For the Child Who Refuses to Wash Their Face

Four lines you can say out loud tonight. Word for word. Free to save.

What to say

1. Face and hands before we leave. The washcloth is already wet.

2. Water on your face first thing is a shock, and you hate the shock.

3. One wipe across the forehead, one on each cheek, then you dry with the blue towel.

4. You do the wiping. I hold the towel and wait.

When to use it

This is for the moment it actually goes wrong — not the calm version you rehearse in the car. Pick one line. Say it once. Then stop talking and wait three seconds. If they push back, repeat the same line, not a new one. Say the same thing for five nights before you decide it doesn't work.