Indomitable Spirit

It was Bryce's second class. His enthusiasm for his martial arts training was absolutely stunning. Bryce is 7 years old. I have been teaching Taekwondo in Boise for 16 years, and have had the opportunity to see martial arts touch people's lives in such positive ways.

I'm happy to say, that I have been touched by Bryce's positive energy, and enthusiasm to learn. In fact, his enthusiasm is so radiant, I believe we can all benefit from it. You should see Bryce punch, and kick, or even just bow. Even if you've been in martial arts for several years, you'll be astonished at how he puts his heart into every detail of what I am teaching him.

I can't actually remember the last time I've seen a student be so intense and excited to learn Taekwondo, especially at the age of 7. I'm 100% convinced, if you saw Bryce kick, you'd be completely amazed by his focus and determination to hit his targets. You see, Bryce has Spina Bifida, a birth defect involving the neural tube. He trains, temporarily, in private sessions with his walker, that I call "hotrod", until he is able to join the regular group.

I believe Bryce has a story... a story that will reveal, with years to come, many chapters of perseverance and indomitable spirit. Bryce reminds me that there are no such things as limitations, just excuses. John Foppe, motivational speakers, who was born without arms says, "Even if I had the longest, strongest arms, there's only so high I would be able to reach..."

Although I am a teacher for Bryce, I believe he too is a teacher for us all.

Respectfully,

Duncan Richardson

"Come On... One Drink Is Not Gonna Kill Ya"

For the past few years I've been doing a lot of pondering on a particular question. In my opinion, it's the most important question parents need to be concerned with. How do we teach our kids to make good decisions?

We can provide positive activities for our children, we can raise them in a healthy environment, monitor who their friends are, and ensure they're receiving a good education, but there are factors that will be thrusted upon them whether we like it or not. Every single day, somewhere a teenager is given the opportunity to make a decision on whether or not they're going to try smoking, drinking, sex, etc. Kids will also attend basketball games and football games, then pile into cars and head over to a friend of a friend of a friend who's parents are out of town. The bottom line is this- no matter how we raise our children, we will never be able to protect them from the tough decisions they'll have to make. At the same time, nor do we want to protect them, as hard as it may seem. It's these lessons that will make our kids stronger, so long as we give them the tools to succeed.

I believe we must arm our kids with the ability to make good decisions and with the confidence to follow through with those decisions. I'd like to do this blog a little differently. I'd like to hear your comments on methods you feel we could use as parents to arm our kids with the ability to make good decisions. Simply click on the comments button below this post. You can either put your name or post a comment anonymously.

I can't wait to hear from you!

Duncan Richardson
Chief Master Instructor
The Academy of World Taekwondo
Ph: 208.381.0587
http://www.FreeKarateLesson.com

Help! My Child Wants To Quit!

A parent asked me the other day what she should do about her son who said he doesn't want to come to Taekwondo. The comment by her son really surprised her. It surprised me, too, because this particular boy is doing really well in Taekwondo and has made terrific progress in terms of self discipline, focus, and self control. In the past 16 years of teaching martial arts, I've gotten this question many times.

First, it's tough for me to answer this question without a parent feeling like I have a vested interested in them staying in the program. So let me start by saying this. Not all students or parents want to be in our program. I will also say this, I don't try and stop all people from quitting our program.

Second, I now have kids in our program and can understand more accurately what parents deal with on a regular basis when their children say they don't want to go to Taekwondo. Several years ago I had a student in our program who was doing very well. All of sudden he didn't want to go anymore. Dad came in and told me that they were quitting. I asked him if he thought the program was valuable to his son, and he said yes (as if he would say "no" to my face). By the way, I'm much wiser now and I realize if a parent allows their children to quit something, it's because they DON'T see the value in it- bottom line. I asked him if he would let his son quit the 3rd grade. I don't think I've made a lot of parents made at me, but this was one of those times when I most definately did.

I don't care what your child is involved with, be it- church, soccer, basketball, Taekwondo, the 3rd grade, if you let them quit, you don't see value in it. And, there is nothing wrong with that- I'll explain. My son, Isaac, doesn't want to play soccer this season. He wants to play t-ball. My immediate thought was "huh?" I've been playing soccer since I was in the 1st grade. I am still playing, which reminds me- I need to pay my registration fee. There are three things I want him to get when playing soccer, 1) a sense of teamwork 2) learn commitment to a team 3) develop a skill through discipline and practice. Other than that, I cannot think of any good reason why Isaac needs to continue playing soccer. Can he get these things in t-ball? You bet! He can also get them in football, basketball or practically any other team sport. Sticking with the sport for the entire season goes without question also.

When I say, there is nothing wrong with not seeing value in something, I mean there is nothing wrong with it if there is truly no value in it or the value can be replaced with another activity. So would you let your child quit the 3rd grade? Most likely not. Hopefully because you see too much value in it. For some parents, they don't see enough value in it, so they homeschool. My point is, school is a crucial part of a child's development.

I also believe that our program is a crucial part of a child's development. Taekwondo is not in the same category as a team sport or even an individual sport. I've played sports my entire life and know for a fact that the skills we teach in our program are not the same that are taught in sports. These skills aren't even really taught in school. That's why we exist. The things we teach-focus, self discipline, goal setting, leadership and respect are not taught in school, they're expected. Also, many parents don't know how to instill confidence in their children, that's why help. A confident child will: stand up to bullies, get better grades, and achieve more in life. I know because I've seen students who teared up everytime I spoke to them and then grow up to be a highly confident & successful individual. Do I believe we had something to do with that? You bet! Mom and dad think so also.

I remember the day when Isaac said he didn't want to go to Taekwondo. Rachel and I looked at each other and we knew exactly what the other was thinking. I can't remember my exact words that day, but I can tell you that I made sure not to bat an eye. I responded the exact same way when he said he didn't want to go to pre-school. I value both things... differently, but nonetheless equally. Once Isaac realized that pre-school and Taekwondo was a way of life, he has never asked to stop again. My children will participate in various sports and will be involved with many activitities, but the one constant they'll have is the education they receive from our martial arts program.

To be completely honest, I believe our martial arts program should be required for every child. We're working on getting our program to as many students as possible. Imagine, a community with youth that are more focused, disciplined, respectful, goal oriented, and confident.

How to Handle a Child That Wants to Quit an Activity

1. Do you value the activity? Take a good hard look at what your child is involved with and determine if this activity will enhance your child's future.

2. Don't force your child to do something. ReinFORCE them. Continue to talk about the benefits of an activity and the progress your child is making. If you reinforce these positive attributes, you won't have to force the activity on them.

3. Have discipline. Your child only stays home from school when they're sick, right? It's the only time they should miss their activity as well. If you're wishy washy on your child's activities, they'll be wishy washy on their commitment level as well.

4. Lead by example. This is a classic example of walking the walk. Either get involved with your child or show them that you value a very similar activity for yourself.

What things do you do to help keep your child motivated for an activity?

Duncan Richardson
Chief Master Instructor
The Academy of World Taekwondo
Ph: 208.381.0587
http://www.FreeKarateLesson.com

Zoey Addilyn Richardson

Well... some people have asked how come I wasn't in my uniform in the last picture of my blog. Here it is. As a matter of fact, it's the only picture I could find with me, Rachel, and Zoey, in my uniform at the hospital.

By the way, her name is Zoey Addilyn Richardson. If you like the name, I'm proud to say that I came up with it.

The other photo is of Rachel being taken out of the ambulance at St. Al's. Nonetheless, I'm thankful everything went smoothly. To this day, I still don't know why I never called pulled over. The funny thing is, I got pulled over today... at Bogus Basin... for going 25 in a 15. The police officer wasn't even in his car when he pulled me over. He was on foot and ran after me waving his hands. I thought he needed help, until he asked for my drivers license and registration. I didn't get a ticket because he was "in a good mood." Anyhow, if you're ever driving from the lower lodge to the upper lodge be aware that the speed limit is 15 mph.

Duncan Richardson

Who Said Uneventful Births Are The Best?

When it comes to delivering babies, Rachel can get them out fast! Isaac came within 6 hours, and Reese came within 4 hours. So we're thinking, the moment there are contractions, we're loading up and heading to the hospital... no if, ands, or buts!

Rachel's due date was January 30th, according to the doctor. Her own calculations said the baby should be here Feb. 5th. Sure enough, January 3th rolled around and Rachel started to have contractions. Excited as all get out... we get our instructors lined up for that day and head to the hospital- just to be told that we need to go home and wait for contractions to pick up again. The nurses said, "you're close... I wouldn't be surprised to see you later tonight."

Well, nothing happened later that night, nor the next night... or the one after that. Really, we just wanted to avoid Groundhog's Day. You know... the whole mole being scared by it's shadow and going back inside for 6 more weeks thing.

We escaped Groundhog's Day and the contractions began again, this time at 1 am Sunday. This was it!!! So we thought... Really, it was the same thing as before. As soon as we got to the hospital room, all contractions subsided. We head home, again, but this time with clear instructions to come back only when contractions are 4 minutes apart and stronger.

Okay, a few hours later, the contractions are stronger, but they're definately more than 4 minutes apart. Following the clear instructions, we go about our day. I met with instructors, I head out to Eagle to teach an after school program at Eagle Hills when I got the call that I better come home. No need to worry though... contractions are still erratic.

It's about 4:45 pm, and Rachel is at home, in our downstairs bathroom having pretty strong contractions. I'm halfway down Eagle Rd. talking to Rachel on the cell phone when we're in the middle of determining whether this is the real labor or not. Suddenly, I'm no longer talking to Rachel, but rather her mother. She promptly told me that they're going to load her up right now and take her to the hospital and to meet them at St. Al's.

There I was, on Eagle Rd. in rush hour traffic, at least 30 minutes away (technically the illegal lane changes I made and the speed I was going- 20 minutes). I'm literally helpless. So, I did what any calm father would do, I called 911.

911 Dispatcher: 911, please state your emergency.
Me: Yes, hello. My wife is going into labor...
911 Dispatcher: Let me transfer you to paramedics
Paramedics: Paramedics, what is your emergency.
Me [frantic]: My wife is going into labor. She is with my mother-in-law who is driving her to the hospital.
Paramedics: Are you with them now?
Me: No, I just got off the phone with my mother-in-law and she is getting her in the car and I'm worried they'll need an escort to the hospital or possibly an ambulance to meet them halfway.
Paramedics: Okay... I'm not sure how we can help at this point. Is there anyway we can get in contact with your mother-in-law so we can guide her through this process should anything happen on the way to the hospital?
Me [frantic again]: No, because I don't have her cell phone number. I do know the route they're taking to the hospital, though.
Paramedics: Okay... Actually... we just received a 911 call from 2618 Shoshone. Does that happen to be your address?
Me [hysterical]: Yes, yes! Oh crap!
Paramedics: We've got units on the way already. It looks like they weren't able to get loaded up.
Me: Okay.
Paramedics: You can help us. How old is your wife?
Me: 29
Paramedics: Were there any complications with this pregnancy?
Me: No
Paramedics: Is this her first child?
Me: No, third.

The questions went on and I finally made it to the freeway. I felt like a caged cheetah being released into the wild the moment I hit that open interstate. I remember being thankful for the fact I was going inbound when the 5 o'clock traffic was literally stopped bumper to bumper going outbound. I was thankful for many things at this moment. I was thankful that we had wonderful neighbors that were helping watching over Isaac and Reese upstairs. I was thankful for my sister who sent my brother-in-law up to the house because he was only a few minutes away (I beat him there from Eagle). I was thankful for Bob, Mr. Walton, Mrs. Krake, Mr. Dinko, Kendal, Mr. Gus, Jill and Wendy who kept the academy open and running smoothly in my absence.

The sand on the road didn't help as I rounded the turn onto Shoshone. I could see the firetruck and the ambulance parked out front. The medics and firemen also saw me as I came fishtailing around the corner. As I zoomed up, they all had dirty looks telling me to slow down. "I'M THE FATHER!!!" "Oooooh!", they said. They proceeded to tell me that mom is okay and...

IT'S A GIRL!

Luckily, I got there when I did. 10 seconds later and I would have missed the ambulance ride to the hospital. I got the rest of the story in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Evidently, Rachel never left the bathroom, but rather found a cozy spot right on the floor. It's your typical downstairs bathroom with limited space. Although, we found out, it's capable of holding a laboring mother, a mother-in-law, 2 firemen, and 1 medic in the doorway.

The fire department was the first to arrive. Zach, a young fire fighter who has never delivered a baby, came in as our baby girl was crowning. At that point, the paramedics arrived and coached Zach through the rest of the process. It was a perfect birth!

Nonetheless, the experience was absolutely priceless. Even more priceless were the looks on everyone's faces as we made our way from the ambulance to the delivery room. It was Rachel on a gurny, our baby girl on her chest, and her entourage of paramedics, firefighters, and some guy in "Karate suit." Let me tell you... our baby girl created quite an entrance (pun intended).

Baby Girl (we have plenty of boy names picked out since we were certain that's what we were having)
Weight: 7 lbs 1 ounce
Height: 19 Inches
And, healthy!

Respectfully,

Duncan Richardson