Have\u00a0you\u00a0been practicing Martial Arts for a while, and have been thinking about getting your child involved?\u00a0Or\u00a0perhaps you\u00a0have been taxiing your child to their Martial Arts class for the past\u00a03\u00a0years, and\u00a0wonder if you could give it a go.\u00a0After all you\u00a0know all the technique names, how to bow,\u00a0and even how to tie a belt.<\/p>\n
Does it ever strike you that there is something\u00a0a bit off with how we\u00a0have to\u00a0make time\u00a0for\u00a0family\u00a0activities,\u00a0and so often planning our time around our child’s busy shedule?<\/p>\n
Terms such as, \u2018kids\u00a0activities,\u2019 \u2018mum\u2019s quiet time,\u2019 or \u2018dad\u2019s night out,\u2019 promote the idea of\u00a0\u2018ME\u2019 instead of \u2018US\u2019\u00a0and finding time for \u2018family time\u2019 becomes increasingly difficult causing stress for parents.<\/p>\n
Stressed Parents = Stressed Children<\/b><\/p>\n
And stressed children are certainly not the confident ones.<\/p>\n
But here is the important part… IT\u2019S NOT YOUR FAULT<\/p>\n
It\u2019s\u00a0just how we have been programmed. Especially with the media\u00a0bombarding\u00a0parents\u00a0with the latest\u00a0\u2018guidelines\u2019,\u00a0that mum\u00a0bragging\u00a0in\u00a0the playground\u00a0and… What\u00a0do you mean\u00a0your\u00a0child\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0coding yet?…it\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0matter (unless we make it).<\/p>\n
Raise your child to feel safe, secure,\u00a0and\u00a0an integral member of the family,\u00a0they will do the rest of the work, so you\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have to.<\/p>\n
Just like us, they need purpose. They need to feel connected to you.<\/p>\n
A common ground, like Martial Arts,\u00a0will\u00a0build their confidence\u00a0and connection with you. They will learn how to protect themselves physically and mentally.\u00a0And if you train\u00a0too, they will feel even more confident and secure knowing that you will be able to hold the fort.<\/p>\n
Train\u00a0with them and watch their confidence skyrocket.<\/p>\n
We are living in a pandemic of children and teens with low self-esteem, and no gold stars,\u00a0house points\u00a0or\u00a0high 5s\u00a0are\u00a0going to fix it.<\/p>\n
We need to find the root of the problem, and that lies within connection…or the lack of it these days.<\/p>\n
Invest your\u00a0family time in\u00a0things\u00a0that will help you grow\u00a0as a unit.<\/p>\n
Rather than\u00a0enrolling your child in 101\u00a0activities\u00a0you think will help them become successful\u00a0and confident\u00a0in adult life, invite them into your world.<\/p>\n
We invest so much time, money and energy\u00a0enrolling\u00a0today\u2019s children in\u00a0activities\u00a0that will help prepare them for adulthood, while they\u00a0participate\u00a0in ‘children only’ activities.<\/p>\n
If your child\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0want to go to ballet, or swimming club, ask yourself if you would like to join them.<\/p>\n
The same applies to Martial Arts schools. So many Martial Arts schools these days have been designed for children\u00a0only,\u00a0and\u00a0when that happens, it turns into a games class, rather than Martial Arts.<\/p>\n
The solution?\u00a0Find a Martial Arts class that you would love to go to as well.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
That way your child\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0just grow out of it after a couple of years. They will build discipline,\u00a0confidence\u00a0and if you are\u00a0joining\u00a0them, a bond that will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n
Not only will you be able to spend quality time with them, but\u00a0they\u2019ll\u00a0also learn what\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0like to be an adult\u00a0that\u00a0commits, and\u00a0sticks with things.<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly, studies show that much of a child\u2019s\u00a0confidence\u00a0is directly correlated to their parents.<\/p>\n
Other than developing the necessary skills to help protect yourself and your family (physically and mentally) training with your children is\u00a0a great way\u00a0to develop healthy\u00a0habits, and\u00a0grow together as a family.<\/p>\n