As you know pixie I’m not a huge fan of mask mandates however I believe in following all the rules.
If I’m required to wear a mask I will do so to full compliance 100% of the time.
We can argue all day long about what the rules should be.
Following the rules is non negotiable.
My boys are both autistic...needless to say, life around here can be chaotic (understatement of the decade).
One thing I never, ever budge on - RULES MUST BE OBEYED.
We would never have been able to visit WDW with them when they were 2 1/2 and 7 without lots and lots of practice with rules beforehand. Rules for packing, rules for the bus from where we park to the airport, rules for the plane, rules for the hotel room, etc. etc. The three of us (but mostly me and my youngest) practiced for
months prior to that trip. By the time they were 5 1/2 and 12, you would never know they were even on a plane with you (I've been approached and told as much by complete strangers) because we'd traveled on so many modes of transportation and been to WDW multiple times.
My oldest is now 15, and it's been so drilled into him that I've had to tell him not to berate his elder peers for cursing or to tell strange men on the subway that it's not okay to lean on the doors because it's likely to get him punched in the face or worse (yep...both actually happened).
Struggles with mask-wearing? WE HAD ABSOLUTELY NONE. We told them to wear them, and they did. My youngest still does as he's only 10. My oldest was eager to get vaccinated, and my youngest continues to ask when he can get his.
ETA: Masks are recommended for extended school year (summer school) for my youngest, but not required. He's one of the very few actually wearing one...but considering that his class is likely 6 or fewer kids, I'm not enormously concerned. We don't know what school in the fall is going to look like yet.