Weaning Ourselves Off of Our Video Addiction

Blogger has made some changes to their interface, and I'm examining them. No time to write today.

Last night in Shepherding Group I mentioned that I had been feeling terribly disorganized, that I needed to impose some structure in my life, cut back on the amount of time my children spend watching videos, etc. I have a question. How do I implement the changes that will get my children to spend less time in front of a video screen?

This morning I succeeded in not having a video put on first thing. I took the children outside to play for a time and Isaac and I went on a little walk together. Next thing I know the boys are asking for the fifth or sixth time if they can watch Little Einsteins, and instead of putting them off again, I give in. They proceeded to watch two Charlie Brown episodes, and one or more Little Einsteins, which represented great restraint in comparison to what they are accustomed to seeing. After lunch we went to a park as a family. So far so good, but we can't go to a park every day. What is a sensible and reasonable procedure for weaning them off videos and computer games? And if I'm not letting them watch television, when exactly to I get to write? These are questions that must have answers.  What do you recommend?

Why is Organization So Much More Difficult Than Imagination Suggests?

I decided to work on the linen closet in our bathroom while Parker slept this morning. It isn't a dedicated linen closet because it is the only closed storage in our bathroom. Therefore it functions as linen closet, supply closet and medicine cabinet. All the books and organizational experts tell you to take one shelf at a time. Unfortunately, taking one shelf at a time isn't very practical because virtually everything in the closet has to be shifted. My mom did a good job of setting up the closet initially, but over eleven months its organization has become ineffective. Besides which I currently have cleaning supplies sitting out where I can see them, out of Parker's reach, but still in the way. I'm about halfway through, but what I've done so far doesn't work as well as I had hoped. I'm left with a disassembled bathroom.

I don't know whether there is room between the closed door and the shelves, but I've seen illustrated some sort of door mounted contraption that holds hair supplies (hair dryer, curling iron, etc.) Does anyone know where I could find such a thing? My ideal shelf would have a convenient shelf or drawer for arranging makeup, and a couple of holes for round brushes.