Wrestling Back

[Kay/NC]

Lisa, your issue with that experiecne was that you had a different objective for the activity.  You wanted exercise and recreation for your boys. 

Traveling teams tend to be cherry-picked elites who are angling for the Olympics from an early age.  They are just looking for fresh conquests and bragging rights.

These kids have private coaches, attend expensive sports camps, and Heaven help them if they actually lose interest. 

I have one sister who sees her children's sports activities as stepping stones ot free college and multi-million dollar professional careers.  It is sort of sick and it's very sad.  I've actually heard her speak of her kids as "investments."  Very toxic. 

That is the type you will see following these teams.  I am so sure that you are not one of them...you made the right choice in moving on for your family. 

[Lisa Prater]

Thanks, Kay. Our youngest has shown some interest in wrestling, but I'm going to make him wait until he's a little older. They all do love baseball, though, and that's right around the corner! None of them are going to be star athletes, I don't think, but they can hit the ball and get on base, score a run now and then, and catch a few balls, so it's fun for them, and us. My husband has coached T-ball every year since Jake started, and this is Will's last year in T-ball, so it's Jayson's last year, too. He helps out with the other boys' teams as well, so it's great for the boys and their dad to have that time together.

[Kay/NC]

Lisa, your boys and their Dad are lucky to be able to spend this time together.  Jayson may have T-ball withdrawal, though! 

Not to be a broken record, but if yoru boys need an off-season activity, TKD (or any other martial art)  is wonderful for so many reasons.  It gets tthem fit, improves their muscle tone, balance and flexibility, and teaches them to home in on the instructor's voice and direction.  It really improves self-esteem, too. 

 I've seen some families where the younger brother or sister starts studying the art first, and it moves them out of the older kids' shadow.  As long as their training remains unbroken, the older kids can't every really pass by them in the program, either, so they always have this as their niche, where they are higher-ranked.  It is an interesting dynamic.   

The thing I really appreciate a lot about it over time is that it has apparently created alternative channels in my wiring.  I used to be so totally right-handed, but now, I will catch myself lifting a glass to drink, or using a utensil to eat, with my left.   Can't hurt.

Anyway, you will find that each biy will want to either follow the leader, or find their own thing.  I offered all of ours ewual opportunity and exposure, and ended up with one excellent soccer player, one who was awesome in softball, and one who loved tennis.  None of them gave a hoot for my passion of basketball, or Mike's for baseball.  Go figure!

[Lisa Prater]

I do think they would love that! I'm sure there are classes in the town where my parents live, which is about 20 minutes away. Maybe we could get them lessons for their birthdays! 

[Kay/NC]

Most martial arts schools will have an introductory special, which lets you get your feet wet wiithout a huge commitment.  Most important is the person who will be teaching and their personality...also, look for clean and neat facilities, with inch-thick, real martial arts floor matting for safety. 

 Many schools have websites, so you can get a basic idea of the program and schedule for kids' classes.  Usually, they really work well with school schedules, since kids are the key customer base if the program is a child-oriented one, which is what you want at this point.  Seom teach at the Y or in chuirch basements once ot twice a week, but I am not too keen on that unles they have the safety equipment in place.  . 

It could make a good new activity for all year, but most instructors will work well with missing spells for a sports season.  It is also something  a parent and child can do together, if classes allow for mixed ages, at the same time.  It is good to go at least two but not more than three times a week with younger kids, and that is a good frequency for any age.  Overtraining is bad in any sport. 

Some rural areas with rec programs will have a karate or TKD program, too.  Our county back home has had it for many years, and the instructor is a childhood friend of ours.  As with baseball and coaching influence, the instructor is the key element.