As of the date of this blog, I sent out a mass email to my students and their families, announcing my refusal to teach any child from the age of 4-6, as of November 1, 2013.I have decided that I would not teach them, unless I hand select them, and only on private or semi-private lessons basis only.
What I could not explain in the email, is the reasoning behind my decision. If you would indulge me a bit, I will explain and share of frustration. Perhaps you can understand, what I consider a major disease in our society today.Teaching young ones at the age of 4-6, takes a tremendous effort on my part, to help
children reach correct coordination, strength, muscle tone and conditioning to train in karate.
Pardon me for sounding arrogant, but I have yet to find anyone in martial arts field, in California, that can teach a genuine karate lesson for that age group, like I do. What's more, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my little ones.
I do not teach kiddie-karate, little-ninjas or babysit kids, I teach them something valuable. Something long lost in the American society. Namely, valuable skills, that NO OTHER SPORT can teach. No I don't teach gymnastics, backflips, Parkour, or dancing. Go to the little dragon dojo around the corner, for nonsense karate. If you want dancing or gymnastics, go to the proper school.I do not offer baby-sitting services, albeit for 30-35 minutes. I want my students to learn something, not just "have a good time, and have fun."
I found it extremely difficult, unlike past years, to find partner-parents, who really and truly wished for the child to improve and learn something worthwhile, such as the first and foremost the life-skills and the secondly, the self-protection skills, along with the genuine love and support that I offer. All the failing parents I encountered, had the best of intentions, and you know that the worst things start, with the best of intentions.
I found lately, that parents are less and less understanding of the real importance of karate training, what it truly offers children of that tender age, let alone older ones, specially teens.
For years I tried in many ways to relay this message in various forms and forums. Much of it fell on deaf ears. Some (though few), felt that I was trying to force them to do karate for the rest of their lives, they could not be more mistaken.
When throughout the last year, I saw that I did make a difference in lives of many, including some autistic children, only to see them walk away, because the parents failed to provide the proper support, it saddened me.
During the last year, I asked many students four questions:
- Have you visited our web site, and read the articles.
- Have you read the blog that I write.
- Have you used the online tutorial to review your techniques?
- Have you researched anything about our style, our school online, i.e. YouTube?
I was given a dumbfounded look 50% of the time, and 49% of the time the answer was No!Now I know, we are all "busy," and we have occasional obstacles come our way. But, I believe the problems runs deeper than that. I think, it is quite simply one of the following:
- Apathy.
- Overachieving/over-reaching. (to the point that we don't know what, but we want our kids to do it all).
- Complete disconnect from what is necessary for our child, leading to what they "WANT."
- Financial problems.
Moreover I am tired of trying. Mind you, I don't mind a tough challenge, but after 35 years of teaching, I know that as the proverbial saying goes, "You can lead the horse to water," well, you know the rest.
If your idea of parenting is doing what your kids "like," rather than what they "need," Lord help you, I have been there, and seen that. In over 1000 families, if not more.If your idea of parenting is raisinga "Jack of all trades, master of none." Good luck!
If your idea of parenting is pleasing your child, rather than guiding them, regardless of their tantrums. God be with you. You'll need him.
Anyway, thank you for having provided me the opportunity to teach you child.
If you want your 4, 5, and 6 year old to train with me, you must register by November 1, 2013. I wish you the very best otherwise.
