KARATEKIDSMOM

Yes, Some how the money always works out once we make a plan to do something. We find a way to pay for all the kids want to do I am sure we can do the same for this! Thanks! Cindy I will keep ya posted!

Funny you should ask. I did take a free class with the head instructor/owner's sister. She teaches a kadio karate class! It was great but then I could not fit it in the budget. My husband keeps telling me to find a way! he is a big fitness nut and thinks it was great that I found something I liked! So I may do that at the end of this month if we see a light at the end of the tunnel as far as finances are concerned.

Well its good to know that other MA instructors are teaching the same thing my sons is being taught! I agree with that practice as well. RUN RUN RUN unless you can not then DEFEND!!!!!!!!!!!

Exacally what happened here. His instructor always tells him NEVER use karate on your friends in the playground. He instructs them to GET AWAY and stay away from trouble. That is the first step! He is working trying to drill in his head in a real life situation you block then get away if you can! Which I think is a good lesson rather than them fighting! Very hard to figure what goes on in the mind of the 7 year old!

Hey thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately my husband and I learn the hard way that life is very short. We lost our first son at 2 years old to cancer. It has changed the way we live tremendously. We were always involved in what our kids did but we think diffeerently now. We know each minute of each day is a presious gift. I love that my son has choosen MA because it has done wonders for his self esteem. We both LOVE to watch him! HOWEVER, he got punched in the belly the other day and did not defend himself as he was taught. I spoke with his instructor about this he said it happens sometimes because the kids are caught off gaurd. He is working with him to switch into karate mode when he needs to defend himself. And not to fight but to defend and get away FIRST!!! Then if he has not choice and needs to then of couse stike back! Any of you had that happen with any of your students?

Hey, thanks Red J. Yeah, I have gotten some really good advice.

Akima: Yes, it was just the King fu guy who lead me to believe I don't know enough about MA to make a sound judgement on my sons instrutor or his school. That is what got me researching. Other than that all has been fine at the school he is in. The instructor is easy to talk to. In the begining I thought my son was getting board and not challenge enough but we spoke with the instructor and he agreed and has made things more challenging for my son. He is such a nice guy. He is about 25 - 27 young guy! I searched his name on the internet but found nothing!

Thanks luckyKboxer! Yes, the head instructor that owns the school trained and got his black belt at a school in our town. He worked there as an instructor. I think the Kung fu guy was trying to tell me that the degrees on the belt may be questionable but he did not come out and say that! I don't know it just put a ? in my head and I wanted to try and find out what was normal in the MA world. Personally, gut feeling is I like this guy. He is young and full of energy he is GOOD at performing and teaching. I don't know I just want to validate my gut feeling I quess. After validating my gut feeling I now am upset with the Kung-fu guy for bad mouthing my sons instuctor and his school. I almost want to mention to him..... look this guy is not your friend.... -supposidly he stops in there to ask the Kung -fu guy to train him in Kung-fu . Kung-fu guy told me this maybe to make me think "He was the real teacher"! . I don't know maybe I will just mind my business and not say anything. If he got me thinking maybe he is doing that to others in the town as well.

Thanks for the insite! Some ask why I want my son in MA. Its not so he can go around beating people up. It's the self confidence, the discipline, the excercise and he is having fun! I hope he never has to use it!!!! But if there comes a time, I hope what he learned will serve him well!

Ok one more question if you will................ I think if this Kung-fu guy was telling us that about our school trying to turn us against our instructor he may be doing that to other too. They know eachother.... Do you think I should warn our instructor? or leave well enough alone?

Whew!!! I must admit I went to another site or forum and posted the same question. ( I am redundent like that). Not nearly as friendly and helpful! Thanks!

Thanks,!!! Angela, Delta and Aefibird! Yes agreed, there is a school that BB kids only after 2 years of training.!!! If my son started there at 6 he'ld be a BB by 8... HMMMMMM didn't seem like the old MA I heard and read about. I appreciate all of your input! It has been most helpful!

There are 150 at my sons school. The instructor started the school 5 years ago! he is doing pretty well I quess!

Gheez, I thought i paid alot for my sons Karate. He pays 100.00 per month includes belts, testing and one uniform. He can go everyday 6 dys a week if he chooses. No extra charges unless its for a private. That is 30$ per 30 min with head instructor, $10. part time instructors. That sounds like something you should check into!

Ok one more thing is it "KENPO" or "KEMPO"

Akima: must have been posting when you were or I just missed it. The owner/instructor is a 3rd degree BB and came out of a school called "Ocasio's". He taught there then branched off on his own. the KF guy made this sound like something bad or tabu but what is the difference. The KF guy claims he learned straight from a Master from Southern China. Then he opened his school so I can't see the difference. But because I want to research as much as possible because my son loves it so much I want to make sure he is learning something that later on he will just try and deprogram. I have read a lot of MA people go through that. But how does one tell that the school they have choosen is a good one. My son can do 6 half hour basic classes a week and 6 15 min BB club classes a week. (min requirement is 2 but they allowed to come in everyday that there age group has a time slot). My son does 4 classes per week. He also does 2 30 min private lessons. those are extra. There are no charges for belts or testing or belt promotions. The 4 - 9 year old test approx every 3 months and move up in rank if they pass. 4 - 6 yr olds are called cubs and they have to go through a full set of belts (takes 2 yrs) then 7 - 9 year old go thru all the belt colors (takes 2 yrs) then 9 - 14 solid belt students train for 4 - 5 years before they can test for BB. So my son started at 4-1/2 yo will not be able to test for his BB until he is 13 or 14 That 8-1/2 - 9 years at that school until he is able to test for BB. Does that sound reasonable. Or is that a money maker to keep the kids in the school longer? The instructor feels kids under 13 are not disaplined enough to test for BB. (a statement I find to be not true because no two kids are alike). Anyway, any advice you can throw my way is greatly appreciated!

Whew!!!!!! Thanks! this has been real helpful. Not knowing a lot about MA we were happy but I let that Kung-fu guy get in my head. I do watch all my son classes. His instructor is awesome at what he does. He is so talented. We love watching him perform demos! His few of his BB students have become jr instructors and they are all good too. My son is enjoying himself. The school is very, extremly organized and clean. (his mom and sister also work there). They are a very nice family. It impressed my husband and I that they are such a close family that is what has kept us there for 2.5 years. I never heard that "lineage" comment until my son noticed a new school and just wanted to pop in to see the big "lion/dragon Drum" in the door way. He is obsessed with anything to do with MA. So Angela, Delta and Aefibird are you instructors or students or both? I appreciate you help. I may post here (and lurk) just to get myself educated. Thanks, Cindy

My 7 yo has been takiing Karate since he was 4. The school is close by and the we like the instructor. However, my 7 yo decided he wanted us to visit a local Kung-Fu school and the owner/Instuctor there got me thinking. He claims the school my son has been in has no "real linage". The instuctor/owner of my sons school is a 3rd degree BB and teaches Kempo style Karate. He was taught at a local school and then became an instructor there but then branched off on his own and opened up his own school. Any advice for a mom with no MA experience just trying to determine a Dojo from a McDojo! Thanks in advance, any advice will be appreciated!