Authentically Nita

It is a known fact that children are more inclined to pay attention to colorful visual aids and catchy tunes compared to reading a text book during study time. Fortunately, developers of apps children such as ThinkCube have created a more enjoyable learning environment by introducing fun kids apps like CookieCoo Dancing Star to the market. This particular iPad apps for children by ThinkCube is geared to teaching children new concepts such as rhythm, coordination, and vocabulary in a game setting. This way, the attention of young children won't stray away from the learning session because it is set in a more enjoyable manner. The CookieCoo Dancing Star kids apps for iPad is designed to help parents teach their children how to use their senses during play time. It is not just their eyes, ears and hands that are used in this rhythm game but their ability to memorize the songs playing as well. The songs used in the rhythm game are all too familiar with older people because these ar...

Santa Says  Santa's Blog shares children's Christmas wishes and many aren't asking for toys: My Grandma’s nightgown has holes in it you can see through and I don’t like to, so she needs a new one, and her Mix Masters broke too. I want $500 to help Mommy pay all the bills because we are getting a little poor and she worries so much. You can skip all the toys this year. What I want is for my brother to get better, to speak and act like he used to and not have to take pills all the time. Can you make me magic? Dear Santa, will you let dad spean time with us. I need your help. Dear Santa, All I wish is to see my Grandpa for Christmas. Please for me. All I want is for my baby cousin Brandon to get better. Visit his blog to see what Santa Says!

ME: You're NOT behaving and you told me that you would be good & follow directions. HER: I told you that, but I am trying. ME: I don't want to hear that you're trying! Go to bed right NOW! HER: I said I was trying to follow directions mom. I'm trying my best. That's all I can do mom, is try my best. ME: *Blank stare* .....GO TO BED!!! What is the deal with small children and bedtime? Even after a very busy day, when you know they should be tired, they just don't like bedtime.

My 5 year old has turned into a real live Mean Girl. She has spent a good part of summer vacation getting scolded about saying rude things to people. She has been saying things like this: You stink. Leave me alone with your fat behind! You're ugly. Your hair looks a mess. Your breathe stinks. You look all dirty. Get away from me. Ewe don't sit by me, you're nasty! AND MORE! She says these things to other children. So I started saying things like this: Hey! Watch your mouth. You don't talk to people like that! That's rude, you need to apologize, right now. You shouldn't say things like that to people, because it hurts their feelings. You don't want to make people feel bad do you? Saying those things didn't seem to help. Instead, it resulted in scenarios like this: My Daughter : Eeeelll!!! Your breathe stinks. Other person : *looks at her* My Daughter : Did it hurt your feelings when I said your breathe stinks? Other Person : Kind of. My Daughter : We...

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I was completely shocked, appalled and even angered by these videos. Russian Child Smoking - The funniest videos clips are here I haven't given one out in a long time but these parents definitely deserve a Thumbs Down for being so irresponsible!

Is it just me, or is Back to School shopping extra-expensive this year???? I think it's a combination of my pay check not going as far as it used to and the fact that all of my children are in school now. I only have to buy uniforms for three of them this year, but that doesn't really matter. Looking on the bright side: At least I don't have to buy one of those expensive calculators this year.

I guess there comes a time when every mother has to come face to face with their teenager and let them know who's boss. Mother/daughter relationships can be difficult during these years. This Thursday's Thought: "Mother Nature is providential. She gives us twelve years to develop a love for our children before turning them into teenagers." ~William Galvin The reason behind the thought: My daughter crossed a line last night. This line crossing showed blatant disrespect and has changed our relationship forever. My daughter turned 13 in March. It's only been a few months and one of my worst fears has already come true. The fear that she would one day forget how much I love her and how much I've been here for her through the years. I've never had a teenager before and this is all new to me, but one thing I am not going to do is play friends with her and allow her to disrespect me.

Not long ago I posted a Blog about this wonderful organization and how they are helping inner city youth experience life outside of the city. I think this is great because it is at no expense to the children and could make a world of difference in their lives. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so! A group of generous donors has decided to match all donations received in the month of June, dollar for dollar. Please donate by June 30th so that your donation can be matched. If you'd thought about this before and thought to yourself, "$25.00 is nothing." This is the time to erase that thought. This month $25.00 is $50.00. So if you can spare it, and you feel that this is a good cause, please contribute to The Fresh Air Fund .

Does anyone know what a 3 year old drunk acts like? Loopy and unable to walk straight. Won't sit still. They say stuff that would normally get them tapped in their little mouth, or at least scolded. Once you get them to sleep, they will sleep for long periods of time. They wake up in the middle of the night muttering about events that happened the day before, then quickly fall back to sleep. She will wake up the next morning acting very hyper. My youngest daughter was given medication at the hospital, so that she could have all her dental work done in one shot. This is what happens when your child is under the influence (of legal narcotics). Thank goodness this is all over and I have my little girl back.

It is a breath of fresh air just to know that organizations like this exist. Check out this video from The Fresh Air Fund: The Fresh Air Fund is an organization that gives inner-city youth, from low-income families living in New York City, an opportunity to experience life in the country or suburbs. The program allows these children to enjoy a FREE, Fresh Air Vacation for two weeks in the summer. Right Now, The Fresh Air Fund is in need of Host Families. If you live in any of the participating states (listed below), and if you have room in your home and in your heart, please open your door to a child this summer. Contact The Fresh Air Fund for more details on becoming a host family. There are no financial obligations and hosts get to choose the age group and gender of the child they will bring into their home. So if you have an eight year old daughter, you could host a girl in that age group to hang out with your little girl and vacation at your home for two weeks. The Fresh Air Fund...

Back in the day my mom used to use Snuggle Fabric Softener. I used to think I had picked it out for her because I would always say, "get the one with the bear on it," and she would. Now that I'm older I know she bought it because it's a good product and it made our clothes smell good. If you're a fan of Snuggle brand fabric softers (like I am), you have to check out the new Snuggle Creme! Sweet Almond Essence If you have not heard of Snuggle Creme yet, see the video: Right now you can get $2.00 off. (So, take advantage of it while it lasts, it sure beats paying full price for Downy)

Over the past few days I've been reading some stories, blogs and comments bashing families that have a large number of children. This is all due to the controversy over Nadya Suleman and the Octuplets. My how we judge. It's crazy and a little disappointing that people are so angry. We are raising eight kids together now. 8 It takes a village, and we have a strong support system of family and friends. The children are 12, 8, 7, 7, 5, 4 , 4 & 1. One child has juvenile diabeties, one child was born premature and one child has Biliary Atresia. Somedays we want to pull our hair out and we yell at each other because we are frustrated. Those days don't over shadow the good ones. We are a step-family and it's very challenging. The Jeub family posted on their website that they received this message recently: "You guys who say we want to have as many as GOD gives us sicken me. This is not the medieval times, this is an advanced age [where] everyone has access to b...

Nadya Suleman Mother of the second set of Octuplets to be born in the U.S. She's going through a lot right now and so many people have something to say about her situation. Regardless of how it happened, these babies are here now. All eight babies: Noah, Maliah, Isaiah, Nariah, Makai, Josiah, Jeremiah and Jonah These babies are the world's second set of Octuplets to be born alive. They are also the only set of Octuplets that has had all babies survive this long. Everything else aside, that's amazing to me. I hope they all make it. I don't think that what this woman needs right now is the entire world telling her how stupid she is or people sending her death threats. This is a crucial time in these baby's lives and she is probably worried about them all making it. Especially since multiple births have an increased risk of death.