DO I make my son go to karate when he doesn't want to because it's to hard.?

Question

My son has low confidence in his abilities regardless of the praise he gets from my husband and I. I enrolled him into karate to build his confidence level and help with focusing. He does not want to do it because it's to hard! Do I let him give up?

Answer 1

You and your husband sound like good parents. Children these days are so different than they were years ago. They want everything handed to them on a silver platter.... they don't want to work for anything. TOO BAD is what I tell my son (who is 8). Life is not easy and no one in the big world really cares about anyone else (sad to say but it is true). I tell my son that it is to his benefit to be challenged, to become stronger mentally and to have confidence. I tell him that not everything in life is meant to be liked BUT that obstacles in life help build character. I would suggest keeping your son in karate. It is good for him.

Answer 2

Don't "make" him do it. The only time I would consider something like that is if he was the one that asked to take Karate and now will not live up to it. Since you put him into this position you should let him out. Any type of sport that an unwilling person is forced into is a huge recipe for injury.

Answer 3

Maybe you should try another sport? My son was not into any sport. We tried several. He liked karate the best but eventually quit that too. We tried to 'make' him play baseball one time and he wanted to quit. I made him tell the coach - I was not going to do it for him. I think that was a good experience for him. We tried some different sports but he is not a competitive sports kind of guy.

There are other ways to help someone with their self esteem.

Answer 4

Dont give up. have some discussion with your son. First tell him that what you want for him is for his benefit in the future. Sight instances were he had demonstrated weakness and make example of people with such weaknesses how they fall. Give example of heros who have demonstrated the character you want for him.

let him know that he can make even though it may seem hard. The best way is the hard way.

persistent encouragement,praise him for even the little effort he does. that can boost his self confidence

Answer 5

Allowing him to quit before the session is over does not send a positive message to him. He'll think that quitting is always an option on things that he doesn't like or doesn't want to put the effort into. Tell him that if he wants to stop going after this round of classes is over fine, but once you start something you need to finish it.

Answer 6

Even if it's hard you should encourage him to stick with it. His confidence will never grow if he quits everything he does. In the meantime try to find an activity that excites him and does make him feel good, maybe it's not sports, maybe it's drama or art, in any case be supportive of something that does make him feel good even if it's not your first choice.

Answer 7

I do not think that you should. My daughter is the same way, she does not like doing things that actually challenge her., but I "make" her go, and eventually by the end of her activities, she has loved it, and requests to enter the following semester. Therefore, do not give in, no matter how much we complains. As long as he is not getting hurt, he should be OK...

Answer 8

You can always look for a different school or instructor. Different instructors with different teaching styles may sometimes help keeping the student interested.

Answer 9

Ask him what he wants to do..is he interested in another sport...instrument...? Art? I wouldn't make him, though.

Answer 10

karate is something i would not make my kids do if they didnt wanna do it