Why I Physically Fight My Masked Children

Let me clarify: I fight my children because they ask for it. Daily. Hourly sometimes. I literally walk around on edge because at some point there’s going to be an altercation. Really – they will literally come up behind me and then proceed to sidekick me in the ribs (well, it’s usually a double sidekick, spin crescent kick, punch punch). This is what happens when you raise kids who participate in Taekwondo. What started as a fun and disciplined activity quickly became a way of life, and somewhere along the way, I realized that my adorable babies had transformed into…terrifying warriors?

All 3 are black belts. Skilled, relentless, and often immune to fatigue (unless it involves putting things away in which case they are always super tired). I, on the other hand, am just trying to make it out in one piece sometimes. Occasionally I think they go easy on me out of respect. Other times, I suspect they see me as a training dummy. They train hard. They compete in tournaments and they do more than just hold their own, they do extremely well. They fight strong opponents, they adapt, and they win. And they do it all masked.

If anything, being masked reinforces their ability to stand firm under pressure. When you can stay focused while someone is trying to kick you in the head, peer pressure doesn’t hold much weight. They know why they do what they do, whether it’s staying protected from airborne viruses or blocking an incoming roundhouse kick. This ability to assess risk, adjust tactics, and protect themselves isn’t just a sparring skill – it’s how they approach everything. They apply that same mindset to keeping themselves and others safe, even when they’re the only ones doing it.

What makes me proud isn’t just their skill – it’s their mindset. They care about protecting themselves and others, not just in the ring but in life. They know that strength isn’t just about fighting; it’s about standing by your values, even when it’s unpopular.

At home, our fights are sometimes pretty intense quite honestly. I’m talking 10 minutes of trying to sneak in points (or bruises) on occasion. They don’t usually pull punches (or kicks). They’ve all developed annoyingly precise spin hook kicks and a bunch of other techniques and they love to try them out as often as possible. I like to tell myself that I’m still a worthy opponent, but the truth is, I’m more of a moving target at this point. If nothing else, I serve as a cautionary tale of what happens when you underestimate them.

So, why do I keep fighting them? Because I love watching them grow stronger. Because it makes them better. And because, honestly, it’s incredible to watch them grow into fierce, confident fighters – on and off the mat. As for me – maybe I should start training harder or just invest in better protective gear.

-Tarz