me: Go wash up and brush your teeth please.
Jack: (looks up from his drawing) No.
me: Uh, yeah, let’s go.
Jack: It’s a free country, Mom.
me: Not for kids, now get in there.
Jack: It’s a free country for everyone! Right?
me: Yes. However…Kids have to listen to their parents. It’s a free country for you when you’re an adult.
Jack: If it’s a free country then it’s free for everyone all the time!
me: Then how would kids know how to do anything? Their parents have to teach them and keep them safe and clean and fed … So it’s free but you do have to listen to your mom.
Jack: That means it’s like prison.