“A few seconds can make a BIG difference…” Sometimes as parents we respond with too much anger, and that can be harmful and cause regression in our child’s behavior. When you take a few extra seconds before responding to poor behavior, you will make better parenting choices, and ultimately help your child develop better behavior […]
Have you ever had to deal with tantrums…. especially in public? Just to let you know, your child most likely didn’t start their day with the intention of throwing a wrench into your target trip with a good ol’ fashioned meltdown. A tantrum is never fun, but it’s especially frustrating when you’re trying to enjoy […]
One of the things I LOVE about the culture in our school is that we have some amazing parents that are always positive and looking for ways to help their children succeed. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of training some great kids who were supported by their amazing parents and I always like […]
Can you guess the secret to a long and healthy life? It’s not expensive vitamins or pricey gym memberships. The answer is actually much simpler – eat better! By making small changes to your diet, you can drastically improve your health and well-being. Many of us know that our best days are the days that […]
Parents, we all want our children to grow up with good manners and be respectful. Sometimes it can get challenging when their little personalities start coming out and they don’t know how to control themselves. As a parent, I’m sure there’s at least ONE situation that comes to mind where your child displayed a lack […]
How long does it take to earn a Black Belt at Life Skill Martial Arts? Best case scenario: 4 – 5 years 4 – 5 years of consistency. 4 – 5 years of challenging training. 4 – 5 years of dedication. 4 – 5 long years. 4 – 5 years is not an “activity” we […]
Working to strengthen the connection with our loved ones is something we all want and we all can do. I know there are a lot of parents who feel like they’re just not as connected with their kids as in their past. It can be hard to find time for one another, when parents work […]
One of my friends asked: “Why do you pay so much money and spend so much time for your son to do martial arts?” Well I have a confession to make: I don’t pay for Martial Arts! I don’t pay for my son’s martial arts lessons. I don’t pay for his focus mitts….. or uniforms, […]
Do your kids have a hard time staying on task? Are they constantly getting distracted and unable to focus, even when you’re not around? It’s normal that children will experience issues with concentration as childhood progresses; after all no two people mature in exactly the same way! And who hasn’t seen an underperforming child […]
There are so many things to worry about as a parent – sleep, feeding, clothes, playdates. In the past ten years, there’s been a growing concern for parents. Children suffering from anxiety is not uncommon these days. The world can be a scary place to live in, and it’s hard to know what the future […]
It is becoming more and more apparent that no one is to blame for everything that happens. So, if this is the case, how do we get ourselves in such turmoil if no one is responsible? Although this seems ridiculous, the use of “blame-shifting” has become the go-to way of justifying mistakes. When we have arguments or […]
Parents have always served as the first, and typically, the most important role model for their children, even though family members, teachers, and coaches have a significant impact on a child’s development as well. However, in the wake of the pandemic, these people have had less of a presence in children’s lives which ultimately left […]
Your child needs to know that no matter what happens, you are always going to be a consistent parent. Maintaining consistency means that you are going to be patient, connected, adaptable, and edutaining with your child all the time so your child knows what to expect from you and you know what to expect from […]
The news can be full of scary stories and information, especially for children. Our current situation has brought about even more concern for everyone in the world. If adults are feeling panicked, imagine how children must be feeling. And no matter the age, children can be emotionally affected by the news and begin feeling anxious […]
Let’s face it, conflict is hard and is bound to happen no matter what ground rules are put into place. Whether it’s on the playground or right in our own homes, children will clash. And while it can create challenging situations, it is a normal event that occurs between children. This is why conflict resolution […]
Being a nurturing parent means adjusting your child’s behaviors, not trying to change them. In other words, change the behavior, not the child. 1. Let them Know that Mistakes are Okay I get excited when my son makes a mistake because it gives me the opportunity to teach him, which is what parenting is all […]
By the time kids get to Middle School, the end up falling into one of these three basic groups: 1. THE FIRST GROUP IS THE LEADERS. These are the kids that think for themselves and make decisions for themselves based on what is right. 2. THE SECOND GROUP IS THE FOLLOWERS. These are the […]
Be the parent your child needs you to be. They need you to be in their world. That means interacting and playing with them on their level to prompt them through the tasks and chores they don’t want to do. Here are some tips and examples on using effectively using edutainment with your child. Practice Healthy […]
Stress is a significant part of our lives today. And while we all experience it, children and teens have a more difficult time managing it. Academic pressure, social tensions, family stressors, etc. all impact a young person’s mental well-being. For this reason, it’s important for parents to help their children develop coping skills by guiding […]
How can you set your child up for daily success? One of the most effective ways to do this is to focus on prompting instead of punishment. Here’s what you need about prompting your child toward good behavior and decisions: 1. Friendly Competition One of the ways to prompt your child toward good behavior is […]
Power is very important! It is one of the principles in the Martial Arts. Without power your kicks and strikes would be useless. If you cannot generate power, an attacker would just laugh at your feeble attempts of self-defense. Generating power gives one a sense of immense confidence. But as Uncle Ben told Peter […]
Bullying has become an epidemic in recent years. Yes, there have always been bullies, and yes, those bullies have always caused serious and lasting damage to their victims; however, bullying in the 21st century has changed – and not for the better. According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in four students has reported […]
We live in a competitive world and most parents would jump at the chance to give their child every advantage imaginable. The world can also be unkind and, as parents, we feel a need to protect our children from everything possible. And yes, parents are supposed to help and protect their children but when does […]
Studying the martial arts makes kids less destructive because it helps them control their movements. Now, you might be thinking, how can learning how to break a board with their hands help kids be less destructive? I know it seems counterintuitive, but it is true. Young kids don’t have the same motor control that adults […]
Which scary scenario are you agonizing over the most? Fear Of: Getting sick from Covid Your child being able to stay masked Other kids keeping their mask on Administrators enforcing the mask mandate Kids ability to hear and communicate and behave with a mask on Getting childcare after a sudden school closing or quarantine Getting […]
Every child desires to be loved and treated with so much value. When it comes to children, every little thing counts. Tracy had her first child in her middle 30’s after waiting for years. Being the only child, she decided to take it open herself to pamper her child, showing her all the affection she […]
Parents are an essential element to their child’s success in anything. The enthusiasm and support, or lack thereof, of a parent can make or break a child’s accomplishments. At LIFE SKILL martial arts, it is even more essential that parents be involved as part of the teaching team since the LIFE SKILL system applies child […]
Many times I think the parents of the newer martial arts students look out at the floor and see the instructors and black belt kids and say: “Man, I wish my kid tried that hard and looked like that!” I have even heard parents say “I wish my son was as focused as that little […]
LEADERS ARE READERS There are a few common habits that the most successful people keep. One of the most common is that they are voracious readers. The goal of LIFE SKILL classes is to help kids become the most successful versions of themselves. While our main tool for spurring development is age-specific martial arts training, […]
Have you ever tried to ask your 7 to 9-year-old, a question or to make a decision under pressure? Or worse, had them try to tell you a story in a limited amount of time? “So this one time…. You know how like, sometimes, if you like, like sometimes… I mean, yesterday, like this one […]
At Life Skill Martial Arts in Millbury, Massachusetts, I’ve had many people come up to me, over the past thirty years and tell me how impressed they were with their child’s development in the ares of confidence and communication. Our students take turns leading their small groups, practicing how to stand tall, use a clear voice […]
Every month Martín’s parents took a trip to see Grandma and came home on the same train the next day. One day the child said to his parents: “I’m already grown up. Can I go to my grandma’s alone?” After a brief discussion, his parents accepted. They stood with him as he waited for the […]
A healthy diet is essential for kids’ physical and mental health. Meanwhile, the busy life style and convenience food have impacted kids’ health negatively. The adverse effects on their health may continue to leave their marks till adulthood and develop weight gain and other problems. Therefore, it is essential to get kids to adopt better […]
Do you ever feel like you can read your child’s mind? You know what they are going to do or say next because they have had the same reaction before? This is attunement. Improving your attunement skills will allow you to create a more patient and understanding relationship with your child. […]
Hey Friends and Families, The times when children are the most responsive and happy are when they are most connected with their parents. Everything from getting down on their eye level, physical touch, and committed attention makes a big difference. When it comes to fostering self-discipline and self-esteem, children need CONNECTION more than anything else! […]
Did you know that many, many, many years ago some martial arts were taught in secrecy? Schools like Life Skill Martial Arts in Millbury, Massachusetts did not exist. Most students trained solely for self-defense and meditation. At that time the other benefits of martial arts training like focus, discipline, body awareness and motor skills were […]
In a world that highly values the traits of extroverted individuals, shy children are often assumed to have something wrong that needs to be fixed. However, shyness is simply a personality trait that is part of their temperament. Children are born with unique personalities, although the environment can play a significant role in how these […]
Fear of public speaking (Glossophobia) is a common form of anxiety. It can range from slight nervousness to paralyzing fear and panic. Many people with glossophobia avoid public speaking situations altogether which can lead to anxieties, depression and living a lower quality life. Our goal here at Life Skill Martial Arts in Millbury, Massachusetts, is […]
Here at Life Skill Martial Arts in Millbury, Massachusetts, we communicate with parents on daily basis. Over the years we discuss many topics regarding martial arts or karate training for kids and teens. One of the many benefits of training in our martial arts classes is the bully defense aspect. Often, I ask parents if […]
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