Adamant Son.

My not-yet 4 yr old son was wearing same shirt for the past 3 days. And he hadn't had a bath for the past 2 days. With a vlaid reason:Fever. Today he was fine. So I asked him to go for a change. He refused. He remained adamant. I accused his mom of pampering him. She in turn challenged me to accomplish what I set out to.
Presuation, temptation didn't help. Accusing him of unruly behaviour I hauled him into bathroom. His mom helped. He fought like a tiger. He slithered on floor, cried, bit, shouted,....to no avail. Mission completed declared the dad. He was wrong. Civil war loomed.
Son wanted to be dirty, again. He refused to be dried. He went out of house, took his mother aong with him to nearby sand mound. He made his mother pour sand on him. He came back, checked himself in the mirror. Wasn't happy with the degree of dirtiness. He raided the sand pile again and returned like those fashion models with body paint.
He was happy that, he had become dirty again. So much resolve, so much hatred, so much defiance for a 3 1/2 yr old. Life is going to be difficult for me.
I hope he doesn't remember this incident in future and pay me in the same coin.
After note: He bathed after a while on his own terms.
But like Bush, I realise, Regime (mind) change shouldn't be bought by force.
Oh, did I people tell you that, he is named after Buddha.