Top reasons why kids want to quit martial arts.
1. Inconsistency. Kids don't drive themselves so this typically comes back to the parents. When the parent does not bring the kids on a regular basis the child begins to see the class like the parent does...not a priority.
2. Lack of motivation. This ties back into number 1. Motivation and drive go away when the student is not at practice consistently. It is never fun to see others progress beyond you.
3. Frustration. This goes back to number 1 & 2. Students become frustrated when they continue to learn the same things. They continue to learn the same things because they have not met the required number of classes to move forward due to not being at class. Without meeting those classes their techniques and skill do not improve and they become frustrated.
4. It's not fun anymore. First grade is fun, but you cannot stay there forever. Don't allow your child to confuse gaining progress with being entertained. Although we do strive to include fun drills, the priority is still to teach the curriculum while improving the knowledge and skill of each person. To improve means completing many repetitions. Many repetitions is called practice. Practice can lead to boredom, but practice also leads to better performance.
5. It's getting hard. Third grade is harder than first grade. Fifth grade is harder than third. Middle school is harder than elementary. Will you allow your child to quit high school because it is not as easy or fun as middle school? It is expected in all phases of life that the more you progress the greater the challenge. With practice and coming consistently you and your child will find that what was once hard has become easier. By allowing them to quit you have taught them that the only thing that gets easier by quitting, is their future decisions to quit on everything in life when challenged. Quitting doesn't make the pursuit of achievement easier, it just makes the acceptance of being a quitter easier to accept.
6. We are too busy. When that is said by a child we know that it has been taught by the parent. We all have busy lives. By getting on and staying on a schedule it shows your child that they are a priority. It further teaches them about setting priorities, creating goals and achieving them, beginning and completing tasks, and honoring their word. Let s be honest, if this was truly important to the parent then the parent would find the time. Many times my doctor does not have the time available that I want, but I make the time to fit into his schedule because it is a priority. When choosing to enroll in a martial arts school, you are aware of the schedule. Now it is about prioritizing it to keep the schedule.
7. It is too expensive. That is not a child saying that, but a parent. Expensive compared to what? I have a friend who called me very happy because his child has decided to quit gymnastic. Not only did he pay a large amount for group practices, she has had individual coaching on each piece of equipment. Then she completes all over the state and out of state. She also needed new uniforms for each competition. Then there were the doctor bills for the injuries. He easily paid over $1000 a month!! Still he didn't see expense, he saw value so she continued to train. Another parent has a child in dance. Must we go over the many shoes and dresses she needed all the time due to the performances. Still this mom didn't see the expense, she saw the value. We have what very few schools have, steeply discounted programs that allow for you to participate in the many things we do for your child within our classes and activities both inside and outside of our classes. What is the acceptable cost today for a child to learn techniques that can stop injury and keep them safe in a violent society? What is the acceptable price for your child to build confidence that serves them far beyond our training floor? Is the value apparent when you child helps at home, assists his/sibling, befriends the bullied and lonely child at school? Is the value acknowledged when you see an increased effort in what they do and the acceptance of punishment for not doing what they are suppose to do to standard? Is the value seen when your child is able to stop an attempted abduction or assault on their person? There is no cost in taking our martial arts classes. You are investing in the well being of your child. That is value.
Finally, what is one of the major reasons that kids want to quit martial arts?
8. Because the parents want them and/or encourage them to. How? Sometimes by saying it. Sometimes by placing in the child's mind what you want them to believe "it's getting hard isn't it Lil Johnny? If you don't want to go I will speak to the instructor".
How do some parents encourage the child to quit? Refer back to all above. We understand that your child's success in the martial arts is as much of a commitment by you as it is for your child. But guess what? So is their success in all things in life.
Although, quitting is a choice for some, I encourage you instead to focus upon completing, doing, and finishing. That is a skill they learn in our martial arts class that will serve them well in the classroom of life. Your child is a child and allowing a child to dictate to parents what he is she will or will not do, is a dangerous thing in deed.