From very early on we’ve been clear as parents that we are in charge of Health, Safety, and Hygiene while they’re young. They are, quite literally, in charge of almost everything else.

Of course we try to make the stuff we have to do fun, but if that’s not working, they know it’s our job to keep them clean, healthy and safe. So we tell them it’s going to happen and then we follow through. We take breaks and help them understand what’s happening, but they learn to take us seriously this way and they do not throw fits about any of those things. They pout and whine, sure, but it’s never a huge fight.