As martial arts instructors, we spend a lot of time teaching our students about discipline, respect, and confidence. But one lesson that often goes hand-in-hand with these values is gratitude. Gratitude – our November Lesson of the Month – is not just a nice thing to do, but a way of life, and a powerful…
As an instructor and as a lifelong martial artist, I’ve seen and experienced firsthand the incredible benefits martial arts can bring to children and teens, not just in terms of physical fitness, but also in building character, discipline, and focus. However, with the increasing demands of school, chores, travel sports, family commitments, and extracurricular endeavors…
When people talk about the old adage “It takes a village to raise a child,” they often envision a tight-knit community of neighbors, friends, grandparents, aunts and uncles working together. This is absolutely true and a wonderful thing! However, the “villages” of days past are not the same as they are today, with families more…
When it comes to applying to college, students often look for ways to stand out from the crowd to the admissions officers – and they’re right to do so! While strong academic performance, volunteer work, and SAT/ACT scores are important, extracurricular activities can play a crucial role in showcasing a well-rounded and dynamic individual. One…
Parents of even the biggest sport-loving, happy-natured kids know what it’s like to look in the rearview mirror and see a moody, pouting child or teenager in the backseat. Whether they strike out at the plate, didn’t medal at a tournament, or just overall performed poorly, it can make the drive home from a game…
Originally Written by Meg Klettke “Give me the book!” The demand for one of his brothers books rang through the house as my youngest hit his breaking point. It had been a very big first day back into our usual routine following a weeks long vacation. To say that we were all ready for a…
“Enough with the screens!” Parents: Have you ever felt like saying this to your child or teen when they just wont seem to put the phone or the tablet down? (If you answered “Yes”, you’re not alone!) Nowadays it can feel like children are only interested in their video games, smart phones, and social media…
When we hear the term “school readiness,” the first thing most people think of is children knowing academic basics that will help them meet the demands of the classroom. And while these cognitive skills are important, teachers feel that skills in the other areas of child development are just as, or more important. Social, emotional,…
One of the biggest struggles in parenting is understanding why perfectly sweet and smart children can, in an instant, turn into the most difficult beings ever faced. It’s often as if a switch was flipped and chaos has ensued. This typically results in parents becoming frustrated at their child and disciplining them in the heat…
Today’s world is busy; People are rushing here and there to get to work, school, the store, or the next activity. Even our “leisure” time is filled with busyness. And during all of it, we are distracted by our devices. This not only leads to us missing important moments in our lives, but it also…