Aidan being the littlest, sees more in this house than I think he does. Since he was walking, he at various times around suppertime, would take out the plates and put them on the table--in no order whatsover. He would keep stacking the plates (our blue finest plastic plates)--something he would do undoubtedly when I was trying to get something accomplished. I would always get frustrated with him because it meant that we would have to clear "his mess" up before one of the kids had the task to set the table. Finally, one day I realized, he was just doing what his bubbas and sissies would do--maybe not perfect, but he wanted to role in the family. He gave himself the task of setting the table. When I realized that, I started getting him to help me with the laundry--putting clothes in the washer (we have a front loader), so that makes it easy for him. Then when the wash machine is done, he pulls it out of the washer and puts it into the dryer. Sometimes, if I walk away, we might get some extra clothes somewhere they don't need to be, but he is my helper, and I don't mind. So now, when I need help, I incorporate him into the task--something that might seem monotonous to me, but something very big and important to him. Now, if ALL the kids would be as eager to help all the time! And if I would always be eager to do my part. I sure can learn much from a two-year old! In the picture of him "setting the table," he is just merely placing the forks on a napkin--a job that he loves. Emmmm, we'll see how much he loves it when he HAS to!