I cannot remember where I read it..article, book, etc.. but child psychologist John Bradshaw had good ideas about children and their assigned tasks. He particularly showed how to take the reminding them out of it, because they get used to being reminded and so they rely on that instead of taking initiative. For example the task was assigned and a time to have it completed was also assigned. The consequence for not completing the task was assigned. If the trash is assigned to be taken out at 6pm and it is still sitting there at 6:05pm, then the parent takes the trash out and the child gets the assigned consequence. No reminding. Afterwards the child is told in a matter-of-fact tone that the consequence is theirs and why. This was very helpful to me on many levels. Maybe if you google him you will find more..?