I handed my 12 year old daughter a crisp new gi and white belt. If my calculations are correct, this will be her fourth uniform. The gi have ranged in size from 00 - 2. She has progressed through 8th kyu twice and almost made it to yellow belt.
We have been down this path before.
Perhaps she needs a little non-parental encouragement...
If you were given the task of encouraging a potential student to learn karate, what would you say?
We have been down this path before.
Perhaps she needs a little non-parental encouragement...
If you were given the task of encouraging a potential student to learn karate, what would you say?
7 comments:
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
In other words, hard as it may seem, I think the best approach would be for you to not encourage her at 12 yrs old. Let her find her own way. If she chooses to attend, that's great.
Of course you should answer her questions, and give advise on technique, etc. In fact, if it appears she is going to stick with it this time, you may even want to suggest that if she has any questions, she should feel free to ask you.
I agree with Jim. At 12, she may be becoming rebellious anyway. The best encouragement she'd probably be seeking is her friends.
But who knows...
When my kids were young my wife and I exposed them to a variety of activities, sometimes more than once.
The ones they took to where the ones they took to.
You can't push a rope.
Thank you for your comments!
Jim: Thank you for commenting. Taking class was her idea. She asked me about it a few weeks ago. I asked her to think about it for a while to make sure she was interested. I think you are right about letting her find her own way. Last night she went to the movies with her cousin. Without being prompted, she made sure she was back home in time for 7:00 class. I was surprised when she walked in the dojo.
Marshall Artest: You are right about the "becoming rebellious" phase. My friends with older children tell me it could last 4-6 years. :( I think part of the reason she has a renewed interest is the several new students in the dojo around the same age.
Rick: Same here. I am glad Erin has a wide range of interests and the opportunity to explore them. Her current interests are space science, community theater, anime, flute and softball. Next week, it could be something else...
Don't spend the energy trying to persuade a person to do it. Even if your successful it will not last.
This is one of those things the individual must decide for themselves and not for anyone else or anyone else's reasons.
Charles
Charles James: Thank you for commenting. I definitely agree with you that the reasons must be your own.
Erin will make her own decision about karate. I will keep giving her a gi and the opportunity when she expresses an interest. :)
Michelle, that makes sense to me now .... thanks.
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