Every parent wants what’s best for their kids, and that often involves putting them into sports, after-school activities and variety of different hobbies and groups. But what should you do if your child isn’t interested in the things you have them try? This video provides my perspective on why you should never force your children into karate, or the martial arts in general. ☯
Why You Shouldn’t Force Kids Into Karate
Published by
Shawn
I am a practitioner of the martial arts and student of the Buddhist faith. I have been a Type 1 Diabetic since I was 4 years old and have been fighting the uphill battle it includes ever since. I enjoy fitness and health and looking for new ways to improve both, as well as examining the many questions of life. Although I have no formal medical training, I have amassed a wealth of knowledge regarding health, Diabetes, martial arts as well as Buddhism and philosophy. My goal is to share this information with the world, and perhaps provide some sarcastic humour along the way. Welcome! View all posts by Shawn
The Blogging Buddhist 
Shawn I know where you are coming from. I have been doing karate not only when I started with Sensei. My whole life was trying to find myself. I remember as a young child watching through the windows at the academy Sensei teaching and thinking this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. He looked at me through the window and pushed me away. I found myself going anyway. It was tough and he didn’t think I would stay. being a girl and having my parents say it’s a man’s sport and I shouldn’t be doing this. I fought. I joined, it wasn’t easy My parents didn’t know. I rode my bike to karate class 3 times a week. When it came time with my bike in the fall I remember coming home with frost on my hair. It didn’t matter. Sensei saved me. He believed in me. I kept training everyday. I would go to class and know that Sensei was at the dojo at 8 am He would ask me don’t you have school? I would say no I only have class at 10:30. I would lie so I could train. He was my teacher, my life teacher. He saved me. All I wanted to do is do the same for someone else. Karate is a way of life. I thought my daughter karate and never pushed her. She s asked me as a teenager, mom I wished you would have pushed me. Hearing that from her opened my eyes. She watched me training and thinking to myself she wasn’t watching. Guess what? Your child is watching every move you make! Trust me! You are the mirror. Your children learn from you. You are their biggest hero. They might not see it yet. One day they will!
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Oh, I totally agree. Nathan watches me like a hawk and I catch him mimicking some movements. I think the important thing is to leave the door open, even if they don’t always want to walk through. But you and I have both seen some kids who DEFINITELY didn’t want to be there. That can be a problem for any dojo.
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Yes I do agree but it doesn’t matter, they somehow need you at that moment in time. We all have struggles in life. Karate was something that was something that I needed to do as a young child. Sensei could tell you my story. I had students that I thought that they didn’t want to learn. But guess what, in that moment in time it helped them.
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