nap/bed time schedule for 3 month old

my son fights naps during the day 6 days out of 7. on the days he fits and doesn't sleep, he sleeps like a rock at night. he acts sleepy, falls asleep for 20 minutes, either wakes up in my arms or in the crib. frankly I'm tired of fighting him every afternoon and I don't want to force him into a schedule if it's not necessary. he knows when it's bed time, some nights he's wide awake but mostly he's got that down to a routine. any advice? do I have to force a routine on him at this age? can that wait a few months? oh and I tried a mini cry it out on him for like 3 minutes... he was a mess when I went in to get him, tears streaming and nose full of snot.... poor poor guy. every one in my parents generation say to have then cry it out from newborn stage and I'm just not comfortable with it.