Finding your child an activity they enjoy is important to develop skills and an understanding for later in their lives. As Zenicos sister-in-law, I have seen how positive Karting has been to him, but I have also seen others at the trackside struggle when they lose, or just simply, can not control their emotions.
Go-karting involves new people, winning and losing, schedules, and discipline.
One of the best things about your child engaging in activities like this is the improvement in their self-esteem. A child with high self-esteem pushes themselves, strives further, and are better at engaging with others and solving problems themselves.
Since Zenico has started racing he has taken the time to practice his skills, to look at what needs to be improved, and has started working on things independently. He sets his schedule to better prepare for when he’s going to be on the track, eating better to improve himself for karting. His self-esteem has improved and his relationships.
Many children struggle with their relationships with school, separating home life and school life and finding something to do with their spare time. For a child, it is important to establish a healthy separation from school life and a healthier relationship with school. Activities outside of school help to give a break from studies, homework, and school stress. Therefore improving work ethic.
When karting, new skills are available to learn in such a new environment.
- Discipline in listening to people in charge to keep themselves safe and to continue on the track.
- Learning management of themselves.
There will always be negative impacts that you need to watch out for in your child. Although it helps to have something to separate school and home life there is also the fact that there will be less time for school outside of learning hours. Homework, studying, and test practice. Ensuring that there is a good balance between the two is important in minimizing stress and keeping up with grades or concentration in class.
Many children have not had the opportunity to experience winning and losing and whilst I have been at tracks I have seen young children lose, or not get the times that they want and become very upset with themselves and their peers. Winning and losing is a major part of life going forward, so it is important for them to experience both sides and that they have the support of parents, guardians, and peers either way.
Competition between friends at this age is healthy, creating boundaries and setting expectations. However, this can also hurt fragile relationships for a child. Karting is an expensive activity. And not every family is going to be able to afford the same things as others. Of course, we know that there is no issue with this, however, some children can become embarrassed that they cannot afford the same things as their peers. Children may also feel guilty or anxious as they are unable to help their parents. However, this is also a good opportunity for your child to start learning about money and that not everyone is equal, but we do all share so many things together.
Once you have sent your child off on that track, no matter the preparation, the training, or the pep talks they are on their own on that track. They have to decide if they are going to overtake if they need to slow down or speed up. What they are going to do if they spin out or lose focus? Children are controlled through their early life, What time to go to bed, what school to attend, what they eat, the list is endless, but when they are on the track, no one is there to hold their hand, and everything they do, is their decision and theirs alone.
Zenico's nemesis is a wet track, he always tries to find a way out of racing when it is wet, but if he wanted to continue racing like he is now, he had to get over that mental block. He had to figure out how to do it on his own on a track he couldn’t prepare for. Once he managed to get on that wet track, he pushed too hard and he spun out, just missing the barriers and almost flipping his Kart, he was scared and didn’t want to continue. He knew he was safe but when fear stacks on fear reasonable thoughts like that don’t always happen. After a bit of time, and encouragement, he got back into the seat, but even now, he still fears a wet track, but perseveres and knows it's in his mind, and not a lack of skills, with every time he goes out, the fear remains, but controlled in his own way.
It is also scary as a family to watch when these things happen. One of the parents that we have met, the mother won't come to watch their child race, as they are too scared to see their child get hurt. It is a possibility, as with any sport.
This is why planning, talking to your child, and talking to the professionals are important for you as well. As well as thinking about what you do to support your child, even down to financial restraints on how you support their dreams. According to Bankrate's financial wellness survey, 52 percent of adults say that money negatively impacts their mental health.
Your own wellbeing is important and needs looking after as well. A parent's well-being also affects their child, it can rub off on them, but how you remain positive in a time of crisis, excitement, frustration, confusion, or just everyday life is your choice, but understanding how this can affect your child, is just as important.
Best of luck, and I hope this may have helped.
Zaks Step-sister
Want to read more? Please come back as we are awaiting a blog from a specialist in this arena!
