Painting Nails

I have to admit I'm terrible at painting my nails. I don't even attempt my fingernails because it's just hopeless. And when I paint my toenails, I just hope they're far enough away from everybody's eyes that they won't be able to see how amateur I am. I let my 4 year-old boy help me paint my nails today and I hate to admit that it didn't really look much different than it usually does. And I don't think that's because I have a particularly talented nail-painting son. Oh well, hopefully over the years it will get better. It hasn't so far, but here's the hope. Any tips?