By Rochelle E. Brenner
One mom looked her daughter in the eye and said, “It’s not a matter of if you will ever need self-defense. It’s when. And when that day comes I hope you’re able to use what you learned in karate.”
Her 12-year-old daughter looked back at her and said, “Are you sure? I don’t think anything will happen.”
And her mom replied, “Unfortunately yes I’m sure. On a bus, on the subway, on a date, during a break-up, at college, walking home, when you’re out with friends. At some point, you’ll encounter someone you need to get away from. On that day, all of this training will have been worth it.”
What’s your one thing that will make all this martial arts training worth it? For instructors, this mom’s answer truly resonates. We teach every class to build that child’s confidence for “one day.” There will never come a day that your life depends on whether you can make a basket, or score a goal. But underneath and weaved into all karate training is the need for self-defense. That “one day” might be screaming, running, one swift strike, pulling away, or a quick decision that never turns into a trauma.
For some parents, the goal is fitness. For others, it’s positive social interaction. For you, what’s the one thing – the most important thing – you can get out of martial arts for your child?