Karate Has Been Chopped

Since this writing, the owner of Steel Dragons has indeed called back and we are working together to see if we can't re-ignite Zane's interest in karate.

"Zane, I called Steel Dragons and told them you are taking a break from karate."

Without missing a beat, he answers,

"Oh, I'm not taking a break.  I quit."

Sigh.

Prior to beginning our first karate class, I had a fantastic phone conversation with one of the owners of the studio I chose for Zane.  I spoke openly with her about the social anxiety that both my children have experienced when placed in new situations with children they do not know. 

People, it's real.  This is not a made-up struggle that I have concocted in my head.  Sure, I can be dramatic, but social anxiety truly exists, and both my kids have been working hard over the years to whoop its a^%.

I had high hopes that Zane would take to karate and that it would assist in building his confidence.

I have already recounted his first class and his rocky second class.  From that second class, Zane's interest began to wane.  He liked the punching and kicking, and did indeed want that uniform, which he earned after passing a skills test at his 5th class, but he was never quite able to conquer his fear of there being children in the class that he didn't know.  And ultimately, that was what fueled his quitting.

We are fine with his decision, for he is doing wonderfully in Kindergarten and couldn't be happier.

What saddens me is that I have not heard from the studio.

At all.

I have left two messages - one after missing a class and also realizing that his uniform was too big and we'd need  to swap it out.  See, glitches like a wrong size only add to Zane's anxiety, and thus, I called to ask if they could have a new one ready for him. The first one was also missing its white belt - glitch #2.  In my message I shared that he was acting "iffy" about returning.  Sure enough, at that next class, they couldn't coax him onto the floor, although they did a beautiful job trying.  Zane and George left the studio before class had even ended, leaving the uniform there.

To their credit, throughout the 5 classes that Zane took, the instructors made several attempts to help him through his fear.

And yet, after leaving that last class before it had even finished, and leaving a second message informing the studio that we wouldn't be back, I've yet to get a response.

This is where it gets hard for those of us with kids who are reticent to jump aboard the participation boat as easily as other kids do.  We need that instructor to partner with us, which is why I interviewed a few different studios before picking Steel Dragons.  My conversation with the instructor prior to Day One couldn't have gone better, and my decision was affirmed as I watched her execute the classes.

There are many people who truly shouldn't work with children.

These guys, however, are fantastic and they did everything they could to try and get Zane acclimated.

Which is why I'm a bit shocked they haven't returned my messages or called to check in.

Listen, I realize the world doesn't revolve around my kid.  And had I not shared our background, or witnessed how much effort they put in to helping Zane this summer, I wouldn't give it another thought.

It's the inner-teacher and customer-service lunatic within me that drives this post.

And the fact that I'm a Mommy who desperately loves her kids.

Moving on.

Dul/둘's a Charm

So far, so good.

Zane began Tang Soon Do classes at Steel Dragons last week.

To you it may sound corny, but I truly believe that God laid on my heart to look into Karate classes for Zane and then led me to Steel Dragons for that instruction. I looked into several schools, and found them all so large. Knowing my child as I do, I was certain that smaller class size would be essential. When I stumbled upon Steel Dragons, I had a holy spirit hunch that I'd found the place. After inquiring about classes I received a phone call from one of the owners, and was overjoyed to talk with her about her approach with the children which seemed so opposite from the intense structure and initial financial commitment I was finding at other studios.

Last week, the class consisted of her daughter, who is almost a black belt, and another young boy who had yet to receive his uniform. At this studio, uniforms are earned after 5 classes and a test. Zane thrives on that kind of thing. Today, he informed me that he only had 3 more classes to go to get his uniform.

Last week, Zane wouldn't go out on to the floor until Harper jumped in for the assist. They went out together. Then, Zane wanted me out on the floor. I didn't hesitate. I participated for part of the class and then quietly exited when I realized he was comfortable.

Today, he expressed that he was nervous because there might be new children in the class. This is exactly the type of hurdle that could block his enthusiasm and willingness to even try. BUT, the excellent gem of an instructor had left him with a task at the end of class last week, and Zane knew that it was important for him to bring to class the information that she would need for this week.

As we entered, he immediately told her that he had the information. And then, he sat with the class - even though he was the only child not in uniform (accept for the owners' youngest daughter who was trying class for the first time).

While he felt flustered during counting to 10 in Korean, another glitch that could send him running back to where parents were seated, he persevered. When the class moved out to the middle of the floor for warm-up and a trek through the jungle, Zane reminded his instructor that she had asked him to suggest that the class act like his favorite animal.  Lions.  This is complete evidence of a solid teacher - giving a child ownership and treating them as if they are an important part of the team.

After class, I asked Zane what he enjoyed most.

"I like the parts that don't make me worry."

"What do you mean, Zane? Which parts make you worry?"

"Last week made me worried. I was scared. This week, I did the whole thing."

"So you liked this part? Today's class."

"Yes. I loved it."

Can we all celebrate the fact that Zane actually participated in his FIRST "hobby" class outside of a preschool class? I know other kids take dance, t-ball, skating, etc. Zane never has, and like his sister, has been fearful of those environments. So today is officially a FIRST for him. Along with art classes, I'd say that my boy is beginning to embrace and actually attempt his interests.

We're looking forward to next week and are praying that class number set/셋 goes just as smoothly.

Way to go, Zane.