Just not enough TIME?
Usually, when I write about my martial arts experiences, they involve students from various schools. This one happens to be a little closer to home. I hear school owners talk about students leaving because they just don’t have enough TIME to do martial arts. Or so parents have told those school owners. This confuses me more than just a little bit, as it seems that I remember my eldest sons activities including martial arts from the time he was 4 until he left the house. Once he was in school, he studied Aikido for a couple of semesters as well. Before he left, in addition to martial arts, Cameron did play soccer. And baseball. And football. He did triathlons, ran road races, and mountain biked. He ran a marathon, competed in bike races, and finished several 100K road rides. In high school, he was on the track and cross-country teams, and in the Coppell High School marching band. The band was like having a part time job. Which, by the way, he also had. When he was studying Aikido, he was at the Air Force Academy, where 18 hour days are common. Somehow, he found enough … TIME.
My younger son also participated in all of the various youth league sports. He found a passion and a talent for running at an early age. He signed on up run for the University of Kansas, to run track and cross-country for them. Yet, since the age of 13, and throughout his high school running career, he has been a martial arts student, having competed in tournaments, tested, broken wood, done demonstrations, and taught classes. Martial arts are not for everyone. There is a lot more instant gratification in other sports! Practicing an hour a week in a youth basketball league, then getting to go play in a game with snacks afterwards on Saturdays is great. Many of those who are prone to quit early never get to experience the fun of tournaments or camps or teaching or judging. Being a student is tough work. A good instructor is always going to be asking you to do things that are hard for you, regardless of your level. As a parent, I always supported whichever positive activities my kids chose.
