It takes diligence and discipline and it’s boring as hell to implement, but if you keep at it relentlessly, it eventually becomes a part of them.
Of course it’s often the easier option to just do everything for them but, in baby steps, you can keep reminding them to do things like go to the toilet first thing in the morning, blow their noses instead of using their sleeves, greet people they meet and say please and thank you. It eventually becomes second nature and they do it all for themselves. Granted there are parents who don’t want their children too independent because they feel less needed (see post, ‘Procreating out of boredom’) but, like Sasha said, they should just get a puppy.
The most important part of constantly reminding them to say please and thank you – especially to you – is that, if they don’t say please and thank you to the person who does almost everything for them (you!), then they will end up thinking there is no need and will, therefore, start taking you for granted.
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Yip, totally agree. It is painfull but so worth it for the times when they thank you without having to be reminded. Or when you thank them and they say … pleasure! Hearing that from a 3 year old – too sweet for words!