J started doing a mixed martial arts class a while back and I just want to say that it's probably the best investment I've ever made in that child. Not only did he earn his first sticker this week (Get this... In SELF CONTROL!!!..), but his teacher pulled me aside this week and told me his behavior has been much better in school. He is focusing better, saying, "yes ma'am," when he is spoken to, and he's just been a different kid. Now I'm not saying he's doing that well every single minute of the day. He's still a boy and he's still got his mom's attitude for sure, but he is obviously improving. He goes to class twice a week and they are very big on self-control, self-respect, and discipline. It's exactly what he needs. The instructors obviously care about these kids, but there is a time for work and a time to play. When it's time to work they are expected to focus and do their best. If they manage to make it through class without several interruptions, they get to play a game at the end. This week they played dodge ball and once J caught on he thought it was the best game ever invented. It took him a good 5 minutes to figure out if it was really ok to be throwing balls at people though. You could tell the second it clicked in his head that he was being not only allowed to do this, but it's ENCOURAGED! He was like a little speed demon dodging balls and nailing kids on the other team left and right. I think mostly this class gives him an outlet for aggression and frustration. He gets to kick, hit, jump, and fight until he is sweaty and tired and ready to go home. It's kind of funny though because I was working with him one day and we weren't using the pads so he was directly kicking my upper leg. He had been told numerous times that if you do it incorrectly it can really hurt. It only took once of him hitting his knee on my leg to realize that wasn't the proper way to do it. He hasn't made that mistake again. Luckily (or maybe unluckily?) he has a mom who isn't a wuss and I'll get out there and fight with him the right way!
