Robin and Randy have been in karate since February and they both really love it. I think they get a lot out of it, too. Last night they were promoted to blue belts. Belt testing will get harder now. Next belt is green, then brown and then black. From what I understand of this karate school, they have to be 17 before they can be promoted to black belt. It will probably take about one more year to get to brown belt (maybe a bit longer). They're thrilled to be blue belts!!! We came home after class and ate dinner and they kept their belts on the table with them. lol Really, Robin carried his around the house all night! I just wanted to brag on them a bit. They've both done great, but I am especially proud of Robin. He's doing SO well right now. Even another parent at karate mentioned she noticed how well he's doing. Not just with the karate, but with attitude and behavior. I'm so proud of them both.

There was one girl who was promoted to jr brown belt last night. Both her parents were there (they're divorced and dad doesn't usually come). All three of them were beaming. She's about 12. Another kid was promoted to sr brown belt. He must be 16 because the instructor said to start preparing for his jr black belt exam in June in Las Vegas. This kid ended up with a bloody nose while sparing last night. After class I asked which black belt (there are three--the instructor and two jr instructors who are both about 19 or so) bloodied his nose and it was the instructor! He said, "Hey! He walked right into my punch!" The kid admitted, yeah, he did. Whoops! lol One of the jr instructors said, "You can't be a higher ranking belt and not end up bloody sometimes." I guess that throws out my "no blood, no foul" theory! lol

By Christylee on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 09:49 am:

Congratulations Robin and Randy, great job guys! I have a friend who has her son in karate and he's loving (he's 4). I think I will look into into it for Brendan next spring.

Great Job boys!

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 09:51 am:

YEAH! I've tried to get my kids interested in Karate but, it didn't work. LOL!

By Melanie on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 10:31 am:

Congrats to your boys!!! You should definitely be proud!!!

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 10:33 am:

I tried too, when Jeff was around 5. Congrats to your boys! Karate teaches them incredible self discipline and patience.

By Cat on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 11:47 am:

The kids tried karate about 3 years ago, when we still lived in town. They lasted 2 or 3 classes and then begged not to go. That class had about 50 kids and just one instructor and a helper (not even an instructor). It was insane (and total caos). Now their class is anywhere between 5-25 kids, depending on the day, time, and weather, and there are always at least 2 instructors, but usually three, plus the sr instructor puts the higher ranking belts (like the green and brown) in charge of teaching basics to the lower belts. I like that he does that because it teaches these kids responsibility and it's great for their self esteem. Robin got to teach some new white belts one night, with the help of a green belt, and he was so excited! I guess my point is a lot depends on the school you try and the instructor.

By Tink on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 11:53 am:

WOW! ^5, Randy and Robin! I love the fact that they carried their belts to dinner.LOL

We'd like to get Seth involved in karate, but I don't have any idea what to look for in a karate school. Any tips for a clueless mom?

By Cat on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 12:04 pm:

Word of mouth, recomendations, and try a couple classes. The instructor of the school the kids are in offers the first two weeks free so kids can try it first. He also gives them a uniform free if they join (usually costs $40, plus $12 for the t-shirt and $5 for the patch). Here's a link to the main website for their school. It is world wide and you can check this site to see if there's a school near you. UKK Also, there are several branches of this school in our area. The one we go to is held at Robin's elementary school, either in the gym or the cafateria (depending on the basketball players practice schedule!). The parents would LOVE for our instructor to get his own building, but real estate out here is NOT cheap, and he has a full time job in addition and this is just a side gig for him because he loves it! I talked to both him and his wife extensivly before letting the kids join, mostly because of Robin's problems. I wanted to make sure this would be a good thing for him and that they'd work with him if something were to come up at class. The instructor also emphasises cooperation at home and at school. When the kids got their belts last night he told them not to forget all those that helped them achieve their new rank, including their instructors, the other kids in their karate class, and their parents for letting them do it and bringing them to class. hth

I know there are other moms on here with kids in karate. I hope they can tell you some things that might help as well.

By Cat on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 12:08 pm:

Btw, the boy's instructor's picture is on that site. Go to Scrapbook/Gallery and he's the second one in the top row (DeYoung). That's not Robin's school, though. He has classes at two different places.

By Jelygu on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 05:43 pm:

Congratulations to your boys