Ideally we all want our children to have safe, organized rooms, but we don't want them to spend their whole lives cleaning. Yet, to be honest, we don't want to do it all ourselves. What can a parent do?

Make the room functional. Create a space that is easy to use and easy to keep clean. Use plenty of low shelves, a dresser that the child can use alone, if desired and consider adding a lower bar in the closet. You might keep the high bar for "good" clothes that you don't want your child to have. I've seen everything from permanently installed closet organizers to a broomstick with a screw-in eye on each end attached to the upper bar with rope. Use whatever fits the decor or your price range. For younger children, hanging whole outfits -- with socks and underwear -- on those toddler hangers so the child can choose an outfit that looks good together.

For babies, keep all the items you need together. The changing table should include everything you might need to change your baby, including at least one spare outfit. Don't allow yourself, or someone else to be tempted to step away from the table without the baby. All of the baby bath items should be kept in a dish basin or a mesh bag. You can't leave a baby in a bath to get the shampoo and you don't want to carry a wet, squirmy infant through the house to get a towel! (Trust me, you don't!) A little organization can really pay off with infants.