Dana Wattigney
Moving from Nebraska in middle school, Dana considers herself a New Orleanian 25 years later. She now lives in Belle Chasse with her husband Ryan, 12-year-old Mila, and 8-year-old Rex. As the Executive Director of the YMCA in her community, she is very involved in all aspects of family life. You can find her on the weekend doing DIY projects, cheering on LSU or the Saints, and spending time with her family. A lover of all revelry, there is no festival, concert, or event that she won't go to! Catch her with the Krewe of Cleopatra each Mardi Gras. She gets out of town with her kids as much as possible, they enjoy the outdoors, especially the mountains & the beach. Affectionately known as "Dana Dolittle" to her friends, you can expect her to have a random animal she is trying to help at any given time. Dana loves to write & says there are no topics off limits.
5 Game Day Go-To Appetizers Everyone Will Love
I love all things finger food and appetizers, especially dips. They are always great for game day, allowing people to graze and eat as they want. These are my top 5 go-to recipes that...
The Unfortunate Truth About Intruder Drills
Friday, I pulled into carpool excited to hear how my kids' second full day of school went. I see them smiling and running towards my car ready for the weekend. They hop in, buckle...
Wipe Your Tears Mommas, The Best is Yet to Come!
I have been extra weepy the past few weeks thinking about the end of the summer for two reasons:
My son Rex is turning 7, which to me is the end of the little kid...
Ship Island: The Gulfport Gem Perfect For a Day Trip
We have dozens of family travel tips on New Orleans Mom. Whether your family seeks a weekend trip within Louisiana, an adventure outdoors in the form of camping, or is looking for family-friendly hiking near New Orleans, look no...
Connecting to the Other Side: My Experience With a Medium
What happens after we move on from this life? It is a topic that is often explored and debated, but the fact of the matter is that no one walking this Earth has a...
5 Stars for Mean Girls on Broadway {But Make Sure You Check That Age...
5 Stars for Mean Girls on Broadway {But Make Sure You Check That Age Rating}
When I was offered a free set of tickets to go see Mean Girls on Broadway at the Saenger Theater...
There’s No Faking it at 40
I am a people pleaser by nature.
Being an enneagram type two with a three-wing my personality itself carries a lot of acceptance-seeking qualities. I always want to understand and attend to the needs of...
A Village of Few
We have all heard the expression “It takes a village!” when it comes to raising our kids. But what happens when your village is small? What happens when you look around and everyone seems...
Dear New Orleans, It’s Me Dana.
Hey New Orleans, it’s me again.
I am unfortunately writing this just one short month after my last letter to you.
But yet, here we are.
This week, parts of the metro area, specifically Arabi, got hit...
Let Me ‘Lend’ You Some Advice :: Homebuying in 2022
Being a mortgage loan originator, I get asked the same questions all the time by friends, family, and people that find out what I do. "Is the market going to crash? Are rates still...
Every Group of Friends Needs a “Dinner Club”
Picture it, New Orleans, March of 2016... (in my best Sophia Petrillo voice) three of my girlfriends went out to dinner one night. As they sat there eating & chatting, they talked about how...
A Love Letter to New Orleans: We Want You Back
New Orleans. My funky, cultured, musical, beautifully, dirty little city. Oh, how I love you so. However, lately, I have been feeling as if we need to take a break. Can I avoid you?...
Throw Me Something Mista! :: 2022 Guide to the Best Throws from Mardi Gras...
Throw Me Something Mista! :: 2022 Guide to the Best Throws from Mardi Gras Krewes
Growing up in Nebraska, every spring my grandparents would send me a box of all their best throws from parades...
Why We Said Buh-Bye to Birthday Parties
July 2017: I had spent weeks making sure that every element of my son's "Two Infinity & Beyond" birthday party absolutely perfect. I stayed up to the wee hours of the morning painting giant...