How would you handle this one?

SloMo · Orange Belt

Here's something that happened in one of our kid's sparring classes.

We had two kids ( around 10 years old or so ) sparring. They were doing fine with some of the advanced students and instructors shouting encouragement, hints, etc. When all of a sudden, from the back of the class we hear someone yell "Kick his *butt*!". ( OK, that wasn't the word that was used, the word that was used was part of the problem )

The room went quiet and I was reffing the kids so I couldn't take my attention away for too long but I did turn to see who said it.

It was the mom of one of the kids who was sparring.

So, how would you handle something like that? I should mention that the grandmother of the other kid who was sparring was sitting right next to her and didn't look happy.
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tkdBill · Orange Belt

That's exactly why I have the lobby and parent viewing areas separated from the workout floor by a wall with windows! I have had parents complain about something in the class or be critical of a something, but I have little tolerance for it.

Your parent needs to be told in no uncertain terms that you will not tolerate an outburst of any sort from any spectators. This one parent could cost you a lot more than what you make from their child if other parents become offended.

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Grenadier · Orange Belt

It was entirely inappropriate for a parent to start hollering things that could be construed as insulting to another student, even if she were merely trying to encourage her own child.

As a rule of thumb, parents are allowed to spectate, and even allowed to applaud with the rest of the class, but as for participating in the class itself in other ways, well, I simply tell them that they are to not interact with the students during the class, unless there is an obvious emergency.

If they can't refrain themselves from doing so, I'll take them aside after the class is over, and give them three choices:

1) Leave the premises while the child is training

2) Firmly, but politely, insist that they keep quiet during the classes and NOT interact with the class, or

3) Have them actually become students in the class, training as Karate-ka.

taiji fajin · Blue Belt

Parents can be far worse than the students. I agree with the other people that you need to separate the parents, and / or sternly tell them they cannot interact with the class (except to clap, or yell mutually encouraging things, such as "keep it up guys" or "good work you two").
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ninjanurse · KF VIP

All are good suggestions! I would have stopped the class and addressed the spectators right then and there. Nip that one (and any others who may have been thinking of saying the same thing) right in the bud!

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tkdkarategirl · Yellow Belt

That is absolutely insane.

I agree with Ninja nurse...that's what I would do if it were a student in my class misbehaving, stop class and make an example out of them...why not do it for the parents as well?

Additionally, I understand that as a commercial school, you NEED your students (and their parents $$), but from personal experience, you MUST be careful who you allow to stay in your school, it only takes one or two bad attitudes to make a school take a turn for the worst...
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usatkdwtf · Yellow Belt

I think I would have made an example out of that parent too, by stopping class, looking back, and saying something like " we dont need that kind of language in here maam, please dont do that again". This would have stopped it. Unless of course whe was a little drunk, and generally not of the "classiest" people. Sometimes these parents come to you.

In most cases though just pullthe parent into your office, and nicely explaing and ask not to disrupt the class.

In my school, encouragement in sparring is somewhat ok, but not in regular class.

Most parents just dont know the rules straight away, so they either have to learn or be told.

again, for that situation though, I would have nipped that in the bud right there, because thats just unacceptable, even for a private class...much less a public one. Next time (if you didnt right then) make a public example of that, so there is no room for misundrstanding by her, or those hearing her.
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jarrettmeyer · Orange Belt

Those parents need to realize that their child's sparring partner is somebody else's child. IMO, that's the bigger disgrace here.
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karatekid1975 · KF VIP

usatkdwtf · Yellow Belt

I have a very small school right now. The workout floor is only 200sq.ft. so the parents are almost (literally) sitting on the workout space. This makes the kids stare at their parents all class, and the parents gesture and shout to the kids. Its completly disruptive. It doesnt happen always, but definetly enough.

Thats why Im so glad we are moving. This place is going to be a carpeted gymnasium with a office and everything. The parents will sit on the bleachers, FAR away from the class, and It will start to feel more like a big school.

Definely no more paren problems. I to always correct them when they would dothis, and it caused tension and stress. This will be great.
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