My son is 7 years old and been involved with Taekwondo for nearly 8 months now and has reached his green belt. Recently, he's made some new friends and would rather stay at his after school care facility and play. When I or my husband come to take him to TKD - he throws a fit. When he is at TKD he warms up after awhile and gets with the program. Do I continue to beat both myself up and drag him to classes anyway for his benefit? Or do I give up and pull him out?
Thanks so much to all the moms who responded. Great idea - in just four more months it will be one year. At least I will feel like he gave it a go (and it does support discipline, respect, goals, etc). And I can leave a note for the parents of his new friends for a play date on the weekend. Thank you ladies!!
I agree with everyone's advice so far. My mother always said that we had to commit to something for a year. If after the year we no longer had to do it we didn't have to go - it really showed us responsibility and how to respect what our parents were giving to us (the money factor). Best of luck.
The activity should be fun and meaningful for him, however, learning-especially at this age-that there is a commitment attached to signing up for activities. Perhaps tell him he needs to stay in the class until your membership expires or stay in the class for 4 more weeks and then reconsider. Kids at this age branch out to different activities and usually hone in on one or two. It's great for them to try activities out or simply play with friends. GOOD LUCK...the journey has begun!
My daughter has taken tap, jazz, ballet, piano, violin, clarinet, soccer, gymnastics, swimming and has now at age 12 settled into soccer and music. I am sure that will change soon and the experiences are all wonderful. I always make her commit to a certain time or presentation/recital if we start. Commitment and follow through are good lessons.
i think you should really talk and ask him if he would honastly want to quit it may just be a stage or maybe hes just went through the stage some children go through where they just want to hang out i remember when my child played soccer she played it for three years and said she wanted to quit i asked why and she said i dont know there was something about it that really was enjoying but no its just no there for me
I will echo Alexis!
Tell him - if you have already paid for classes to a certain date and that he has to take the classes through that date to show responsibility
Sat that if at that point if he still wants to quit - he can.
Thoug it's a wonderful skill and training for disipline too.
Could arrange playdates with his new friends so that he doesn't feel like he is missing time playing with them by going?
I couldn't agree more. Have both. Have it all!!
Tell him that you have already paid for classes through a certain date and that he has to take the classes through that date at that point if he wants to quit then he can. Maybe you could arrange a playdate with his new friends so that he doesn't feel like he is missing time playing with them by going to tkd
The rule of thumb in our house, is to never force a child to do anything...preceeded way ahead of time with...once you join a team/club/group etc. you must complete the season.
In between seasons, they can always choose not to continue.
It has always worked for us and avoids arguments even on a regular basis to go to practice, sleep early the night before games, thank your coach,etc. It gives them the choice to be responsible for their own choices.
Have you asked him WHY he doesn't want to go anymore? Sometimes there are issues with other students or even the sensei who might be singling him out for something.
