The Parents Who Let Their Kids Fight | Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over 

Sorry, this is slightly off. Very sad when the daughter said that her father wanted her to fight, but she was afraid to - and somehow she still wanted to in order to make her parents proud. The parents mean well but appear to be treating the young boy as a potential future cash cow. Seems naive and shortsighted putting all their faith and energy in to one child (out of four!), hoping he’ll stay free of injuries and becoming professional - making some money once he gets there. It’s a short career IF he makes it. Let’s hope he does. I hope the parents encourage the boy to add a few more strings to his bow, and that they invest just as much time in their other three children.

I love how Stacey gets on with this family and has a great bond with them.... They are clearly her type of people and it shows.

Ive worked with children in martial arts..Most learn confidence without the aggression,are very athletic ..I feel this great if the child loves it and the club and teacher are responsible..Children less likely to be bullies or be bullied..

I have concerns with this dad. MMA as a sport for kids is fine, like any other dangerous sport. It speaks volumes toward the end that dad says Kyle would be out smoking or drinking if Kyle didn't do this sport (and right in front of him I might add). I disagree. It's called parenting. The mom mentions Connor McGregor and his millions several times. Seems mom is living in a fantasy world and dad is living vicariously through his son. I had a gifted teenage athlete when she was in high school and it was crushing to watch her walk away from a sport that you spent sooooooo many years, time and money training/traveling for. What we realized though was that the growth as a person she experienced was the true benefit. You do really only see this on the other side. I sincerely wish this family well and pray that Kyle reaches his goals and his family only supports him for him and not their own gain or long ago dreams.

i agree with what the dad said when he refered to discipline...kyle will be more disciplined down the gym by his trainer and fellow fighter than he could ever get at home, he is also a determined and focused young man and that can only be positive....i am a former british champion cyclist and did what is considered a "safe sport" yet i had a good friend lose his life whilst competing in a race and had another couple of good mates killed while out training that were involved in accidents with cars...good luck with the future kyle and inspire others to take a positive path.

There is risk to this. But he is a kid that didn't fit the school system and he can channel his energy into something meaningful. He wold be getting in to trouble but now he is building amazing discipline. I think his parents are doing a great job. They are investing in him and devoted to him.

They're a lovely family. There's sports like rugby that people have no problem with them doing but they're probably more likely to sustain head injuries than the kids who do MMA.

I love how supportive the family is.

I truly hope that Kyle makes his dreams come true for himself. It would be great to see him as a champion fighter

Why don't they wear protective headgear?

It is a shame that Kyle's sister stated she would get beat up to show others she will do anything to make them proud. Kyle has a problem with authority like he stated and has no interest in school. He cannot go through life like this. This did not start out as Kyle's dream. He began the fighting at 6. This sport surely would not be a sport I would introduce my 6 yr old to.

love.authenticity. great content!

I'm pretty sure that punch to the face was not an accident. ( In the fights before Kyle's. )

This type o! fighting is so violent and bloody compared to something like Jujitsu. Jujitsu is such a humble Martial Art. They are so respectful of one another, they don’t brag about themselves and I know because my son is in this sport and has been doing this for 6 years. It takes years to earn belts and he doesn’t even tell other family member and asks us not to share with family member when he moves up a belt. He said it’s about discipline, commitment and respect. A white belt who has been working for 2 years he has “mad respect” for when he moves up a belt. Everyone deserves that respect. The goal isn’t to hurt the other opponents, it about winning the competition on technique. He said that Navy Seals and Police Officer’s come in and have a difficult time submitting so it really is learning to humble oneself. Also, when he reached one of his belts, he gave back to the gym by helping to teach the young kids in the gym with classes, this is a way he gives back to the gym in gratitude. He does this voluntarily.

I admire Kyle's self-discipline & determination. Only 14, & been at it since he was 5. Would it be better if he were that self-disciplined & determined to become an engineer or doctor? Sure, but that's not where Kyle's interests lie. He's clearly self-motivated & the one who's driving this train. He's fortunate to have that gym in his community, with an excellent coach & motivated & supportive parents. Otherwise he'd be running the streets like some of the other neighbour kids. It seems obvious the parents believe Kyle could earn his livelihood this way--they're not looking at their child as a cash cow for themselves, but as a talented & driven kid with an unusual chosen career path. They also need to help him wrap his head around a potential Plan B. Rare's the individual who can make a career out of being an athlete. I also wish the family was as supportive of the daughter's ambitions & talents, which might be school-oriented. It's not a successful outcome usually when girls run the streets either.

He does have skill and passion, and while it's wonderful he has a outlet for that, what happens outside of schedule fighting? Does he still lash out when he, a CHILD, is given direction by authority or doesn't get his way?

Stacey is so adorable. Good video!

If the lads got a passion...let him at it. Atleast it keeps em' on a straight path and off the streets. Good family. Hope the boys dreams come true

11:29, wow! we learned that sort of math when we're seven years old in my country.

lovely family - salt of the earth, good luck to Kyle - he has a discipline & purpose he will do well.

All I keep hearing the parents say is they support him because he can be rich from this. 30:51 during this conversation what the "father" is saying is, mma will raise my kid. I don't need to do anything as a father but keep him in mma. That's delusional. They are so keen on him being rich and famous that they don't think about all of the rich and famous people who still do drugs and get in trouble with the law. Good parenting is not letting someone or something else raise your kid.

Lovely family ❤

Its absolutely madness it should be in the law that they need helmets to protect their brain

I think you are doing the best for your boy channeling his energy. Sure, people will criticize, but I think you know best for your kids. Well done, keep it up!

Watch any of the cop shows set in places like this and you see the same age group getting drunk, stabbing, glassing and fighting each other and then turning to crime uncontrolled and no discipline this is a 100% better. It lets out aggression that boys have at that age into a controlled disciplined environment. It teaches all the important things in life. Great family and great kids.

My boys do karate,and it is great for their confidence,my 15 year old that is like 6 feet can take me down if he wants to... But basing your whole future on making a career out of mma? It's possible,but probably a one in 100000 shot;even with all that dedication. And indeed those are the ones that make good money.

That kid who punched the other in the face knew what he was doing. I just don’t approve of this. But that’s just my opinion. However the alternative for kids, being in fights out of the ring… I’d probably do the same as they’re doing. I just wouldn’t encourage my child to do this without complete validation of why.

MMA is tough, but go watch the kids racing Motocross! a much tougher sport and a much more dangerous sport than MMA. plus more of a financial commitment on the family.

A few of my kids have friends who are venturing into the MMA fighting world 😮

I hope he makes it to UFC!!!

I feel like this is a good skill to have no matter your age or if you’re a boy or girl.

so glad these parents are able to let this boy have a different environment to thrive and grow. Perhaps a bit more attention to conversation with the girls about their value could be good just so they don't misinterpret anything which happens with kids. I think this is what is true for the small girl. unfortunately some in the audience didnt think through the nuance of a child's reality when they commented about being sad for the girl.

I don't think there's anything sad about what the daughter said. She's a young kid, very brave and honest. You go girl!

I grew up doing martial arts. I went 4-5 days a week for many years. The idea that this is somehow more dangerous than many of the other sports out there is honestly silly. I got more injuries playing water polo and swimming in high school than I ever did all 10 years I was in martial arts as a kid. They are learning a sport that can actually translate to real life- self defense. As a 14 year old, 5 days a week of training isn’t weird or too much.

Let's pick an activity that develops all the worst impulses in the kid. As long as it will bring us "millions"

I would not chose this for my kids

There should be some kind of balance. For me, I’m not very healthy or athletic. I wish my parents were able to get me into some kind of sports as a kid. Maybe I’d be more disciplined and healthy. But I don’t know about these types of things where the kids are almost professionals. Kinda like beauty pageant kids, all the money spent and traveling, it’s like a whole career. A kid’s job should first be finishing school.

Don't believe in hunting for food. But believe in watching people beat the crap out of one another.

I wish Stacey lived here in the United states

My god...that redhead is a wonder!😍😂

Cheer on violent kids with behavioral problems while they beat each other up. What could go wrong? And then the parents sit right there in front of him and talk about him having no control and will end up in prison and all that.

clearly the parents wanted him to go this path.The mother said herself that people can become millionaires doing this. Its disgusting child exploitation

Mr. Sumner’s claim that Kyle would be getting into all sorts of trouble if he weren’t pursuing MMA is a convenient justification for the choices these parents have made (i.e. Kyle would theoretically be at greater risk absent his MMA pursuits). It’s an empty excuse meant to make themselves look more caring and less irresponsible - as they presented no evidence that Kyle ever actually did smoke or engage in petty crimes before he got into this “sport.” Their claim that they’re investing in his future - and that he has the potential to become rich with this “career” - are too far-fetched to be credible, and also geared towards defending their parenting. Sadly, these parents ideas as to what their children could achieve are limited by their environment and their own life experience. The Mrs spoke of how hard they work just to maintain their modest lifestyle - yet they have FOUR children to provide for - adding to their burden. The best way to ensure a child succeeds is to ensure they’re well educated - NOT by taking the child out of school and limiting study to 2 hours per day. So their reasoning is quite convoluted. I have no doubt that these parents love their son. Yet it’s obvious that his fighting success is a point of pride for them - as Stacey noted, there’s literally a shrine to Kyle’s achievements in the living room. How must that make his siblings feel? There’s one prodigal son and the rest exist in the shadow of his glory. These parents were themselves raised in neighborhoods where “toughness” was what impressed others - and they’ve carried those values forward. It’s just so sad. One wrong blow to the head and Kyle’s career is done for. One serious injury and he has nothing to fall back upon. The gamble may pay off - but it still doesn’t justify the risks. I’d like to see how this turns out.

I feel sorry for the other three kids😢

I have great admiration for this family for not caving into fear, and not teaching their son to be fearful. He wants to be strong, and this will help him in the world. Go, Kyle!

I think the parents definitely have an eye on the money he could make in the future. Kyle didn’t get his little fists in boxing glove by accident at the age of two, Dad’s pushed it from the beginning. I also wonder if Kyle would have had so much aggression at school, if he wasn’t taught to fight at such a young age.

I don't understand a word his dad speaking🙁

Wow... messed up their little girl by focusing on his fighting. That's terrible.

Odd how Stacey likes this family and how even though people might not like what they're doing, they still do it because it's what's best for their kids. But when it came to the traditional family, the old money family, or the LDS family, they had the exact same attitude about it and she didn't like that. 🤔

Go for it Kyle !

If your kid has anger problems then you put them in karate, not MMA! Karate teaches control of your body AND mind. Teaching kids to punch someone is a recipe for disaster. How will he take out his anger when he can no longer box?

It’s very obvious to me that the little sister, and I guess all the other kids, feel that they only get the appropriate attention from their father, if they are fighters like Kyle. And I also get the impression that the father is banking on his son to earn a lot of money one day, when he gets famous. I understand, that his son was difficult and aggressive at a very young age and that they thought they could find an outlet for him. But I think they should have chosen a martial art that teaches discipline and control, without the obvious danger of injury. What about Judo or Karate, for example?

I had to stop watching this episode. Kids in a cage fighting, not going to school and being socialized properly? It hurt my heart.

This is barbaric, for me. I will not judge for others.

Obviously particularly dreams dad!

I think that kid has an anger issue

Does anyone know how to eat a piece of chicken?

Sounds like it’s all about Money 💰

The boys should have helmets on.. that's terrible. The parents let them fight without safety gear on.