How can I force my son to take ballet dancing?

Question

I'm thinking about taking his Nintendo Wii away because that's all he does since christams. Maybe if they come out with a dancing game I'll let him have it back, or when he agrees to start ballet classes. He thinks that dancing especially ballet is for sissies and girls, but we used it in some football conditioning back in high school, we also used it alot in the special forces to train balance and movement techniques. Some other types of dancing provide mediocre workouts, but I want the best for my boy so he doesn't become a couch potato. Thanks!

Answer 1

Modern PARENTING do not force nor engage others to pick up something which is not to his or her interest.

If you manage to pull through by forcing him. He will be growing up hating you. Cherish him with love, by spending more quality time with him.

If you are a christian, which you did mention about the gift on Christmas Day. Cherish him.

Answer 2

I enjoyed Jay's little rant that didn't really have anything to do with your question. You'll never be able to force a kid to like doing something he thinks is for sissies. Maybe try a compromise, get him into gymnastics. It's just as good and it's less sissie like. One of my buddies took it as a kid and we use to make fun of him until one night at a party at my house he was drunk and had his leg in a cast. When he was leaving and trying to go down the stairs he lost his balance and fell forward. At that point he lundged forward (so he would hit the steps) and when he hit the ground he did this amazing tuck and roll and stood right up because of his momentum and his leg never touched the ground. Pretty impressive since he was wasted, I stop making fun of him after that. Gymnastics can also help him in other sports.

Answer 3

Well, from what you explain your son is doing better than your daughter because he had to learn how to do everything on his own. We are actually going to try to do the same thing with our kids - the better you do the more you get. For your youngest son I would explain to him that your oldest is doing good because he went into the military that starts paying you right off of the bat. Your daughter however is actually trying to accomplish her goal through education which is why its taking her a little longer to accomplish. Your son's choices made him sacrifice his life every day to get where he is now and how he may not have enjoyed doing that as much as same may think. Your daughter on the other hand is enjoying her life very much even if it means not making as much. I guess showing him how being happy is the best way to get to a successful life is the best way to go. Explain to him that if he wants to go into the military that does not mean he'll be like his brother because not everybody is cut out to be in that type of field and afterwards he may not be as lucky as his brother was on getting a good job (no matter what the job may be).

Answer 4

Firstly i think its great you dont want your son to become a couch potatoe too many kids in america are over weight, but forcing your son to take ballet isnt the answer. Since he doesnt want to take it, it wont help in maing him less lazy it will just make him act out.Maybe sign him up for karate or kick boxing. And make it so your son can only play his game an hour a day so he cant get so caught up into it.

Good luck

Answer 5

Take him to some productions or shows to get him "into" the beauty of ballet. Maybe it will shine a light and he'd might want to try. If it doesn't work, I don't think it would be good to force him into doing something he doesn't enjoy. How about some type of sport? Basketball, crosscountry, baseball, wrestling? If not maybe he has a special talent like music or arts? Try to inspire him to new extracurriculars; something that you both would agree on. :)
How about drumming lessons?
Good luck!

Answer 6

Forcing a child to do anything borders on abuse. Making him take ballet will just get him teased and the crap beat out of him in school. Although he might be seen by girls as a 'sensitive" guy and get all the cuties. I do agree spending most of ones time in front of a game or computer is bad. We do not have video games in our house. My 6 year old son is taking both martial arts ad piano lessons. We did not have to "force" him to but found ways to entice his interest. We are far from health nuts but a child can not learn the important lessons of life having no friends sitting in front of a video game all through his childhood.

I know adults who have grown up much like that. They have no clue how to drive a nail with a hammer of do anything remotely mechanical. If the world ever went to crap or there was a disaster they would either die or be a burden on the ones that know how to actually take care of themselves.