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.
Worth the Drive from New Orleans :: Mississippi Aquarium
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...
Our Epinephrine Experience
Author’s note: Epinephrine is the name of the medicine that counters an allergic reaction and is often administered in a patented syringe with the brand name “EpiPen.” Although our family uses another syringe brand,...
Still Processing the Pandemic… 2 Years Later
When I need to process something, I usually sit down with my journal and write about it until my hand feels ready to fall off. I’ve been doing this for as long as I...
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt :: Easter Edition
We’ve done Halloween… we’ve done Christmas… but now it’s spring and time for the Easter version of the neighborhood scavenger hunt! Who’s ready?
These scavenger hunts are a fantastic way to get the kids outside...
Cartoon Catharsis: The 7 Bluey Episodes That Make Me Cry
Sidebar :: check out this Bluey inspired magic asparagus recipe.
Cartoon Catharsis: The 7 Bluey Episodes That Make Me Cry
At any point in my life did I think I’d be writing a very public blog...
To Ukrainian Mothers: We Hear You
It’s been a heavy couple of days here, living in my head, grappling with the loss of a six-year-old in Slidell and watching the news on the invasion in Ukraine. The tragedy can feel...
What’s A Mardi Gras?
When it was announced that Mardi Gras 2022 would happen, I almost didn’t believe it, and I didn’t dare mention it to my kids for fear of disappointing them in case it got canceled....
Tết Festival 2022 :: You’re Invited!
Chúc mừng năm mới! Happy New Year!
On February 1, my family, along with countless others, will celebrate Lunar New Year. We don’t count down to midnight or pop the champagne, but we enjoy many...
The Third Kid: Fact or Fiction
Friends, I fear I have been lied to.
When I was pregnant with my third son, friends with three or more children reached out to help calm my nerves. They assured me the third child...
My Year-Long Decluttering Project: Over 2,000 Items Decluttered!
In January 2021, a friend sent me a daunting-looking PDF with over two thousand empty squares and the challenge: declutter 2,021 items from my home in one year.
Talk about intimidating!
I wouldn’t call myself...
Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt: Christmas Edition
If your kids enjoyed the Halloween neighborhood scavenger hunt, brace yourself… the Christmas version of the scavenger hunt is twice as epic! Christmas decorations have started popping up throughout our neighborhood, and our search...
My Annual Reading Challenge: Small but Successful
The year is drawing to a close, and I’m staring at my Goodreads reading challenge list. (If you’re not familiar with Goodreads, it’s a website that lets you rate and review books within an...
One Good Thing a Day :: My “OGTAD” Journey
Naturally, on Thanksgiving, we focus on gratitude for that special day, or maybe the entire month. Our kids might learn about gratitude in school, or we may do special projects with them at home....
Take the Trip: Oak Mountain State Park
We have dozens of family travel tips on New Orleans Mom. If you are looking for longer adventures, check out this list of budget friendly road trips from New Orleans. You may also enjoy visiting Fontainebleau State...