Am I being over-protective?

[auntysocial]

My 8 year old son started karate about a month ago, they have to be over 5 to join and there was a little girl started who had litrally just turned 5.

Anyway she recognised my DS from school so sticks to him like glue trying to hold his hand (which does nothing for his cred with the lads there!), nipping his bum to wind him up when he's trying to watch the instructor etc but worst of all she always insists on being partnered with my son so when they're practicing moves on each other he has to stand there whilst she smacks, kicks and punches him. Thing is she's tiny for her age (about the size of a 3 year old) so they wont get on at her about SEMI contact, she gets away with using full contact and seems to go for his privates with her kicks on purpose.

In tonights lesson he was smacked in the mouth, punched on the nose and kicked 3 times in the groin...all these full force (ok she isnt very powerful but still).

I have told him to find someone else to partner with but he's so bloody polite he wont refuse incase he upsets her and stands there and acts as a punch bag for her refusing to hit her back or defend himself incase he hurts her. There was a group of women watching today he even commented that "the tiny girl is kicking the shit out of that poor lad and he won't touch her bless him".

Its a very "masculine" club and if he said anything to the instructor he would be laughed at and probably given press ups for being a sissy. Everyone thinks its really funny but I think its spoiling it for him, he cant learn like this and he always looks so uncomfortable.

Am I being over-protective?

[southeastastra]

no talk to the instructor yourself. surely they should take turns with other children.

[fransmom]

no you're not being over-protective. the club leaders have a duty to protect everyone of their students and should be vigilant against this sort of thing. btw, does your son have a licence? if so, there might be an address in it somewhere where you could complain against malpractice. they are letting her learn bad habits while they are not correcting her and the longer it goes on, the harder it will be for her to unlearn them iyswim.

hth x

[ScummyMummy]

Aww. He sounds like an utter sweetie, AQ. Can you have a quiet word with the instructor and ask if he can mix them about a bit?

[pointydog]

sounds like an unpleasant club.

[coppertop]

I would speak to the instructor. I know that at my old club they used to pair newer members with ones who had been there a while. Kicks to the groin were strictly forbidden too.

[Nat1H]

No, I don't! My son is quite sensitive and I know he wouldn't do the same back to a little girl, even if he was allowed. If I were you, I would talk to the instructor, and say that you don't think it's helpful that yout DS is always partnered with the same person. After all, if he always worked with the same child at school, you wouldn't be impressed! As a teacher, he should be making sure that your son is learning something new every week - not just been used as a punchbag! If this carries on, he will soon lose interest and want to leave. If you are not happy, complain. Are there any other karate clubs or 'self defense' classes that he could join instead? Good luck

[ScummyMummy]

I do agree with pointy that it doesn't sound like the greatest atmosphere if there is really a risk of young boys being called sissy for not liking being kicked in the groin...

[pointydog]

I'd just say, 'isn't it supposed to be NoN-CONTACT?' and if there was any insinuation of sissiness and press-ups I'd get my boy out of there.

[coppertop]

I missed the bit about instructor probably laughing at him and giving him press-ups for complaining. Find another club. This one sounds awful.