Michael had a belt test this weekend, he is now a green belt in Little Dragon's karate. And while that is exciting and all, and I'm really proud of him, you pretty much get a belt for showing up. So there is that.
But still, he could not be more excited about his green belt. And that is fantastic.
Michael has been doing karate for a year, and is one of the things he does that he really loves. The place we go is fantastic. We schlep about 30 minutes each way, because they used to come to the preschool of wonder and he fell in love with it there. His class is not just karate but life skills and I have never seen this child more well behaved, more attentive, and more respectful to anyone than the teachers at his karate class. And now that Jessica's son goes there as well, I have my gossip time on Saturday mornings. Win, win.
A few months ago one of the instructors suggested to Michael that he was ready for Kid Tigers, the next level up from Little Dragons. And he cried. And I was basically like, "whatever Michael. You can't stay a Little Dragon forever. But no one is going to force you to be a Kid Tiger. I have no idea why you are crying."
And the instructor told me he was clearly not ready and we would talk about it later. And we kind of dropped it and we moved on with our lives. Because I'm not a Tiger Mom. And because I really don't care what the hell this kid does with karate. He is not going to be a Sen Sei or whatever. It is a fun after school activity that burns some energy and helps with self discipline and self control. If he likes it, fine. If he wants to quit, fine. Especially since I drive 30 minutes each way. We are not going to cry about MOVING UP A LEVEL. Sometimes this kid is weird.
And Sunday, after his belt test, he said to me, unprompted, "I think I'm ready to be a Kid Tiger now."
And I was reminded, again, that Michael does things in his own time. He always gets there. It is just not always a straight line. I'm trying to remember this as I watch some kids soar ahead in reading and writing. Michael is progressing, but not at the lighting fast speed of other kids.
He always gets there.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Love love love that last photo! Go Michael!
Getting there is all that matters, Jodi. It may take some kids a little while longer, but they get there in the end. Well done to Michael on his green belt!
Yay Michael! I took TaiKwonDo in college and felt like a such a kid every time I passed a belt test. Who knew giant fabric colored belts could make you so happy. I never made it to green belt – way to go kid!
That is a great thing to remember. One of my boys is one of those lightning fast kids at academics but we continually have issues in other areas. Totally normal but sometimes it’s hard for me to remember when other things come so easy.
Congrats Michael.
I don’t have any direct experience with karate, but everything I’ve read/heard has said that it’s great for kids’ discipline and self-esteem. It sounds like Michael is an excellent example!
He looks so happy and proud.
Sometimes I forget about letting them do things in their own time. Then they surprise me with something like this, and I’m like… oh, right! Yay for Michael!
Every time I read a post about your son, he reminds me a lot of my own. Crying about moving up a level seems very much like something my son would do. I’ve been thinking of putting him into karate as I’ve heard it can be good for kids to learn some discipline, etc. It sounds like it’s working for Michael. I think that’s great.
Isn’t it a shame that we even WORRY about how they aren’t reading and writing at “lightning speed” like others when it isn’t even a REQUIREMENT in Kindergarten! Sight words, yes. Simple phrases, yes. Writing some, yes. Fluent? Absolutely not. Yet, since the pressure in some areas is that of super-students, those of us with path wanderers end up constantly questioning our own child’s success. What a shame. I am glad that you see the awesomeness of your son, even if sometimes it takes a bit of reminding.
He is really an amazing kid.
He sounds so like my third son who also does everything in his own time.
Congratulations to him!