I think I am at a loss for trying to get thru to my 5 year old.
Being brought up by Military and then joing the Military, it's hard to properly associate to non-military citizens.
Best thing to do is to not be so strict on them. Examples: My 13 yr old boy has an attitude every time we ask him to do anything.
My first mental response is to yell (military style at him till he finishes the chore) . What I should have done was take his most valuable thing away, then his next and let him know the he will be sleeping on the floor if he doesn't stop. All the while explaining to him that however you are now is how you will be when you get on your own. (Most likely)
So everday I have to say something to him about what he didn't do right but then I also ask him how his day was and such. He hugs me all the time. (I'm not his real father, he knows it)
You can be too strict where they start to hate you but if you through in more love that punishment and rejection they will see that I promise) If non of this works just try to be pals with him and do stuff with him like building and using tools. Boys go ape shit over that even if your bored and don't try to do everything for them and be too protective. They want to learn and show you how they learn fast.
My real father went to jail before I was 1. My step father had a sun that turned 18 when was about 4 or 5. Well my stepfather's sun died. Then my step father would never do anything with me at then, so I taught myself many things just by watching. They never checked my grades, never cared if I was out of school and had no idea that I was a sponsored skate boarder for VANS shoes, Oasis Surf Shop, Hot Season's Surf Shop and Steve's South Coast Shop. I had a 4th degree black belt as well. I also went from Art 1 to Art 4 in one day. So I'm just saying don't give up but drop the military rules and etc.. cause no child will like that unless they are Gung-Ho all the time.