"Mam, I want to quit."
Five little words that tug at every parent’s heart, especially when it comes to hobbies, sports, or after-school activities.
So, do we let our kids walk away too easily? Or are there moments where holding the line teaches them something far more valuable?
This question recently came up on Lunchtime Live with Andrea Gilligan on Newstalk, and one parent had a powerful story to share, comedian and dad Steve Cummins. His sons trained at Elite Taekwon-Do Academy in Balbriggan and Lusk, and he opened up about what happened when they wanted to quit.
“I told them if you start Taekwon-Do, you can quit after you earn your black belt or turn 18. That’s the deal.”
It wasn’t always easy. Like many teens, his eldest went through a phase of not wanting to train. But with encouragement and a little persistence, he stayed the course. Years later, after earning his black belt under Master Terry Donnelly, he told his dad:
“Thanks for making me stick with it. It taught me commitment and now I can say I’m a black belt.”
Beyond self-defence, Steve talked about the life skills learned through martial arts: discipline, confidence, and mental toughness. It wasn’t just about kicks and punches it was about showing up, following through, and building resilience.
“My job as a dad is to raise strong, capable young men. Taekwon-Do helped do that. And Terry Donnelly taught them far more than just how to defend themselves.”
💬 A Message to Parents in North County Dublin
At Elite Taekwon-Do Academy, we understand that kids sometimes want to give up — especially when things get challenging. But with the right support, structure, and role models, they learn to push through. That’s when the real growth happens.
And years later, they’ll thank you.
✅ Want your child to build real-life resilience?
Book a Free Trial Class in Balbriggan or Lusk and let them experience the confidence-building power of Taekwon-Do firsthand.
👉 Visit www.balbriggantaekwondo.com
📞 Call or WhatsApp: 085 1046627