So...how have I done this? First, from a small age, I have taught our children to throw their own diaper away or to get trash bags out to put in the trash can. They learn early and I love their faces when they feel a sense of accomplishment. Second, we are very measurable in our "work time". The older children (7,5 and 4 years old) work with me in the morning primarily. I tell them how long we will work, what their jobs will be, and what we will do when we are done. This really helps them see the "light at the end". Lastly, an invaluable resource that has helped me find age appropriate jobs is this great book. It is called What Every Child Should Know Along the Way by Gail Martin. It is available at http://www.gfi.org/. You might check it out. It also contains some great information on manners, character and other teaching tools.
We have a friend that visits our home in the morning. Often she asks to take a couple of our kids home with her. In the hour she is here, Benjamin has vacuumed the floors, Lynnea emptied the dishwasher and baskets of their own laundry are on their way up the stairs. Our home can stay neat (most of the time) and our kids take ownership as well!
Amazingly enough, we did it. I really thought watching "our baby" get bigger was going to be easy. Yesterday, I found myself shopping in a boutique for Isaac. I had a gift card that I wanted to use to buy him an outfit to wear for his birthday. One thing led to another as I scanned the layette. No more little tiny outfits. You guessed it. Crying my eyes out while waiting in line. I can only imagine how much harder this gets. 
