Radical Ralphie and Big Brother Archie: The Karate Kids
Radical Ralphie and his big brother Archie earned their next level karate belts this weekend. They have been enrolled at Premier Martial Arts in Watertown, New York, for almost a year and it is the one sport/activity that finally captured the interest of both boys. This mom was very happy that they both enjoy the same sport as it saves me a whole lot of running around.
However, I do sit at the dojo for 2 1/2 hours every Monday and Wednesday night as they have different practice times for their different age groups. But it is a welcoming place that feels sort of like visiting family. I generally take my laptop with me, park my butt on a couch, and respond to blog comments while the kids are getting their sweat on.
But this post isn’t about what I do during karate practice. This post is about my karate kids and how proud I am of them. This was only their second belt ranking up ceremony since they started, although it should be their third. You see, the last time they were due to receive their next level belts, Jeff and I decided along with the support of Coach Brickey to hold them back because their behaviors at home were not reflective of the martial arts standards of respect. To put it bluntly, they were being disrespectful little shits at home. So in an effort to show them that there are consequences for their behaviors, they did not earn their next belt. And it seemingly worked because they were much improved in all aspects by the time the next promotion came around.
This martial arts program has been great for my kids as the coach works with us on developing the appropriate behaviors across all areas of their lives. If their behaviors at home and at school are not at the expected level, the discipline will carry over into the dojo. Coach also requires that their teachers sign off on their belt promotions before they are eligible to rank up.
Ralphie’s group, Little Champions (ages 4-7), operates on a different belt ranking system than the traditional one of Archie’s group (ages 8-12). Ralph ranked up from a white with yellow stripe to half white/half yellow belt. Archie ranked up from a yellow to orange belt.
Archie also participates in Judo where he is still a yellow belt. Ralph sometimes participates in Judo so he is still only a white belt because he hasn’t earned enough hours of Judo practice to rank up yet.
In all honesty, I am not the best martial arts mom out there as I am still trying to figure out all this belt ranking stuff. But in order to achieve the next ranks, not only do the kids need to have consistent attendance and participation at practices, but they have homework assignments that must be completed as well for each ranking. These assignments include paper homework as well as documenting certain behaviors that exhibit and reflect martial standards. These assignments keep them accountable for being respectful and kind as well responsible and motivated in all areas of their lives.
For Radical Ralphie, the boy terror, martial arts as been effective in adjusting some his less than savory behaviors and often rotten attitude. For his more timid older brother, Archie, martial arts has helped to build his confidence and ability to assert himself in his pursuit for all things good and righteous.
We are hugely confident that this martial arts program will have long lasting benefits in the lives of our children. And we are so happy that they are loving it as well.
What sports have your kids participated in? Was it successful in other areas outside of the sport?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
18 Comments
Ellibelle
Congrats to your boys on earning their next level belt! I’m sure they are so excited!
My daughter takes dance lessons at an out of town studio 3 times a week for about 3 hours each day (they have to do a lot of pilates type activities to get strong bodies so they are capable of doing pointe work), so sitting at the studio during that time sounds very familiar (although my husband is taking her more than not during the winter months), but it truly is a great time to comment and catch up on blogging stuff. My son never was much into sports, but he did enjoy his swimming lessons and summer swim teams occasionally while he was younger. Now in his teens he’s joined robotics at his high school and I’m glad he’s going to the gym several days a week for a little workout. Physical activity is so important!
Loving your casual outfit!
Ellibelle’s Corner
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ellie, thanks so much for sharing your kids’ activities with me! My kids love to swim but there isn’t too much competitive swimming where we live. And they both took a robotics coding class that they loved. I should see if there are more classes for that because they both have the brains for that type of stuff. And one of my closest friends has a daughter very involved in dance so I am very familiar with the long hours she spends at the studio. In fact, on Tuesdays (our non-karate day), she brings her other daughter to our house to play so she doesn’t have to sit at the dance studio with her sister for hours. Once my husband gets back home (which is tonight, by the way!Yay!), he takes the boys to karate often or we stagger them so we don’t have to each sit there for as long. I hope your week is off to a great start! I am starting already behind on my work, as usual!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
So very cool. They look great. Congrats to them.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mireille
I really like the team work between home, dojo and school: very cool! Glad it has helped with behavior improvement and that they both enjoy it: key to success! My boys have mostly done soccer as I really don’t like driving around to a bunch of different things. My oldest has participated in reading bowls and academic bowls at school too which are pretty fun team competitions.
http://www.chezmireilefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Mireille, thanks so much for sharing! We tried soccer years ago with Archie and he hated it! Then we looked into guitar lessons and he was a bit too wishy washy to make the commitment. I am so glad that karate has stuck for both of them. Archie is also just getting into hunting with Jeff and I do want to look more into archery for him as well.
xoxo
Shelbee
ratnamurti
My son learnt karate in his late teens, and I can still see it in his demeanour, decades after. My youngest daughter learnt kung fu when she was 7 or 8 and loved it. It suited her dynamic nature. My eldest lived in a yoga ashram with me, and also in Australia, during her teens. She loved the country lifestyle and still lives like that. (She and I both abandoned the whole cult thing, btw) I was really impressed reading how you taught consequences. It will set your boys up for life.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ratnamurti, thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I love that life lessons are taught through sports and other activities. I was a competitive swimmer my entire childhood and young adulthood and so many lessons from those years have stayed with me throughout my entire life. These things are so important.
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
I love that the boys are doing this Shelbee. Any kinds of sports and activities like this teach us more than just the sport itself.
OXOX
Jodie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Jodie! I agree with you completely. I grew up as a very competitive athlete and so many lessons I learned through my sport have carried with me until today. Important life lessons and skills are learned through sport.
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
Way to go boys! I have heard about behavior at home factoring in – this teacher loves it!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Tamar! It is so great that their behaviors outside of the dojo are considered. Ralph’s teacher was super excited that she got to complete the form for his belt promotion. It was actually really adorable on her part!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
They are so cute!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer! Don’t let the cuteness fool you though! They can be a handful.
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
Totally awesome! It’s wonderful that they are being taught that martial arts requires not only physical prowess, but mental and emotional discipline as well. Wonderful that both boys enjoy it and it helps them with their personal challenges. Congrats to them for moving up!
Michelle
http://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! It really is a great sport for teaching lots of life lessons. I think learning those lessons through our sports is so important for life down the road. I learned so many valuable things through my sport when I was younger that have continued with me throughout my life. I am just glad we found something they both enjoy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Good luck to your boys. My grandson started at an early age in taekwondo, he won several state and national championships. I was hoping he’d stick with it and go to the Olympics but he’s moved on and now doing jiu-jitsu.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Dee! That is amazing about your grandson. You know, even though he didn’t pursue it to Olympic level, I am sure that he gained so much value from doing it at all. I am going to encourage my kids to continue on with it as well. They are getting quite skilled.
xoxo
Shelbee