Real Mom. Real Talk. Real Hustle

Meet Erica Ryan, Mom to twin girls and full-time Defense Contractor supporting the United States Navy on the new Columbia Class SSBN Submarines. Safe to say, Erica is an absolute rockstar Mom & professional!  Erica’s work is a critical mission for the safety of our nation. So, when Erica is not “Momming” hard all day, she is helping take care of the entire nation’s future. Pretty cool, if you ask me! Erica loves being a part of the Navy as she comes from a line of those that have served there as well. 

Oh & did I forget to mention, she also is a dance teacher! WHAT! Erica sees it as an amazing creative and freeing outlet.  Bonus, her daughters spend time dancing as well in their extra curricular activities. There’s nothing like getting to experience your little one enjoying the same thing you grew up so passionate about.

In a typical day you can find Erica and her family keeping busy between work, school and family time!  The girls, including Erica, take activities like dance and acrobatics. Spending time with the whole family in the evenings is an absolute must and typically looks like chaos at the dinner table alongside their dogs ready to help clean up the floor! Spending time together on the weekends is a big priority as well, especially getting outdoors with the whole crew. Erica and her family love spending time with  their neighborhood community, going for boat rides or hanging at the beach.  

Getting to know Erica through this feature has been very energizing. She truly is a powerhouse and loves to show her daughters that women & mothers can do whatever they put their mind to!  From Erica: “If having a career, being a Mom of twins 4-yr.-olds, AND teaching recreational and professional dance isn’t enough, I like to support my kid’s school activities when I can. Whether that is volunteering at school functions or being active with the faculty and staff,  I try to be as engaged as possible, because I think it’s important for my girls to see how empowered I am to support them so that they know nothing is out of reach for them.” I love this message from Erica and it’s one of my favorite things about motherhood – showing your children what they are capable of through your own actions. 

Let’s chat more with Erica:

What’s the best part about being a Mom? 

The best thing is watching your children grow. Watching them evolve from tiny little humans to precarious toddlers and then to young little girls ready to take on the day. I love watching them love each other and seeing the joy in their faces over the smallest of things, makes it worth it. It makes me slow down, even on the hardest of days, to realize that you need to take in the present.

& the worst part?

And I guess the best thing is also the hardest thing too. It’s that while I am thrilled to watch them grow, you know that  time is limited. That you won’t get back the smaller version of your yesterday humans. That they will grow and evolve, but you learn to be present and hope that you can always remember the little things along the way. 

What is your proudest moment as a Mom?

Since we are still young, it’s all about social cues at this stage. And when I watch my children be kind to others, either at parks or playgrounds, and school or dance—It’s like, Wow—maybe I am doing something right here. 

What advice would you give a new Mom?

There’s no playbook for being a Mom, at any stage. Sure if you’ve done it once it may seem familiar but no two kids are ever the same. So be kind to yourself and give your grace in the process. And most of all—be an advocate for you. You have to take care of your needs to be able to care for your human(s). 

What’s something funny or relatable that has happened to you as a Mom?

So the thing about twins/multiples is that every time you’re in public (and I mean every. time. ) (I’m sure my non-singleton Moms can relate) folks will stop you and ask “are they twins?”  I know it’s intriguing to see two girls that look the same age, wearing matching clothes but not exactly matching faces/hair…so they question whether they came as a package deal or are just really close in age. And every time I say “yes, they are twins”. Well after we leave I always joke with my girls and say “one of these times I’m going to tell someone that y’all are actually triplets but we left the ugly one home.” To see what that person says—and they always giggle. So one time we were in the grocery store and someone came up to us and asked. I smiled and politely nodded, knowing where they were going with all the questions just for them to be cut off by my one outspoken child saying that they actually were triplets, and “Mommy left one at home…”. Of course I had to reroute that conversation but I couldn’t help but crack up laughing. 

What is most important to you about sharing your Motherhood experience with the CHS (working) Moms community?

I’m here to commemorate all Moms and all stories (though I am super thrilled to share mine).  No story is better than another because we all are here trying our best in a world that oftentimes seems scary to raise children. We all have a purpose and a common bond that will help make the future just a little bit better. Cheers to all the Moms!

A Few of Erica’s Favorites in the Charleston Area:

Date Night: For date nights – Erica & her husband try new restaurants each time. They love spots that have a great happy hour and cocktail menu!

Family Restaurant: Erica’s family loves going out for brunch together. Their favorites are: Millers All Day or Baystreet Biergarten

Event: Riverdogs or Stingrays Games; Sundays at The Pour House; Listening to live music on Folly!

Spot (for you): Woodhouse or Urban Nirvana

Spot (for kiddos): Love going to Pink Polish for nails!

Top 3 Favorite IG Accounts to Follow: How does one pick? @chsworkingmoms @dancelab_843 @thingstodoincharleston @charleston_daily @trending_chs @the.bill.olson