ninjanurse

Letting them (kids) be in control is a double edged sword. Kids have to learn self-discipline and comittment from somewhere and letting them not go to class sets a bad example and can hinder their growth as a martial artist. On the other hand, kids may learn to hate the martial arts and resent their parents (if they don't already) and you could lose a potentially great student if you force it. I have encountered both situations and have never found an easy solution. In many cases sitting down and talking about the kids goals, not the parents, helps open up communication about the whole thing and compromises can be made. In my own kids cases I made it well known from the beginning that they were making a committment to their goal (Black Belt and beyond) and I would do everything possible to help them achieve it-including taking them to class when they didn't want to go. They still love me too!

Meatloaf!!!

Exactly! Colds are caused by viruses NOT cold weather or wet hair!!!!!!! This one drives me crazy at work-people scolding their spouses or kids because they didn't wear a jacket out to the mailbox in the snow yesterday and now they're sick..."I told you so..blah, blah, blah"! Now, if you go outside without a jacket AND get hypothermic AND you are already sick or have an illness brewing, then you MAY increase the severity or length of the illness because your immune system MAY be more stressed.

Be careful that you cool down before stretching though as muscle fibers remain "excitable" for a few minutes and can contract forcefully when you stretch causing them to tear. This is escpecially true for runners.

They are cumbersome and uncomfortable but since the are required at most TKD events the best thing to do is just train in them when ever possible. I suggest wearing the smallest you can get away with...may be a bit harder now that they are going to full back coverage.

Nicely said.

I too agree. A nice analogy.

No child should be "punished" because the instructor has a problem with the parent-period. This is EGO and nothing more..and illustrates a complete lack of humility. Yes, you have struck a nerve here!

Welcome Back!!!

Welcome!!

The best thing I learned was how not to fight.

Best of luck to you.

HEHE!! What a mental picture I just got!!!

That depends on your definition of "cheap"...try Tiger Claw.

Another 2 cents here-just a thought for consideration: Jack of all trades master of none... Has a certain ring of truth when it comes to the martial arts however it does depend on your personal goals. If you are not interested in maintaing the integrity of your art and preserving it as a whole so that it can be passed on to your students then it may make no difference whether you cross train or not. For example, those that are interested in developing their own style may include several arts or styles in the final product. On the other hand, it is difficult to internalize and (dare I say) "master" a style when your attention is constantly drawn away from it and techniques have too many variations, i.e., "Today I am karate so I do it this way, tomorrow I am tae kwon do so I do it this way"....it can be confusing for some and can lead to a degredation in technique. This is not to say that you can't make something better while maintaining it's integrity-I cross train selectively to enhance my physical skills...but (to use another old and worn out cliche') too much of a good thing can be bad.

My door is always open...but no whining! I hate whining.

Good luck!

Yes! Doesn't sound like they are really interested in teaching kids so you may want to find another school. If they are going to allow students of that age they should teach them appropriately regardless of the rank structure.

I am going to have to say I agree with you on this one. All students within a system are important regardless of their rank. This is our "living tradition" and without it our arts would die.

Agreed. Teaching is an art in itself.

I had a partial removal of the posterior lateral meniscus (again!) and a procedure called microfracture to fill a defect in the anterior medial cartlidge. I still have pain in the posterior lateral area, probably due to micro tears and arthritis so I am looking at another scope and procedure in the future. No lateral release for me as my knee cap sits nicely, however my son had that done after dislocating his kneecap and his knee is fine. He was not deligent about his quad exercises either-kids!!!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!