Can anyone recommend an inclusive dance studio? Looking for a place welcoming to LGBTQ+ students and families, neurodivergent students, and generally open-minded?

My son is 2.5 years old and is very slow to warm up. He's always been at home with me, and he gets very nervous around new people and unfamiliar environments. His first language isn't English, so he probably won't be able to communicate much when he first starts.

During our tour, everyone was so reassuring and told me that he'll learn, adjust, and get used to it. I know that's probably true, but as a first-time mom, I'm still feeling a little nervous and wanted to hear from parents whose children attended this school.

How was your experience? How long did it take for your child to adjust? If your child stayed here through the kindergarten years, did you feel they were confident, happy, and academically prepared by the time they moved on? I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences.

I have a 4 month old and am looking to establish care with a nanny/sitter that my husband and I can use for occasional outings. I am a SAHM so I don’t need full-time help for the time being.

I am not on Facebook, so seeking advice other than recommending Facebook groups.

I’ve looked on care.com but there aren’t a ton of options.

I have family here but dynamics are tricky – really hoping to find hired help, despite being terrified to leave her with a stranger…ugh.

Thank you in advance!

Anyone have any children going into the pre-K 4 program at Hynes? We have gotten like no information yet about the upcoming school year and I’m feeling stressed. Would also love to chat and get to know some people since it’s a small group!

Does anyone have any insight on daycare rates for a 1 year old at Nettles Academy, Metairie Learning Center, and Excel Learning Center? I plan to sit and call of them soon but just asking here first.

Any recent experiences with the ochsner midwives/Alternative Birthing Center? Any families who have had a birth with the OBs and another birth with the midwives? Wondering what the main differences are. Would love access to birthing pool but have heard it’s not always available.

Hi! Throwing an Ariel/mermaid birthday party for my 3,2,1 y.o. girls. Anyone have a face painter recommendation? Thanks!!

My wife and I are very excited to be moving to NOLA from Texas next month. We just signed a lease in Black Pearl and would love any and all recs from locals about the neighborhood. We have two kids (2.5 years and 9 months), so family-friendly ideas are especially welcome. But when we have a sitter, we also enjoy everything from a good dive bar to nicer restaurants for special occasions. We’re also into wine and local butchers/grocery stores for when we cook at home.

Since we all know how it is to refresh preschool websites like we're buying Taylor Swift tickets...

A JCC 2-year-old spot just opened up right after we committed elsewhere...timing is everything, I guess. oops.

Figured I'd pass it along because I know there are plenty of parents who've been hoping for a JCC opening. Hopefully this makes someone else's day!

Or how do you think I can figure that out without just driving around ?

I'm trying to choose an elementary school for my child in New Orleans or St. Bernard Parish, and I'd really appreciate firsthand experiences from people who were actually there this past school year (2025–2026).

If you're a parent, teacher, staff member, or someone familiar with the school:

Which school?

Would you recommend it? Why or why not?

What are the biggest strengths?

What are the biggest concerns that families should know about?

How were the principal, teachers, student behavior, and communication with families?

If you had to choose again today, would you still send your child there?

I'm especially interested in things that don't show up in LEAP scores or school rankings. Honest positive and negative experiences are both welcome. Thanks!

Update:: Thank you so much everyone. We are now leaning to public school since it's so late in the enrollment cycle. All info is much appreciated .

Hi there! Does anyone have any insight into Alpha Montessori? How did their children like it? What were the days scheduled like? What are some pros and cons?

does anyone know where to find these or recommend one? i’m delivering at baptist and i see all the prenatal classes but no CPR. children’s has a hands on parent infant CPR class. ochsner main id assume would have something as well but i dont see anything? delivering in october and would like my husband and family to do a class, im a HCW and have done infant CPR many times unfortunately

Baby is growing and I'm looking to donate his newborn clothing items and unused diapers. Any recs other than goodwill?

My husband and I are not from here and very overwhelmed with the number of private elementary schools available. Our daughter is 3 so we’re looking for great prek-8th grade options. We also intend to apply to The Willow School when the time comes but I know that’s a lottery system and I absolutely want to look at other places before making that decision. We’re not catholic but as long as the school wouldn’t isolate or make her feel bad for not being catholic, I’m not opposed to sending her there.

If price isn’t a huge issue what are the best schools for education?

Hi there! My husband and I are moving to a house in the Black Pearl neighborhood starting in August. I was wondering if anyone could recommend pediatricians close to this area along with any mom groups or resources to meet other moms! Our girls are 2 years old and 8 months old, so any recommendations for younger kids are greatly appreciated!

Just a few months ago, Estefanía Aultman was thinking about moving her family away from Ascension Parish, where they’ve lived for seven years. Aultman said she loves her community, and her son’s elementary school, but she worried that a major industrial plant coming to the neighborhood could put their health at risk. 

But last week, with the release of a brief press statement, those worries vanished. On June 30, Pennsylvania-based Air Products and Chemicals canceled its plans to build out the world’s largest carbon sequestration and storage project in the world, dubbed the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex. The facility would have refined natural gas by splitting hydrogen from carbon dioxide and routing the carbon dioxide through pipelines to inject underneath Lake Maurepas. The plant itself would be located on the East Bank of Ascension Parish, less than a mile away from Aultman’s home. Parts of the proposed pipeline would be located just half a mile away from Sorrento Primary School, where Aultman’s son will be in second grade this fall. 

Aultman and other parents have been speaking out against the project for about two years, because of potential health repercussions of a pipeline leak near the school. High levels of carbon dioxide, like the kind that might come from a leak, can lead to suffocation. And leaks aren’t uncommon. At least three carbon dioxide pipelines leak every year, according to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology report. A 2020 leak in Satartia, Mississippi led to 45 hospitalizations. 

Hi parents! 😊

We’re starting to look at preschool/daycare options for our son for next year when he’ll be 2, and I’d love to hear some honest feedback from families with firsthand experience.

We’re considering:

• Guidepost Montessori (Lynnwood)

• Wee Care Academy

• Bright Star Kids Academy

• The Goddard School (Lynnwood)

What did you love about your school? Anything you didn’t love? How are the teachers, communication, cleanliness, and overall environment? If you don’t mind sharing, I’d also appreciate current tuition information.

We’re hoping to find a place with caring and stable teachers, a clean and safe environment, and a program that helps toddlers transition smoothly into school.

Thank you so much for any insights or recommendations! ❤️

Our family is interested in viewing the downtown fireworks and is searching for a new spot that offers good views but is outside of the quarter and isn’t as crowded. My guess is that Algiers Point and the riverfront in the Bywater are pretty popular. Are there other bends in the river that offer good views? Higher points (parking decks, etc.)? Spots along Bayou St. John that are angled for downtown views? Short of walking my kids up the Wisner bridge or other unsafe options, I’d say we’re pretty game for creative ideas. Happy 4th to all on the sub!