Different questions...

They think we're arguing almost (if not more than) the equivalent to it being okay to manipulate children into becoming living sacrifices to Molekh or something. You counter it with 'well PARENTS manipulate too' it should be no surprise if you lose them.

...which would make sense if the answer was "should they be manipulated" (to which my answer is "no," regardless of whether the outcome is positive or negative).

But whether they will be immolated alive or forced to brush their teeth is almost irrelevent to the question "CAN they be readily manipulated" - to which millions of parents have already given the answer... "not that well, no."

Different questions.