Quitting Martial Arts
Written by: Michelle Cassady, MA Ed.
Do parents quit martial arts or does the child chose to quit? It’s such a controversial decision, either way. You, as parents, want what is best for our child and we, as educators, want to see your child succeed. You made the decision to help your child, which is great, so make the decision to keep them in martial arts.
It’s not an activity. It’s not a sport. It’s a lifestyle. Would you pull your child out of school because they were struggling with Math and didn’t want to go? School is just as much of a necessity as martial arts. We are not just any martial art. We are Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu which means, self-defense, self-discipline, and a positive mindset. We are preparing you and your child for the future. It’s not just about defending yourself; it’s about developing life skills including, self-confidence, leadership skills, discipline, focus, and respect.
Children will have ups and downs in martial arts like anything else in life. It is our job, as parents and educators, to help them through it. Sometimes the best time to train is when you are having a tough time because it helps teach resilience and develops confidence. Children learn patience, conflict resolution, and socialization, but above all, they will be active which promotes healthy behaviors and lifestyles.
The last thing we want to do is teach kids “how to quit” in life, or in anything. Talk to us! Discussing what your child is going through because it is most likely normal. It’s so common to hear; “I’m bored,” “I don’t want to work with a certain kid,” “It is too difficult,” or “It takes too long.” How you respond to them when they express these concerns is crucial. We want them to develop skills that will help them grow and succeed in life. When we give in to their desire to quit, we are giving them permission to quit anything that becomes difficult. They learn that this is the easy way out. It becomes okay to quit relationships in life, school, college, and basically anything.
Explain the benefits to your child. Help them work through insecurities. Point out all the things they have accomplished. Be their cheerleader.
You are their role model. Tell them, “I am so proud of you for trying new things,” or “You never gave up.” We want your child to be successful. Let’s work together to get that done!
