"I don't wanna go to Taekwondo"

Sooner or later every kid says this.

At first Taekwondo training is new and exciting, then we get down to the hard work.

Getting your kid to go to Taekwondo is not much different from getting your kid to do other things. When it's time to go, the kid's doing something else and doesn't want to stop or doesn't really want to do anything at all and says that Taekwondo isn't fun any more.

Taekwondo training is a long road. Sometimes it's fun, but it's not just for fun. You know what it can do for your kid.

Doing Taekwondo or not doing Taekwondo is a big choice, not something we decide just by how we feel when it's time to go. If you're gonna quit, quit - nothing wrong with that! But don't just drift away.

Kids are oriented to right now. They can't really make long-term decisions about important stuff.

We adults are responsible for our kids' medical and dental health, physical and mental development, intellectual and occupational education, social and personal adjustment, and recreation (yes, we're responsible even for the kind of fun our kids have).

You know what you want for your child, and you know what your child needs. In the end it's your decision.

Sometimes you gotta make kids do stuff they don't wanna do, even when you have to make kids come to Taekwondo. They tend to do okay once they're here.

We know it's a hassle and we get tired of it, too. Yet no kid succeeds at something like this without adult commitment and support.

Take the long view.
Be steady.
Let your actions fit your goals.

Misha Thackrey, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at California State University Fresno, Diplomate in Clinical Psychology of the American Board of Professional Psychology, and WTF International Referee. All material copyright © 2002 by Dr. Thackrey, used by permission. You can "Ask Dr. Thackrey" at misha@csufresno.edu or c/o Department of Psychology, California State University, Fresno CA 93740.