Sunday, September 21, 2008

Karate class scheduling in my world

Every other Friday, my honey and I have both set of kids. In terms of schedule, the 11 year old is a white belt junior, her class is at 4:30. The 9 year old is a brown belt also in the junior program so his class starts at 5:15. The 14 year old (15 in less than a month) is in the adult basic class which starts at 6:15. And I'm in the Adult advanced class which has Friday night Happy Hour (as we call it) at 7:00 to 8:00. What to do?

I love my solution. I take the adult beginner class with my daughter at 6:15 so that we can all have dinner together around 7:15.

In her class, I'm the lead student (being a black belt) followed by the next highest ranking student (my daughter at orange), her best friend, and the rest of the class. It's great being in class next to her. So great. And, although the class is less intense than mine, it gives me a workout and a chance to focus on basics and details. Also, although I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, since the class isn't that hard, I leave feeling really energized rather than really tired.

What don't I love? It's hard watching all my classmates come in during class and start stretching out for our class. I'm very aware that this class is not challenging and by nature, I tend to prefer challenging. And I'm slightly embarrassed when they see me leaving just as class is starting. But, there is a season for everything and I'm very happy with my choice.

My 14 year old will soon be 15 and more relevantly, she'll only by in the beginner class for a short period. She's an orange belt with a stripe so sometime this fall, she'll get her purple belt and be scheduled in the same Friday night happy hour class with me. So, it's only for a short time.

Honestly, I love the classes with her. It doesn't get better than this. I can't wait for next Friday night.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

When you take the beginner class, do you get credit?

BBat50 said...

You know, I don't think I do. I pulled my card a few times and now that I think about it, the instructors laughed when I turned it in. I don't take class for credit so it's OK with me. And I can see their point....

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful you have ' cool that you are into martial arts.

Anonymous said...

We're really lucky because my wife, my daughter, and I are all in the same class so there is no scheduling issues. Our classes are refereed to as the "adult class" but its all adults, teens, and kids brown belt and up. My wife and I often end up acting as instructors for the lower belts or the kids simply because we're there 4 days a week and therefore well ahead of those who only come once or twice a week. I don't mind doing some instructing but sometimes I feel mmy wife and I don't get enough instruction of our own because we're busy teaching instead of learning.