Last winter, in an effort to instill some discipline into our children, we enrolled them in karate. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from it but I can say it’s far exceeded whatever expectations I may have had.

Activity

The kids are active from the time they walk in the door to the time they leave. Back in January, when they started, neither one of them could do a real pushup. Now, they can crank them out. They do a great warmup with the kids to get them ready for the rest of class. For the first few months they boys were completely exhausted after class. Cameron and Logan have always been active but taking karate has stepped it up a notch for them.

Cameron is rocking some serious abs for a nine year old!

That’s Cameron in black w/the silver helmet.

Concentration

They have to learn “forms” to advance to the next belt rank. The forms are different moves strung together and the more advanced they get, the more movements are in each form and the more difficult those moves become. They really have to pay attention and concentrate to know the moves and remember the forms.

This is one of the things that has amazed me the most. Both boys have a real grasp on the forms they need for their level. It’s impressive to see them learn and know their forms.

I was worried that they would struggle to memorize the forms but so far those worries have been completely unnecessary.

Hard work

In karate you have to work had to succeed. Everything is earned and nothing is given. It’s not easy to learn the forms. It’s not always easy to have the level of concentration needed and expected. What the boys have really seen is how their hard work pays off.

Logan receiving a new belt rank.

The hard work pays off in achieving the next belt rank and realizing they can do something they never thought possible. They have to earn everything they do in karate, nothing is given and nothing is handed out.

The pride just rolls off of them when they receive their next belt.

Respect

They really ingrain respect into the kids. Respect for themselves. Respect for others. Respect for parents. Respect for their school.

Not that the boys were ever overly disrespectful but it’s been a nice reinforcement for our expectations at home.

The discipline of karate Cameron and Logan do is called Tang Soo Do.

As a parent, it’s hard not to like something that has the following as it’s codes:

Loyalty to country.

Obedience to parents.

Honor and friendship.

No retreat in battle (always finish what you start).

In fighting, choose with sense and honor.

They end each class with those words.

They begin each class with this:

I will develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that would reduce my mental growth and my physical health.

I will develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.

I will use what I learn in class constructively and defensively to help myself and my fellow man and never be abusive or offensive.

We are a black belt school, we are Motivated, we are Dedicated, we are on a Quest to be our Best.

I wasn’t so sure about how the boys would take to the expectations since they give me a hard time when I ask them to do a simple task like brush their teeth. The instructors make all the difference though, they have a way of making the kids listen and do what they’re told with a, “Yes, sir!”

Logan rocking the Flying Sidekick.

Not only do the instructors demand and receive respect but they make everything fun. They are firm with the kids without being abusive. They are strict but fun and I think that’s how they get the respect from the kids. They don’t put up with nonsense but they give the kids the opportunity to be kids at the same time.

If there is one thing that is quite clear, it’s that every instructor cares. They want to see the kids learn and succeed. They are willing to help out when there is a problem outside of karate too. As a parent it makes me feel at ease knowing that the instructors have my children’s best interest at heart.

Karate is not a team sport but it also teaches the kids to work as a team. It’s amazing how they can all be working independently but together at the same time

If you’re looking for a great activity for your kids that is a really well rounded experience, consider karate.

I will warn you though, it’s not an inexpensive activity. In almost a year we’re probably a little more than five grand in. Between the classes themselves, the gear, the tests and the extra activities at the school it adds up quick. We’ve tried to save a few bucks here and there by purchasing some of our weapons on Amazon and I’m sure there are ways to save even more if you’re clever.

I can honestly say that I feel the experience is worth every penny we’ve spent and all the pennies we will spend as they work their way up the Tang Soo Do ladder.

Learning how to use nunchucks.

Are your kids involved in martial arts? How has your experience been with it?

Dude with the attitude!

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my kids. I would walk through fire for them if I had to without hesitation. I just don’t really like them right now and Hurricane Sandy made it even more clear to me.

That’s right, I said it. They are driving me crazy lately and something has to give.

Cameron with his crap attitude and the temper tantrums is enough to have me ready to ship him off to military school…In the first grade! No matter what you say to him he lives in opposite land and makes EVERYTHING an argument. When he doesn’t get his way he throws an all out tantrum, the kind you would expect from a toddler, not a six year old. He throws tantrums at home, when we visit grandparents, while out shopping, and just about everywhere else.

Logan sees his brother’s behavior and follows his every move. Now I have two kids living in opposite land and I’m done!

This isn’t the first time I’ve struggled to get the boys in line either. Some of you might remember reading about my struggles with Cameron’s behavior and Logan following his big brother’s bad example. That was over a year and a half ago and still I struggle. Sure we have good days and we’ve had quite a few of them, but the bad days make me wonder what I was thinking having kids in the first place.

So what am I going to do?

I’m going back to where I had some success. 1-2-3 Magic worked when I started to put it into place here. I blame myself for not keeping up with it or even finishing the book. I vow to do better this time, my sanity depends on it.

While we didn’t have power, compliments of Hurricane Sandy, I dusted off the book and started reading it again. I’m only about a quarter of the way through it but the ideas and lessons in the book seem to be resonating a little more than they did almost two years ago.

Just this morning I started to try and implement what I’ve learned so far. No words and no emotion. I think it caught Cameron off guard that I didn’t yell at him mind tantrum to stop. I let that kid scream his head off at the bus stop. Thankfully we’re alone down there.

The short version of the story, he had a choice to make, me made it and had to live with the consequences. When he realized he wasn’t going to get a rise out of me he calmed down rather quickly. It wasn’t easy, I think I bit my tongue bloody.

He wants a fight and I’m done giving in to it. I have to be done. I want to start enjoying the kids again. I want to look forward to them coming home each day instead of dreading it. I want to like them as much as I love them.

I have a plan and I’m going to see it through. Wish me luck!