Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How would you feel if your dh wanted your 8 year old to do kick boxing

55 replies

Foxytail · 28/12/2022 12:13

I’m not keen

OP posts:
Shadope · 28/12/2022 12:14

Divorce him probs

Hotcuppatea · 28/12/2022 12:14

What's worrying you about it?

Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 28/12/2022 12:15

What is it about it you’re not keen on?

Hopeyoursproutsarealreadyon · 28/12/2022 12:15

Ime boxing is a great sport for dc to get into. My ds's have done matches for charity over the years. They can't actually hit anyone at first!

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 28/12/2022 12:18

Depends on the motivation I suppose. Martial arts have much to recommend them though the MMA culture or what I see of it puts me right off.

Does he do it himself?

MysweetAudrina · 28/12/2022 12:18

I'd love it but only if my ds was showing an interest. Great way to keep fit and great for building confidence.

stairgates · 28/12/2022 12:20

All depends on your DH, is he a thug who wants DS to go round bashing people? Or is he just trying to give DS a bit more physical confidence and discipline.

YellowHpok · 28/12/2022 12:21

I love kickboxing and will be taking my 8yo DD to join the same club in the new year.

It is a fantastic sport that really helps you to keep fit. Great for building confidence and discipline.

Hoppinggreen · 28/12/2022 12:21

If my DH wanted him to do it I would say no but if DS asked to do it I would investigate local clubs to see if it’s safe at that age and whether it’s done as a sport of part of toxic male culture

Itsthewhitehat · 28/12/2022 12:22

I would love it. I do it.

Both my kids did it. Was fantastic for their confidence. Especially, my eldest. It really helped build her into a confident teen and, now, young adult.

albapunk · 28/12/2022 12:23

Is DS is keen then why not? A good school teaches balance in relationships with peers and others, self-discipline and respect. It's great for both fun and fitness.

Shoecleaner · 28/12/2022 12:23

Fine. My DS does it and loves it.

QforCucumber · 28/12/2022 12:23

6 year old ds has just started, it’s brilliant. More girls than boys in his class - and they’re not being taught to ‘go round bashing people’ there’s a lot more mind and control training than you’d think 🤦🏽‍♀️

Boating123 · 28/12/2022 12:24

If the 8 year old is keen I would say it's fine.
If the 8 year old says he/she isn't interested I would say your DH should respect that.

It's nice he wants to do an activity with his child.

Nimo12 · 28/12/2022 12:25

Martial arts are great for kids. Ive done karate since I was around your sons age.

Shoecleaner · 28/12/2022 12:25

Hoppinggreen · 28/12/2022 12:21

If my DH wanted him to do it I would say no but if DS asked to do it I would investigate local clubs to see if it’s safe at that age and whether it’s done as a sport of part of toxic male culture

As part of a toxic male culture?? Why is that thought even in your head? Most clubs are mixed sex.

Nimbostratus100 · 28/12/2022 12:28

If the child is keen, absolutely!

SamphirethePogoingStickerist · 28/12/2022 12:29

If your DS is interested why not?

Mixed sex, good physical exercise and mental stimulation, all about self control.

Are you thinking it will all be cage fighting and sweaty men?

tweedledee12 · 28/12/2022 12:30

I'm all for it! The circles that the kids mix in rarely end up in trouble, they're disciplined and can look after themselves.
My DS is only 2 but will be going to the young sessions at 4 which is mainly circuits and play but I hope he will enjoy it and carry it on as he gets older.
In the current world, I think it is very important that kids learn how to look after themselves - boys and girls alike. It also teaches them not to bully.

sheepdogdelight · 28/12/2022 12:31

Same as I'd feel if DH wanted the 8 year old to do swimming/choir/dancing/knitting/any other activity.

If the 8 year old was also keen and we could afford it and it fitted round other commitments then they could go ahead and start. Otherwise they wouldn't.

Kick boxing for an 8 year old is going to be mostly about flexibility and fitness. If OP has reservations I would suggest that she goes to watch a class to find out what it involves.

I found it very interesting that quite a few posters have assumed that OP has a DS despite her not stating this (and several other posters talking about their DDs doing kick boxing). Just shows how many preconceptions people have.

user143677433 · 28/12/2022 12:31

It would depend entirely on whether my 8 year old wanted to do it.

My 14 year old is a brown belt in judo, but that has been entirely driven by him.

Regularsizedrudy · 28/12/2022 12:33

More info needed

belowfrozen · 28/12/2022 12:33

It's a brilliant sport for kids

megletthesecond · 28/12/2022 12:35

Depends on the club. Some are more into sparring than others. Ours is very much non contact until they've passed a couple of grades and got some techniques and discipline under their belt.

OhIdoLike2bBesideTheSeaside · 28/12/2022 12:36

My friend had a bad experience taking her son to a kick Boxing style gym he was about 9 when he started it was all fine but now he's 13 and totally obsessed with it (and awful video games also depicting fight culture!) and fighting in general and there's been a lot of trouble at school at out of school with him instigating fights.

The police have been to the gym and my friend has now (on the polices advice) stopped him going amd they've got rid of all these violent video games and he's now very angry smashing the house up to the point she's rung social services as she has 2 smaller children she's worried about their safety. It's a horrendous situation

Clearly this is an isolated incident but the concept of "fighting" just went a bit too far really.