Last October, we enrolled our kids in Jui Jitsu. The boys like wrestling and boxing, so I figured they would take a shine to it. However, the girls like being girls, and I didn’t expect their immediate passion for the sport. I started it off with a group sit-down to explain that there would be no more fighting at home, that would be reserved for the gym, and I impressed upon them that they must do their very best, give it all they have, and never give up the fight until their opponent submits or the coach tells them to stop.
Seven months later the Goodlad crew is still training four nights a week and can’t get enough. All of them earned their fourth stripe last Friday. At home they talk about the technique, get on the floor, and work on drills until they get it right.They pump iron in the garage and run with Ana and me whenever we go. They don’t like losing but they know they learn the most when they get dominated. Surprisingly, our little girly girl princess Cadence is a beast on the mat and enjoys manhandling everyone, including boys and girls, and few in her group look forward to rolling with her. Kwamane is naturally athletic, flexible, and fast and he absorbs the lessons quickly. Cadence has been helping her coaches teach the younger class and both her and Kwamane have been moved to an advanced group. All of them but Cadene have taken up Muay Thai as well and I am certain she will join them soon. Yep, I am a proud dad.
We chose fight sports for our kids because the experience offers so much that benefits them. They learn discipline, hard work, and the rewards that come from that work. Jiu Jitsu is different than most martial arts. They are rewarded for ability and character and not just for attendance. They have learned to respect their coaches and fellow students. And they have learned humility and through that hard work and discipline, they have developed confidence. Our kids are very well behaved but they are far better people from their Jui Jitsu experience. They work harder on their schooling and they don’t get intimidated by challenges or difficult situations.
There is no downside other than the time commitment. But it’s time very well spent. They don’t have devices and they have very little time to sit in front of a television. They are athletes now so they prefer to be outside on their bikes or scooters, or running and playing tag or soccer or swimming or at the beach. It’s so much better for their minds and bodies.
We told them they could try it for a month, they fell in love, and I suspect Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai will be a part of their lives for a very long time.
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV
