I watch the ripples change their size

But never leave the stream

Of warm impermanence

So the days float through my eyes

But still the days seem the same

And these children that you spit on

As they try to change their worlds

Are immune to your consultations

They’re quite aware of what they’re going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

(turn and face the strain)

Ch-ch-changes

Dont tell them to grow up and out of it

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

(turn and face the strain)

Ch-ch-changes

David Bowie

 

 

There is one word in the English language that scares people more than Jason from Friday the 13th popping out from behind the couch. It is only one syllable, yet adults run and hide from it. Webster’s dictionary defines it with only three words, yet it sends shivers down our spine. What word could contain such power in only six letters? CHANGE!

 

In 1492 Columbus proved that the earth was a sphere, and all records were changed to reflect that. Right? Wrong! The entire generation had to die off before it became it became accepted. By the early 1900’s it still took 50 years from invention of any superior product to market domination in the industrial world.

 

Today we live in a much faster paced world. It was only 5 years from the introduction of CD’s until the death of the LP album. Clearly we have become much better at accepting change. Right? Wrong! It still scares us, I think Mark Twain put it best when he said “The only person who likes change is a wet baby.”

 

It is said that “knowledge is power,” so next week I will empower you with the reasons we fear change so much because it is hard to develop a great attitude unless you are willing to……CHANGE!

 

ASAH

for more information comment here, call 1-888-99-SHARK(74275), or email us actionkarate@comcast.net

Action Karate is pleased to announce a new program that is being offered for children with broad spectrum disorders.

The idea for offering a specific program for a broad spectrum of Autistic children, came from one of the parents that trains at Action Karate 9 .5 years ago, , who has an Autistic daughter, who is entering her teen years.

“One day my student dropped by my school with her daughter and she walked around the studio with her,” commented new a  parent, “she was very excited and interested in the mirrors and the pictures”. We asked her to do a couple of basic kicks and she did really well. The next time she brought her to the studio, she had her put on a karate uniform, and she was laughing and couldn’t wait to get into the car and come to the studio. This is when the idea hit us; why couldn’t we tailor a program of martial art’s for kids with Autism?”

After a few visits, the girl’s ABA board certified therapist started coming to the studio, rather than the girls house, to help develop a curriculum and structure for her.

The goal of this program, , is to help these children find an outlet for their pent up energy. I know some parents are going to be concerned about their child learning how to kick or punch, therefore think they will be more aggressive, but we have seen giving the child an opportunity to exercise, will actually help them to relax. Just like any child or adult, these kids have a lot of energy and they don’t have a way to use it. In addition, the martial art’s is all about learning self discipline, focus and concentration and I do not believe we should treat our Autistic children any differently. Lastly, we hope that these classes will provide a social setting for these children to meet and have fun with other children.”

Action Karate has had experience working with children that have Asberger syndrone and severe ADD or ADHD and has seen some wonderful results with these children.

The goal of this new program is to tailor the curriculum to each child and target the areas they need the most help with, , Action Karate also understand that we will need to be flexible with each child and work with the parents to make this a successful program!

Action Karate is donating all of April for a free an evaluation lesson to see how to structure the program for each child.  This will give parents or caregivers the opportunity to meet the instructors and to experience our classes before making a commitment to our program

If you are interested in learning more about this new program, please contact us to find the school closest to you 1888-99-74275

            As parents, we often times feel that it is our job to take care of everything. Our children, our spouse, our home, our jobs—it can become very overwhelming. It is important to take time out of your busy schedule and devote time to yourself to regroup. Do not expect too much of yourself or of anyone else, because this will only lead to you becoming frustrated or disappointed.

            Sometimes you just have to say “no” to extra projects or activities because you can not fit it into your schedule. It is more important to spend time with your children and family than it is to make every social engagement you receive an invitation to. Also leave time everyday to do something you really enjoy, whether it is watching your favorite show with your kids, talking to your best friend or going for a bike ride. Not only will this give you something to look forward to each day, but it will make your day seem less worrisome.

Leaving time for yourself to relax and think will help keep you sane during a hectic day. Disconnecting the phone or letting the answering machine field your calls can let you relax without interruption, whether you are reading, sleeping or taking a long bath.

            Use your weekend as a change of pace. If your work during the week is usually slow, use the weekend to put the plans you’ve had into action and really get things done. If you have a busy, fast-paced workweek, use the weekend to unwind and relax.

            To stay relaxed during the workweek, make sure you are getting enough sleep, even if this means going to bed a little earlier than you would like. Throughout your day, get up and stretch periodically to maintain an active blood flow. If you are feeling tense, relax your muscles and take a few slow, deep breaths. Sometimes being stressed about a job actually keeps you from getting the job done, so it is important to step away from your work every now and then. This will ensure that you are more productive at the times when you are at work. No matter how much work you have to do, always take a lunch break. A healthy lunch will give you the energy that you need for both your body and your mind.

            Children may need to unwind at the end of the day, too. Practice this technique with your children at bedtime. Take an empty glass jar and label it “worries.” Keep it next to your child’s bed and have them whisper their worries and fears from the day into the jar right before they go to sleep at night, putting the lid on tight so that the worries can’t escape. Come up with a way to get rid of the worries like dumping them out the window or down the drain. This will not only comfort your child but allow them to drift off to sleep more easily as well.

This week receive a $100 Gift certificate from Action karate just write why your family needs to reduce stress to actionkarate@comcast.net

Learn more at

www.actionkarate.net and

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Belt-Parenting-Solomon-Brenner/dp/0974630802/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7396940-6424000?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173459223&sr=8-1

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Usually when we feel discouraged, we try to find an outside source that can make us feel better. Whether its talking to someone who we feel can give us a pep talk, reading a motivational book or listening to an uplifting song, we try to find the encouragement we lack in other people and things. Sometimes this is enough. Surrounding ourselves with positive people can often be a way to become more positive ourselves. However, that is not always the case.

Sometimes no matter how much time we spend around positive people, their optimism just doesn’t rub off, and can even sometimes have the opposite effect we want. Just because someone has a positive outlook doesn’t mean they are good at giving encouragement. Sometimes a person is positive because they give encouragement. In other words, what you give is what you get back.

This means that one of the best ways to feel good about yourself is to give encouragement to others. Encouraging others who are in need of motivation just like you can improve your outlook dramatically. So the next time you are in need of encouragement, encourage others. The encouragement you give out could come right back to you.

Learn more at

www.actionkarate.net and

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Belt-Parenting-Solomon-Brenner/dp/0974630802/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7396940-6424000?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173459223&sr=8-1

We all want our children to eventually become independent and to make good choices all on their own. While they may not always make the right choices every time, making mistakes isn’t as detrimental to their personal growth as a parent who makes all their decisions for them. A child who has been taught to be confident in their choices will be able to resist dangers like peer pressure and bullying. So how do you teach your children to make the right decisions? It all starts with empowerment.

            Empowerment means your child feels like he has some form of control over his life and that he can make his own good decisions. Obviously, letting a four-year-old make all their own decisions isn’t a good idea (unless you are okay with ice cream for every meal and no bedtime). However there are different ways you can empower your child at any age.

            For younger children, empowerment simply means letting them make a few small decisions that make them feel confident about themselves. For example, instead of serving them carrots with dinner, give them a choice between carrots and broccoli. In this case, either option they choose is a decision both they and you can feel good about. Giving them the power of choice makes them feel like they are in control. Something as small as letting him pick out which shirt he wants to wear can improve your child’s self image.

            For elementary aged children, from around age eight to age 13, empowerment is all about trust. Children at this age crave their parents’ trust. Knowing that you trust them to do something makes them feel more mature and responsible. Showing your children you trust them means you may have to let go a bit more than you’re used to. For example, instead of calling them to check up on them when they are home without you, leave it up to them to call you. This is a small step to take that gives you some piece of mind while showing them you trust them. The older they get, the more trust you should show them. They should always earn your trust by following through with the responsibilities you have given them.

            Once your children reach high school age, most of the values you want to instill in your children are already in place. Now your job is primarily to guide them in making the right decisions and be there for them when they need you. At this stage empowerment is all about respect. You teenager wants to know that you respect him. This means showing respect for their choices even if you don’t agree with them. The type of music they listen to or the clothes they wear may not appeal to you, but it is important that you respect their individuality. This will enhance their self image and enable them to respect you and others.

            Giving your child choices, trust and respect is crucial for their development and for their safety. A child that feels empowered and confident knows how to say no, how to stand up to a bully and how to avoid peer pressure. Does this mean your child will always make the right decisions? Of course not.  We all make mistakes, even adults. It is your job as a parent to help guide them in making good choices and, unfortunately, to help them understand the consequences of bad choices. You children should know that they can go to you with any problem they feel they cannot deal with alone. When you empower your children they feel confident that they can do that without feeling embarrassed.

Learn more at

www.actionkarate.net and

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Belt-Parenting-Solomon-Brenner/dp/0974630802/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7396940-6424000?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173459223&sr=8-1

If you have identified that your child is a victim of bullying, your big dilemma now is how to make it stop. Any number of valid solutions from going to the bully’s parents to notifying the principal are good options, but you want to make sure you go about it in a way that strengthens and empowers your child without furthering abuse.

            Talk to your child about what he wants to do about the situation. He may want to try to work things out on his own before you step in. Talking about it with them may even lead them to come up with their own idea of how to handle the problem. It’s good to give your child this space, but let him know that if it continues you will have to step in.

            If you do have to step, you should first contact the school. Appropriate disciplinary action against the bully or an anti-bullying program at the school could help rectify the problem. If it doesn’t, a non-confrontational meeting with the bully’s parent might be the solution. Think about how you would feel if you knew your child was a bully and approach them accordingly. Parents, not schools, are most responsible for their child’s behavior.

Learn more at

www.actionkarate.net and

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Belt-Parenting-Solomon-Brenner/dp/0974630802/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7396940-6424000?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173459223&sr=8-1

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It seems that when June rolls around, children are drawn automatically to water. Whether it is a pool, lake or ocean, kids and adults alike spend their days waterside, keeping cool and having fun. While this can be a great way to spend those sweltering summer days, safety should not be ignored.

            Drowning is one of the biggest summer risks for children 14 and under. Children can drown in as little as one inch of water, so no matter where they are swimming, they should be supervised closely at all times. While it is easy to be distracted by guests or a summer read, keeping a close watch on your children while they are around water is important, especially if they are younger or do not know how to swim. Drowning accidents can happen quickly, so be aware of you children at all times.

            Children should start being taught how to swim around age four. Even if you children can swim, they should still be supervised when they do so. If they are diving into the water, it should be at least nine feet deep.

            Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, more commonly known as CPR, is a good skill for any parent to have. As children get older, they should also be certified. CPR could potentially save your child’s (or somebody else’s) life in an emergency.

            When on a boat, make sure your children are wearing a regulation life jacket at all times. They may resist, but it is important for their safety. You and other adults on the boat should wear the life jackets as well to set a good example and show your children that there are no exceptions to the rule.

            One of the most dangerous things when swimming on a beach is a rip current. A rip current pulls water away from the shore, but can also pull swimmers and waders far out into the ocean as well. Supervise your children especially when they are in the ocean, but teach them the procedure in case they do get swept out by a rip current. Swimmers die most often due to rip currents when they try to swim back to shore and become exhausted. If you or your child gets pulled out by a rip current, swim sideways, parallel to the shore, then slowly and calmly make your way back to shore.

            You should also look out for strong tides and waves and make sure that your children do not go too far out into the water. Waves that tower over your children can overtake them and cause you child to become disoriented or, depending on the depth of the water, cause them to hit their head on the sandy bottom. Spending time in the water can mean lots of fun, but make sure safety comes first.

Learn more at

www.actionkarate.net and

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Belt-Parenting-Solomon-Brenner/dp/0974630802/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7396940-6424000?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173459223&sr=8-1

Communication plays a vital role in each person’s day-to-day life. We communicate to express needs and emotions, relate news, share information and create a bond with others. How a person interacts with others determines the quality of his life, because we are communicating even when we do not realize it. 60 percent of all communication is nonverbal, and only seven percent of communication is the words we choose. The rest is our tone and body language.

Think about the way you can read your child’s body language. The eye roll, the pout, crossing his arms, stomping away. None of this is verbal and yet you obtain the full meaning of what your children are saying. When your child stares into space during class or looks down at his feet when meeting new people he is sending nonverbal messages, whether it is intentional or not. For that reason it’s important that your child understand that he is speaking even when his mouth is closed.

For example, making eye contact with people or shaking the hand of a new acquaintance shows your child is confident. Keeping his body turned toward the teacher and eyes focused on her shows he is paying attention. What he does to communicate is equally important as what he says.

Learn more at

www.actionkarate.net and

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Belt-Parenting-Solomon-Brenner/dp/0974630802/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7396940-6424000?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173459223&sr=8-1

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How many times have you thought to yourself “I’m going to lose some weight first and then tone my muscle”? This idea seems to make logical sense, but in reality it is the opposite of what you should be doing. Because fat stores more calories than muscle, your body sees fat as a more valuable energy source; therefore when you decrease your calorie intake your body saves the fat as an emergency energy source, lowering the rate at which calories are burned and using muscle for energy instead.

            For this reason it’s important to exercise as well as lower your daily calorie intake. When you exercise you build muscle, sending the message to your body that it’s growing rather than starving and that it is safe to burn body fat. Building muscle also speeds up your metabolism the way adding another cylinder to an engine can speed up a car.

            While it’s a good idea to reduce your calorie intake, you don’t want to eliminate fat completely. Your body needs fat in order to burn fat, so a health intake of good fats rich in Omega 3, 6, and 9. The foods you do eat should also include foods from all food groups, including 5 to 6 servings of fruit and/or vegetables a day.

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In the summer there is ample time for your child to take part in almost any activity he can imagine, whether it’s tennis lessons, the swim team, or Karate classes. While activities like day camp can be a savior for working parents, you don’t want to lose the opportunity summer affords you of getting more involved with your kids.

Talk about their day at camp at the dinner table. Involve yourself so that they want to become more involved. If they learned something new or interesting, ask them to share it will you. Maybe you could go out in the yard and play a new game they learned, or take them to the playground for batting practice.

            Shannon Bowers connects the lessons and skills her daughter Haile learns at karate even after class is over. “Besides the positive influence the class has given her, as a family the class has also brought a lot of discussion to the dinner table. With the couple of minutes that discussion is being held during class on a topic or situation we then continue to discuss it later and how it relates to Haile or the family,” Shannon said.

Learn more at

www.actionkarate.net and

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Belt-Parenting-Solomon-Brenner/dp/0974630802/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-7396940-6424000?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173459223&sr=8-1