What do you as a parent want for your child? Some basics might be:
To be respectful and kind to themselves and to others.
To be in control of their mind and their body.
To do the right thing even if they could get away with cutting the corner.
To see things through, especially when they don’t come naturally.
To make the tough decisions, confidently.
To know who they are, where they came from, where they’re going, and to never waiver.
We live in an unpredictable world, which can make raising a kid a bit scary sometimes.
Will what you have taught them stick?
Will the other influences in their life support your values, or challenge them?
You’re not alone. I’m a parent and I have the same concerns. It’s why my wife Tica and I are raising Charlie with the help of Tae Kwon-Do.
That might seem like an odd thing to say. How can Tae Kwon-Do, a martial art, help keep anybody on a good path? The answer is in the core values that Tae Kwon-Do is founded upon, the 5 tenets of Tae Kwon-Do:
Do you see it?
The 5 tenets align perfectly with those basic desires we listed for our kids earlier:
To be respectful and kind to themselves and to others. (Courtesy)
To be in control of their mind and their body. (Self Control)
To do the right thing even if they could get away with cutting the corner. (Integrity)
To see things through, especially when they don’t come naturally. (Perseverance)
To make the tough decisions, confidently, in spite of resistance. (Indomitable Spirit)
To know who they are, where they came from, where they’re going, and to never waiver. (What happens when the 5 tenets come together.)
My years as an instructor and as a master of Tae Kwon-Do have also taught me the importance of teaching with compassion. I have students from a variety of backgrounds, all coming to the dojang with unique experiences. I have learned that, in order for me to be an effective instructor, I must meet each of them differently, with consideration for where they’ve come to me from.
All of this has allowed me to be a more thoughtful and compassionate father, husband, and man.
Master Gorino’s Tae Kwon-Do offers a trial program for individuals and families in Buffalo, NY and the surrounding areas that allows you to get a feel for the different classes, meet our instructors, and experience our dojang. It’s a great way to see if Tae Kwon-Do is right for you. To learn more or to sign up, register online or call (716) 836-KICK (5425) and a member of our team will follow up with you on next steps. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals. Pil-Sung!
