he was diagnosed with a kidney disorder. She also is a cult survivor. Despite all the bumps they look towards the brighter side in life. You can find her doing crafts, yoga, fashion and blogging on Mascara Pearls Spitup. As a family they enjoy the beach, fishing, swimming, dancing, walks, antiquing and food.

Dede Kennedy is part of a dying breed ... a native of Mt. Pleasant. She is happily married to her husband Sean and the mother of two gorgeous sons ages 8 and 11. When not trying to keep her boys out of harm's way, Dede works at a popular restaurant on Sullivans Island. She is a Christian and an active member of her church.  Dede can be found making corndogs and serving up Kool-Aid for the neighborhood kids who hang out at her home (the one with all the bicycles in the yard). Dede is a blogger and a two-time cast member of the national "Listen to Your Mother" show. Dede has dabbled in stand-up comedy and is writing a fiction book.

Elizabeth O’Conor lives on James Island with her husband, 2 year old daughter and baby girl. A native of South Carolina, (from Hilton Head Island) Elizabeth moved to Charleston about five years ago. She loves to travel (especially with the family) as well as stay as healthy as can be. She is currently in school for Holistic Nutrition and cannot wait to help our community with any health and nutrition needs! Her family is very natural minded family and she loves showing her daughter how to grow her own food in the garden and take care of their chickens.

Elizabeth Wagner is a 5th generation Charlestonian and a 3rd generation James Islander.  She and her husband maintained a long distance relationship throughout her nursing school and his Marine Corps deployments. They married in 2010. After working as a neurosurgical nurse for ten years, she became a stay-at-home mom of their now four kids. From her natural passion to help others and through caring for her own children, Elizabeth became interested in herbal remedies, the benefits of plant medicine, and natural ways to treat her kids illnesses. In 2016, after the birth of her third child, she started Island Bloom Herbals. She makes homemade elderberry syrup, cough syrup, and herbal teas. She and her husband are beekeepers and have three hives in their backyard.

A South Carolina native, Erica is originally from the Upstate and has moved back to Charleston with her family after a 10 year, traffic-filled hiatus in Atlanta, GA. Having lived in only two states she likes to explore different cultures through travel and food.  Of all the hats Erica wears her most important roles are as a wife, mother, daughter. She has been married to her college sweetheart for 13 years and together they have a six year old daughter and a three year old son.  She prides herself on being honest about motherhood and enjoys learning from other moms who don't sugarcoat reality. When life offers a little down time Erica enjoys wave jumping at the beach, unapologetically watching bad TV and organizing and re-organizing everything from the dishwasher to the sock drawers to help calm her inner OCD. 

Erin and her active duty Army husband have a 3-year-old, a 2-year-old, and are expecting twins in September! Erin is also the proud owner of Fit4Mom Charleston, part of the nation’s leading pre-and postnatal fitness program. A former US diplomat, Erin has lived and worked all over the world. She is a former nationally ranked 100m and 300m hurdler, a certified yoga and prenatal yoga instructor, and holds additional certifications in Barre, TRX Barre, and as an ACE group fitness trainer. On a daily basis, she aims to show her babies that women can be both soft and strong, and that one must never give up, no matter what! 

Jen Iamele Savage is a secondary Montessori educator, Transformational Empowerment coach, and newly self published author. She runs a mastermind program for busy mamas and writes regularly for local and international publications. She also leads virtual and live women’s circles to help her clients work through blocks and connect with their light and their purpose. Check out Inspiration & Bliss Coaching to find out more. 

Jenni is an Independent Travel Agent with a deep passion for the Lowcountry. In fact, she and her husband love the Charleston area SO much that, after vacationing out on Isle of Palms several times, they decided to relocate their family from Illinois to Summerville. Since moving to the Charleston area in July of 2019, Jenni started a travel blog, Our Sweet Tea Life, where she shares her love of the area. Jenni is also a homeschooling mom to three daughters. In her free time she enjoys traveling with her family, spending time at the beach, volunteering at Magnolia Plantation and strolling the beautiful streets of Charleston.

Jen Robinson is the creative force behind the wellness brand Peaceful Living Wellness which is dedicated to providing a wide-variety of high-quality wellness information. Jen is also the creator of the PLW life coaching division Empowered Through Peace and offers workshops, group coaching and retreats where she guides women in using Mindfulness and Mindset to build their inner strength on a foundation of inner peace. The most important part of Jen’s life are her two very active teenagers, AJ & Layna! Jen’s Mindfulness and Mindset techniques not only inform her parenting, but give her peace-of-mind in facing the challenges of parenting teens!

Jill grew up in the Washington, DC area and migrated south for college. She has a degree in Religious Education from Gardner-Webb University, where she also got her MRS. degree. She and her husband, Heath, have three kids: Will, Micah, and Lydia. Traveler. Homemaker(ish). TV watcher. Crafter. Natural birth advocate. Spanish speaking wannabe. Minivan driver. Organic shopper. Beach lover. Mosquito hater. Jill's resume is littered with randomness. She recently hung up her hat in the preschool world to write and speak, and greet her kids with fresh gluten free cookies and almond milk, as they joyfully skip through the door after school. (Mom of the Year!) Check out her Interrupted Life at jillforbes.com.

Jill Lederman is licensed clinical social worker (LISW) in South Carolina, meditation teacher, and freelance writer from New York City. She and her husband moved to Charleston three years ago with their cat for a better quality of life—and living it. She works as a therapist at MUSC, supporting youth and their families. She is also a certified Koru Mindfulness instructor and teaches meditation classes and workshops throughout Charleston. As a former journalist, Jill has published articles in Edible Charleston, New York Magazine, Time Out New York and various Scholastic News publications, among others. Jill is two years into mama-hood with a fiery toddler, who keeps her on her toes.

Malana Bracht is a red-headed mama out of Oklahoma. In March 2019, her family felt led out of faith to move to Charleston, leaving everyone and everything they knew behind. Settling in a new place, making mom friends and self-discovery has made for some interesting inspirations to write. Through various forms of media (blogs, podcasts, public speaking, & YouTube videos), she shares her story of gaining a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, ending the cycle of poverty in her life and learning to create a healthy family life for her children. She also creates tools to empower others to do the same! Malana also likes serving in the local church, coffee shops, and fuzzy slippers. For more information, you can visit https://linktr.ee/author.malanabracht.

Megan is originally from Michigan, and still misses the snow and cold weather of the Midwest but loves the charm and family friendliness of Charleston. She has lived in Charleston for a little over five years with her husband, Caleb, two children, Alice and Atticus, and their rescue husky, Zoey. They can usually be found downtown exploring all of its nooks and crannies or at the beach any time of year. Megan writes about her day-to-day adventures, and challenges of motherhood on her blog, The Mom in Progress.

Melissa recently resigned from her career in higher education and was promoted to her new title as Dr. Mom to two-under-two. Her quest to have a family involved a long road of infertility struggles. She has a son named Rowan who is 21 months old and a girl named Ildi who is 6 months old.

A native of New Orleans, who was raised in New Jersey, Pamela has lived in the Lowcountry for the past 15 years. She graduated with a journalism degree from Penn State, and met her husband, Daniel, while working at a newspaper in Beaufort, SC. The two left-handed parents have two adorable right-handed children — Wolfe, 5, and Selah, 4 — and one unruly black Lab, named Lefty. They live in Mount Pleasant and Pamela works from home as a freelance graphic designer, writer and editor while also taking care of aforementioned children. She loves champagne, Bluegrass music and South Park.

Rachel is a new mom and freelance writer who lives with her husband, daughter, and rescue pup in Mt. Pleasant. Rachel is passionate about eating wholesome foods, planning healthy meals, and staying active – although it is extra challenging as a mom! She writes about her journey juggling wellness and motherhood on her blog, Rachel’s Full Plate. Rachel also loves chocolate, coffee, and playing peek-a-boo with her baby girl.

Rhonda James was born and raised here in Charleston. She received her Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from Claflin University where she also met her husband, Leo. Rhonda is a first time mom to a bouncing baby boy. She works full-time as a Museum Program Coordinator and also managers her personal lifestyle blog, Walks of Motherhood. Spending time with her family is her greatest moments. She is also a sucker for Game of Thrones, Grey's Anatomy, Starbucks Tevana Tea, and french fries. 

Born in Boston, but raised in Mount Pleasant, Sydney left South Carolina to go to Lenior-Rhyne College (now University) where she met her husband and graduated with a degree in Political Science. She and her husband moved back to Mount Pleasant in 2012 and are currently living in the family house (zoo) with Audrey who is two, two dogs and two cats. Sydney loves re-familiarizing herself with the city through the eyes of a toddler, traveling, and listening to audiobooks.

The military brought Tori and her husband from the upstate of SC down to the Lowcountry back in 2013. She is a stay-at-home mom to a nine month old baby girl who steals her heart every day! She loves being married to her high school sweetheart, her two sweet Australian Shepherd pups, everything outdoors, knitting, and writing on her blog, Simple Life at Home.

A born and raised southerner, Windy moved away to pursue a career in technology returning to the Lowcountry to raise a family. She currently lives in Mount Pleasant with her husband, bonus son (9), strong-willed wild man (3), and sassy princess (2). Last July, after 15 years in the corporate world, she decided to leave the role of executive behind and become the CEO of her household. She records her daily adventures on Instagram, while exploring what it means to go from executive to SAHM on her personal blog – Windy in Carolina. You can also find her on Facebook sharing her passion, advocacy, and education for cleaner living.