I'm a full-time mummy

We used to watch loads of TV. I mean, I used to let my 2 kiddos watch TV a lot. Everytime they have their meals and after 6pm until their bedtime. EVERYDAY. I think it amount to about 7 hours a day.

Until I decided that it is time to cut it down.

Yes, cut down TV time.

I started doing this a week before November 2012 ends and so far, I'm happy to report that I think we have cut down a LOT of TV time since then. There are days when we do not even turn on the TV at all (I know because there are dust collecting on the TV - no kidding)

Of course, I still had to on some rare occasions turn on the TV and let my kiddos watched some of their Disney shows (their latest favorite is Lilo & Stitch) so that I could rush off some paperwork for hubby's business (recent is closing of year end's account).

I do know too much TV time is not good. I do know we cannot use TV to babysit our children. I know that. Which is why I decided to cut it down. Note that I did not say I'm stopping the TV time completely, for now, I am starting it slow, and that is by cutting down the TV time.

To replace TV time, I get myself and my 2 kiddos to spend more time on activities like playing water in our balcony, learning activities (cutting exercises, gluing, coloring, reading, writing for my 46 months old boy and doodling for my 16 months old girl), dough, Lego, watching documentaries and reading books from my iPad, grocery shopping, baking, playing at porch, water plants, anything to get them off the TV.

My 2 kiddos watching National Geographic documentary on Human Body..

I was told that it takes 21 days to change a habit, I think our progress is good so far. I hope that this will continue on!

How about your kids? Are they on TV? A lot or not much? Do share!

The New Year always brings with it fresh starts and new beginnings for the coming twelve months. What greater way to start 2013 than by redecorating your baby's nursery. Here are some great ideas that you can use to make the nursery more exciting for toddlers.

Brighten up the walls with bright colours

Young children should be in exciting and stimulating environments to help them learn and develop. If your nursery has plain white wash walls then you should inject some colour with a bright feature wall or by painting your baby's favourite cartoon characters and animals on the wall. If you are not the best with a paint brush or would like an alternative to painting the nursery then you can use wall stickers to bring your toddler's nursery to life.

Make your nursery educational

There are many great ways to make your nursery educational. One way to interact with children in the nursery is to create a reading area in the corner of the room. Start by using beanbags and an assortment of soft cushions and throws in a circle, for you to sit and read together. By fitting bookshelves in the same corner of the room you can easily access interactive toys and games when having learning time.

Making the nursery exciting for toddlers

To make your nursery exciting for toddlers it is a great idea to create a theme for the room and to build on this with colours, pictures, themed bed covers, curtains, rugs, lampshades and accessories.

If you have a boy then you could choose a cowboy theme and have a big sheriff Badge Night light placed above their bed and a rocking horse in the room. Or you could choose a racing theme and have a car shaped bed, a rug with racing cars on that your child can play or accessories and characters from the Disney and Pixar film, Cars.

If you are creating a theme for a girl then you could opt for a princess theme and have a castle painted onto the wall, shelves to display their favourite dolls or even a mini wardrobe with clothes in for dressing dolls and teddy bears. Or you could create a fairy and magical creatures theme and create a secret treasure chest for storing all of their toys.

For more exciting nursery ideas visit Vertbaudet for tips on how to decorate your nursery for a fresh start in the New Year.