Slow

Every year, we have the sunscreen battle. The one where mom says to wear sunscreen and the kids ignore me. So, every year, M has to get a sunburn before he believes me that you can actually come to some harm by ignoring mom.
Don't get me wrong. I'm totally not the sunscreen police. I usually want my kids out in the sun without it for a fair portion of the year. Natural vitamin D and all that jazz. It's just that 6 hours in the sun with pasty white skin can lead to pain and suffering.
This year we had our requisite burn and pain and vowing to wear sunscreen. I thought we were good. So, Friday, I told M to be sure to put on sunscreen. Dad reminded him too. I helped him put some on. Then he took off his shirt. That night, we did the aloe vera and "ouch that hurts" routine again.
Saturday he put sunscreen on his face and arms and legs (reluctantly) and headed outside. He came back in to put on his swimming suit. "Put sunscreen on!" I yelled. He ignored me.
Sunday he was in serious pain. And was banned from being in the sun all day. Oh woe.
Today I told him he had to wear a wide brimmed hat, sunscreen and stay in the shade as much as possible. He sat on the couch and whined, argued and snarked.
That kid is slow. Brilliant in so many ways, but just, slow.