Persuading Mr. Literal

Last night I told the kids to hurry to take baths so we could watch You're a Good Man Charlie Brown before bedtime. Anya told Fisher to hurry, but Fisher did not want to. He said he wanted to stay in the bathtub. Anya warned him, "Well if you stay in the tub, the water will turn to ice!"

"Okay, I want to get out," Fisher quickly decided.

As I came into the bathroom to get Fisher out of the tub, he asked "Is the water about to turn to ice?"

"No," I assured him, "Anya was kidding."

"Oh," he replied still not completely convinced. Then he hastily climbed out without one complaint.

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This morning while Fisher and Anya were playing spies, Anya told Fisher that she needed his help on a mission. Fisher said, "No, I don't want to go, I want to stay here."

Anya warned him in the most serious, yet matter-of-fact tone, "If you don't go, I might die."

"Okay, I will go!" he eagerly obliged.

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Pray tell: how are we going to wield that persuasive quality for the good? Not to mention our poor, literal child!

Parenting! Lord, have mercy!