Now back to my kids...For my son, having things labeled is a big help. He has a bin labeled "army men", one labeled "dinosaurs", etc. So when I say, "please clean up your army men", he knows exactly where they go.

As for my daughter...I tried labeling technique and what did she do? She took them off because she didn't like it. She said, "I know where my things go". So for her, dividing her room into zones (dress-up, doll house etc.) with a bin or two for each helps her keep her room clean.

I tried having one drawer for all her dress-up shoes and one drawer for all her dress-up accessories, but it just didn't work. She wants them all in one bin and doesn't mind digging for her things. Digging drives me crazy, but for her, it's just fine...and maybe even fun.

Last but not least, just walking into your kid's room and saying "Clean Your Room!" is usually not best way to go. For toddlers, elementary age and for some teenagers it is a good idea to be specific.

For example: "Please put all your dress-up clothes in box and all your doll clothes in their box." That way they have a specific mission. Instead of just looking at their room in a state of confusion, you have given them some direction.

One note to parents: Keeping YOUR room clean also will set a GREAT example for your kids! Hey, just making bed makes a world of difference ;).

Using an open adoption method, birth parents and adoptive parents know something about each other. In least open, birth mother reads about several possible families and picks one that sounds best for baby. In most open type, mother and adoptive parents share names, addresses, telephone numbers and actually stay in contact with one another through years.

The second major decision concerning adoption concerns question, "Where will child come from?" Again, there are two options. You can adopt a child born in United States, called a domestic adoption, or you can choose to adopt a child from another country, referred to as an inter-country adoption. If you choose second option, you must then decide from which country your child should come--sometimes a very difficult, but vitally important decision.

No matter what type of adoption you choose to pursue, remember that this is a legal proceeding and must be finalized in court, although process varies from state to state. Adoption is a life-long process, and you and your new addition are sure to have many questions along way. "Why did Mom give me up?" "Who is my real Dad?" These are real and important questions which must be answered by those involved, but adoption is truly a great opportunity for everyone involved. With adoptions everyone wins!