KARATE (5 YRS OLD)

S has enjoyed Karate over the last several months. She has three black stripes and two yellow stripes on her belt and will test for her yellow belt on August 5. S has really enjoyed the class. Momma sees that learning karate has helped increased her confidence, both internally and externally. She has more external confidence because she knows she can (sorta) protect herself. She believes she is "strong." Internally, she has more confidence because she's been able to demonstrate positively her skills when called upon.

Believing that she is following daddy's footsteps has also encouraged her. She often talks about daddy's black belt and being a black belt like daddy. More than that, karate is something she and daddy can bond together with.

P.S. S has decided to stop dance this summer (and perhaps indefinitely). Some of it had to do with missing so many dance class in April and all of May, making her fall behind the other dancers in her class. Despite some parts of the class being fun, the skill level was getting harder and she was having a hard time with it and found it discouraging. Momma couldn't get her to practice outside of class. Momma's a little disappointed but on the other side, it is one less thing for S (and momma) to do. S just wants to have fun dancing and momma thinks that's the important part. Maybe, some day she'll pick it up again, but now there' still plenty on her plate: karate, piano, and gymnastics.