Erica Tran
Erica lives in Kenner with her husband Michael and her three sons, Benjamin, Joshua, and Elijah. After graduating from UL Lafayette with a degree in advertising and landing her dream job, she left her chosen field and now works part time as an administrative assistant for a Catholic retreat movement. She spends the rest of her time at home with her boys, finding lost toys and actively ignoring various messes. In 2019, she self-published her first book, The Sister. There's not a lot of free time between working, reading and writing, and chasing her kids, but in those moments she's usually sprawled on the sofa in casual denial about just how messy her house is.
Dear Argus: We Love You, but We’d Love You More at 10AM
Dear Argus,
It was a glorious day for Mardi Gras! Perhaps a tad hot, but we’ll take it over rain. Hard to complain when you’re in the midst of celebrating such a joyous day!
But… if...
The Evolution of Our Valentine’s Date Night
Once upon a time, long ago, in high school, my boyfriend and I tried going out to eat for Valentine’s Day. He picked me up and brought me to a restaurant, where we didn’t...
Humiliation Versus Humility
This story isn’t necessarily about religion, but it does start in a church.
My husband and I take our three sons to mass at a Catholic church every weekend. As expected, my boys can struggle...
Happy Lunar New Year!
Chúc mừng năm mới! Happy New Year!
The world at large celebrated New Year’s Day on January 1, but many Asian communities, including my family, will celebrate Lunar New Year on January 22. My husband...
Why You Should Keep a Christmas Journal
I know many of you are completely DONE with Christmas by this point, but in my house, we celebrate until January 6th. One of my newest favorite traditions is filling out my Christmas Memories...
I Didn’t Make Class Goodie Bags & The World Didn’t End
Confession: I did not make goodie bags for my kids’ class Halloween parties. And the world didn’t end.
That sentence was so easy to type, but to do it– or rather, to do NOTHING– was...
My Kids Don’t Want an Elf… But I Do!
Over the years, I’ve seen a ton of Elf on the Shelf content online: hilarious photos, rants and complaints, elf kits and ideas, parents helpfully reminding other parents to move their elf, and so...
Worth the Drive: Cajun Pride Swamp Tour
We have dozens of family travel tips on New Orleans Mom because we LOVE to get out and about and explore Louisiana and the surrounding areas. Whether it’s a quick day trip to Fontainebleau State Park for...
Our Favorite Non-Battery Toys & Gifts
The holiday season is fast approaching, and wish lists are being built! I know there’s a call for experience-based gifts over physical toys, but truth be told, at the risk of my house bursting...
Learning to Say Yes
Even before I had kids, I kind of figured I would be a strict parent. I like rules; they make me feel safe. But as time has gone on and I’ve gotten more parenting...
Ordinary Joy
We recently had our headshots taken for this very site, and while I was awkwardly trying to follow the photographer’s prompts– hips back, shoulders forward, look over here, so on– we made small talk...
All About Granola Butter :: Our Favorite Peanut Butter Substitute
My two youngest sons have peanut allergies, and my middle son is very aware of how prevalent peanut butter is in the world around him. It was important for us to have a peanut...
A Love Letter to My Surprise Third Baby
Dear little love,
Your mama is a planner with control issues, so finding out we were pregnant with you– our third, unplanned baby– felt like my whole world was flipped upside down. I spent almost...
Cheers to the Toddler Years
The first day of school is almost upon us, with a whole host of fresh new “firsts” and beginnings.
So why do I feel so sad, like something is ending?
It’s no secret I’m not a...