Is Karate the Answer?

I have mixed feelings about organized activities for kids. They always seem like a good idea at the start.  The kids start off with great enthusiasm and interest. This interest inevitably fades during the weeks. I know I can't be the only one who has prodded her children along "c'mon, c'mon, let's go!". And all the while, I am wondering why. Why am I nagging them? I really don't care if my 3 year old goes to "sports 101". Okay, I do care. I hate to waste money. But... I've got plenty of other things to nag him about. Starting with teeth brushing. Or the ever popular toilet flushing/ hand washing combo. Moms across the country have different "activity management strategies." There is the a) endurance building Marathon Mom. Simply put, this Mom schedules an activity every day. No down time. No time for whining because you're already off and running in the car. These Moms consume vast amounts of caffeine. There is also b) Mall Mama. As in "I'd rather be at the Mall than shuffling my kids to activities". And there's me. "Motivatin' Mama". I keep hoping with enough positive mental attitude (good ol' P.M.A.) and chocolate chip granola bars the activities blues will fade away. I can't say it has worked. 

And then I found karate. Not only is it close to my house (very important), but Caitlin and Ryan have consecutive classes (extra important). The first few lessons were fantastic for everyone. The kids were hooked. And more importantly, I was too. For the first time, I DO care if we go to karate. This is something I can believe in. For a 3 year old boy, it's channelling energy in a positive way. Also known as "learning how to demolish boards; not your parent's house." For a 6 year old girl, it's so much more. I love ballet for girls. I love gymnastics for girls. But. (you knew this was coming, right? This article isn't called "is ballet the answer?" ) Ballet and gymnastics put a lot of abuse on young bodies. And a lot of abuse on body-image. I worry about body image for girls a lot. I'm not crazy; there are our anorexic 8 year olds in our world. That is crazy. But karate...karate is for big people or small. Or tall or short. Or pretty or ugly. Yes, I was thrilled. And then week 3 it started. The whining. The "I don't wanna go. I don't like karate." Into my special Mommy zone I went. The zone where no whining penetrates. I smile pleasantly and nod and keep moving the kids along to the car. And magically at the karate parking lot smiling children pop out of the car and race to the front door. 

Our karate studio goals are to "internalize lessons that improve self-confidence, goal achievement, and school grades." Whew. That's ambitious. I'm surprised they're not trying to find a cure for cancer at the same time. Or maybe that is part of the black belt program. But for today, let's just hope I'm building the foundation for self-confidence. That will get you far in this world. I'll put up with a lot of whining to instill that in the kids.