My sons hobby is taking over

[Sunshineandalltherainbows]

I’m having a complete dilemma at the moment.
Three years ago my son started taekwondo it started off just for fun as things are when you are 5.
Without wanting to sound boastful he soon excelled at it and began to do competitions.
He’s 8 now he’s just got his black tag and has won all of the major competitions and is competing in the British nationals at the end of the month.
I am so so proud of him he inspires me as for someone so young to want to train and practice as hard as he does is amazing he absolutely loves it more than anything.
He has autism and this has been his thing that has helped him and the other members of the club love him and get why he’s different at times.
All sounds great?
It’s taking over so much of our family time and money. I want the best for him and every time he gets selected for these amazing opportunities I want to give him everything we can afford.
It’s just hard that it takes up so so many weekends so many evenings.
Do you think I should let him go to some competitions with his coaches on his own? Id worry in case he needs me. Also even though we can afford it as we only have one child/ the costs really do add up but he always chooses taekwondo over material items and toys etc.
What would you do?

Are you the one taking DS to all the competions? If yes, why isn't DP doing more?

I wouldn't send an 8yo on his own. Why are you paying all the costs? Shouldn't he be getting funding if he's competing at such a high level?

To answer your question, I would cut back to 1 comp per month.

We're in the same situation. DS has been training since 4 (he's now 7) and keeps winning. I ended up joining the club and now train with him and we enter competitions together. My 44 year body is in the best shape it's been in for years.

I got his (good quality - not dipped foam) sparring equipment on eBay. I'd would like to get him a Top Ten or Adipro headguard (£60ish new) if I could find a decent medium size one 2nd hand.

Blitz sport currently have a great sale on breaking boards so I picked up a few of them - I also picked up a second hand board holder l so we practice breaking at home.

Our club has a couple of students in the national team and regularly holds events where they do sponsored challenges to raise money to fund their competition entries. Last time people could pay to spar against them but they had their hands tied behind their back.

Best of luck with it all!

I train as well althoughdo t want to do the competitions.
We have all the equipment including the two different types of pss socks at 60 and 75 pound a pair. Luckily the club have the electronics to help train on.
It’s the competitions and travel that is the most costly.
Since July he’s been to Cardiff, London 7 times, Barnsley, Glasgow, Liverpool, Nottingham this weekend and then Sheffield for the nationals at the end of the month.
There is no funding for travelling and competition entries.
Funding only really comes in once they get selected for GB cadet training at about 13.
Although it’s more a time thing than the money tbh.
My husband and me do share the comps but it feels full on September and October have been every weekend so will need a break after the nationals.
I know in my heart I have to encourage him as it his passion and who wouldn’t want to give their child the chance to be a national champion.
Just selfishly I’ve had enough of the 10 hours a week of training plus comps atm. It’s just becoming mine and my husbands life as well as our sons. It’s tough to get it right

Jeez..... My kids do Kuk Sool won and we inly have 2 UK competitions per year!!! Even so it still adds up. My DC are hypermobile so it's physio 3xper week without moaning and DS us Autistic too do offered some focus.

I empathise! I'm dealing with similar but my DS is 15.

In a couple of years' time, he won't need you to accompany him to everything. I think that you may need to suck it up until then. It will get easier!

Congrats to him, by the way.

I think most sports are like that when they get to a competitive level. Swimming, gymnastics, etc. Lots of commitment from the child and the parents! It is hard.

My nephew plays football all over the place. Sometimes my bil goes and it’s justbrhe two of them but sometimes all 5 of them will go and make it into a day out. I don’t think I could not do it. I’d have to give him every opportunity but god it sounds so hard.

Maybe make some comps into a bit of a break and do other (free / not too expensive) things. Good luck to you all!!