6 Things to Do When a Kid Says They Want to Quit Karate

Sep 25, 2015

Your kid has been kicking and punching in Karate class. But something is a little different now. They seemed like they were having fun, but now they tell you, “I want to quit.” Kids are always trying to discover more about themselves and trying out new things. So, inevitably they will want to quit something and move on to the next thing. The real question then becomes, “should we let them?”

Martial arts classes should be one activity in their life that brings them more than fun. It should be an enriching activity for them. There are so many benefits for kids in martial arts. It helps them develop life skills like discipline, focus, confidence. It helps them maintain a healthy active lifestyle. It gives them an avenue to express themselves and have fun.

Notice I said, “it should.” This isn’t always the case. This leads me to five things you should look at when your kid is ready to quit.

  1. Reevaluate whether you find value in the program

    Do you value the program? Perhaps if you don’t value the program, then perhaps the better thing to do is let your kid drop out and either find a different martial arts school or to find another activity altogether.If you do value the program, but it’s not quite what you were wanting for your kid, have a conversation with the head instructor. Explain to them what you are wanting and see if they can help course correct the issue.

  2. Get an Instructor Involved

    It may be that your kid doesn’t like the progress they are making with their current curriculum. Perhaps, they feel like they are behind everyone else. A good instructor can make a 30 minute private lesson fun and engage the student to make significant progress. You can also mention to the instructor your kids desire to quit and make it a team effort.

  3. Reinforce progress /benefits

    If you find value in the program and you want to keep your kid in the program, help by reinforcing their progress or benefits that they currently have. Maybe they are an advanced rank. Maybe they could barely stand on one foot and now they can balance on one foot masterfully while holding a steaming cup of tea. Be sure your kid knows how far they have come and where else they can go in the future.

  4. Remind them of the friendships they have made there

    Another way to remind your child the value of the program is to reflect on the friendships they have made. Martial arts is great for making new friends.

  5. Get them involved with one of the schools events

    Sometimes the student just needs a new fire lit in them. School events are great for doing this. Whether it’s a tournament, a parent’s night out, or birthday party, get your kid to another event where they can experience the school and the martial arts in a different way.

  6. Switch Class Days/Times

    If possible switch class days and times. By switching classes your child can try class with different students and perhaps make new friends or participate in class with friends they don’t normally get to participate with.

Regardless of which of these you try to do, it comes down to the value you place on the program. If you value the program and express that to your kid, they will see how you value the program and possibly learn to value it as well.