Make Chores Fun

Our babies are born egocentric. They've got to be, in order to survive. They cry, and we jump to feed them, change a diaper, check if they're comfortable, or give them a cuddle. Ah, but it turns out that the little sweethearts also come into the world with a natural inclination to be kind, even selfless. German psychology researcher Felix Warneken, PhD, showed that 18-month-olds exhibit altruistic behavior. In one experiment, Dr. Warneken dropped a small object and pretended it was out of reach. More often than not -- without being asked or rewarded -- the toddlers helped.

Want your kids to pitch in around the house? Let 'em see you cleaning, clearing, cooking, sorting, sweeping, and all the rest. And invite them to join you. "The key is to show, show, show," says Parents advisor Michele Borba, EdD. author of 12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know. "Kids learn by watching their parents. It's much better than telling them what to do." Capitalize on your child's want-to-do attitude and soon she'll beg, "Let me help some more!"