When I used to do car sales, I was taught that if you smile and nod while you make an offer to a customer, they will be more likely to accept your offer. My sales manager said that when we do it, the other person will start smiling and nodding back at you. And that makes them more inclined to agree with you.

So, fast forward 15 years, and now I'm trying to get my four-year-old to eat some breakfast. I asked if he wants toast and eggs, blank stare. I asked, do you want cereal? Blank stare. Oatmeal? The kid was a stone wall. So, then I asked if he wanted oatmeal again, but this time I asked while smiling and nodding. No shit, he started smiling and nodding and he agreed!

tl;dr is to research sales manipulation tactics and employ them on your children for a more enjoyable parenting experience.