“CHILDREN DON’T QUIT TAEKWONDO, PARENTS DO”
“Children don’t quit Taekwondo, Parents do.” If you want your child to benefit or even receive their black belt and more, than you as a parent need to have a black belt commitment too.
Start with why you want your child to learn Taekwondo
Parent – “I want them to gain discipline and confidence”
Master to Parent: “Then here are the things you, as the parent need to know and follow no matter what:
1. You must be consistent in bringing your child to class. Schedule your Taekwondo days on days where they don’t have conflicting activities or move things around them so your child doesn’t miss classes or attend sporadically.
Why? Because discipline and confidence come from doing structured things, not random things.
2. When training gets tough and your child doesn’t want to go to class because it’s not “fun” you will tell them “get your Dobok and let’s go” no matter what.
Why? Because you can’t build discipline on your schedule, only doing what you want when you want. You also can’t build confidence by avoiding things that are hard to do or tough. Only by failing and then overcoming that failure can you grow confident. It is not easy but it is worth it.
3. When your child loses interest (which comes and goes by the way) the first time say “Get your Dobok and let’s go”.
Why? Because allowing your child to just give up something because they have lost interest leads to teaching them how to be a failure in life. Teaching your child the value of commitment and seeing things through is part of the discipline process. The loss of interest in kids happens but then they wish they wouldn’t have “quit”. Teach your child not to be a quitter. Having said that, if bringing them to class becomes a constant battle and unpleasant situation for you and the child, explain the situation to the instructor. At Gentle East Martial Arts if a child clearly no longer wants to participate in classes, we will happily cancel the contract and payments immediately so that you can use that money on an activity that your child enjoys 😃. An unhappy child and parent is something we want to prevent from happening.
4. You aren’t committing to attend Taekwondo. You are committing to get good at Taekwondo and earn your black belt. Children who see their training through to black belt will learn what it means to truly earn something which builds confidence and discipline. This will be invaluable in their lives as they grow into adulthood (going off to college and more).
5. Taekwondo will build confidence, discipline, focus and more BUT you have to be committed to it no matter what. You can’t just show up when you want and expect your child to gain from it. It takes work so teach your child the value of working hard. When you, the parent, are involved in their training they grow strong in their confidence and discipline. Don’t be “that parent” that just lets their kid start and quit things. Get them to the dojo and watch them develop strong, focused, driven and confident so that they can have a great life!”
You can apply these strategies in all areas of your child’s or your life!