As a parent, what is your long term martial arts goal for your child?
When trying to achieve a Black belt students will have high and low moments. Part of success is overcoming setbacks and staying motivated through the process. It’s normal to have highs and lows with any activity. If the activity is healthy and beneficial and cause a person to grow in many ways, as parents, we should not be tolerant of most excuses. There are few good reasons to quit Martial Arts, other then moving or illness. Even finances can be worked out.
Many parents let their kids quit because the child loses motivation, or just want to do other activities. What if they complain about school, do we let them drop out? What are their future chances if we did? You won’t let them and you would probably refuse to listen to any excuses they have for dropping out of school, a battle worth fighting for.
Mothers and fathers, shouldn’t we be planting seeds of perseverance with our kids or ourselves not quit something if we gain so much? Teach your kids to be tough and hang in there. I often think its parents that give up easier then the kids do. They just don’t want to deal with it. No one said Parenting was easy. If they complain about going to class, then assign them a tough chore they have to do instead. Then ask them: “You have 2 choices, what do you prefer? Going to class or cleaning the bathrooms? If they choose the chore, be real picky how good it needs to be done.
Ask yourself: “Are you their buddy or their parent?” They will have enough friends, there is no need to be their buddy. I was tough on my son and he fought me on almost every step, to Black Belt, but he thanks me now. He is grateful, and proud of his accomplishment.
“A big shot was a little shot that kept shooting.” Zig Ziglar
Think long term.
Master D