With our increasingly busy lifestyles, many parents are looking for ways to spend quality time with their children when they finally get a chance to take a break from their hectic schedules.
According to experts, while it is important that children are allowed playtime by themselves and with other children, parent-child bonding is essential. You might be thinking that you already have a natural bond with your child, but as children grow older, it is important you continue to nurture this bond.
As with any type of relationship, a parent-child bond is defined by mutual respect and consideration of each other’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. In an unhealthy relationship, either the child or the parent’s needs are not being satisfied, which of course can lead to misunderstandings and even resentment.
Whether or not you think you have a healthy relationship with your child, bonding activities are always important not just for establishing a strong relationship, but also maintaining it.
1) Develop Mutual Respect
Martial arts training involves strict rules. Students are taught to respect their teacher and fellow training partners. Students are also expected to be on-time and properly attired for each session. The very nature of the training includes listening for and following instructions.
During sessions, both parties bow, shake hands or touch gloves as a sign of respect for each other, before engaging in any kind of sparring. As a result, both parents and children learn to listen to one another and pay attention to each other’s reactions when they’re away from the martial arts gym.
For children, this can also improve their behavior towards authority figures and their peers at school. Parents and children also gain more respect for each other as they see each other persevere in the gym.
2) Improves Communication
During any kind of training, communication is very important. A good martial arts teacher ensures that his/her students understand all instructions being given and allows room for questions. As cliché as this might be, communication is a two-way stream. This helps martial arts students to develop effective communication skills as they become better at listening and expressing themselves. Parents and children alike learn how to listen to each other as well as express themselves in a way the other party will understand.
Your martial arts lessons will also give the two of you one more thing to talk about.
3) Boost Confidence
When training martial arts, you move up the ranks based on the amount of work that you put in. Each level accomplished is usually awarded a new belt and more intense training. The awards and rankings are publicly displayed for peers and others to see and acknowledge. Additionally, as you move up the ranks, you might also be given the responsibility to help train younger or newer students by your trainer. This improves your self-confidence and leadership skills.
In addition, the self-defense skills you learn during training will also give you and your child a confidence boost. A confident child will find it easier to relate to his/her parents and vice versa.
4) Improves problem-solving skills
Precision and focus are essential to defeating an opponent during martial arts training. You are expected to react in a calculated manner to your opponent’s moves in order to achieve victory. While sparring, you are required to think on your feet. You won’t necessarily have the luxury of time to plan extravagantly. This improves your child’s ability to make good decisions even when under pressure. It will pay dividends when your child is at school tackling math problems and other subjects that require analytical skills.
5) Improve Self-Control
Martial arts training requires lots of self-control. You have to pace yourself during sparring sessions, and you have to make a conscious effort to follow the rules when competing so that you are not disqualified. You will also have to be disciplined with your training to achieve constant improvement. The self-control you and your child learn will carry over to other aspects of your lives.
6) Develop Goal-Setting and Decision-Making Skills
Martial Arts training is never a one-off thing. It is something you will have to make time for and train consistently. The training, as well as its merit system, teaches children how to set and achieve goals. It teaches them how to prioritize tasks and make informed decisions.
7) Reduce stress
Martial arts training engages the physical as well as the mental part of our being. It’s a physically intense activity, and it will keep you in excellent shape. While you exercise intensely, your body releases feel-good chemicals that reduce stress.
Training will give your child a break from the stresses of schoolwork, while you get to take your mind off whatever is bothering you. That makes it easier for you and your child to have productive conversations instead of taking out your frustrations on one another.
You’ll also sleep better at night after a few hours of martial arts training.
The benefits of training martial arts with your child are endless. The two of you will become closer, and you’ll both learn values that will be beneficial in the real world. Sign up for a complimentary introductory class to learn more about how martial arts is a great bonding experience for you and your child.
For more information on our Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes servicing Frisco, Prosper, Little Elm, and McKinney, please request more information at the top of our website.