Give a child a job and watch their pride and confidence grow. Leave a child to be waited on hand and foot and watch his incompetence grow. We have a saying here at Credit Academy of Martial Arts, “ My mom is NOT my maid”. It’s critical to your child’s confidence that you let them feel the pride of some level of self sufficiency. Tying their shoes is a"Kodak" moment we all can remember, as well as riding their bike for the first time without training wheels. It’s all great success.

Now, imagine still tying your child’s shoes when they’re 12, or running along side their bike when they’re 12. It’s ridiculous in other less obvious areas as well, like clearing their plate after dinner,their bed in the morning, brushing their teeth, getting their jacket on, or picking up their toys! We should continue to expand their"jobs", preparing them for success at college, work and eventually marriage.
From laundry to bed making: Make it activities that are age appropriate and list them on a chart so the kids know what you expect. Follow-through, coach and encourage. You’ll be glad you did.

Can you imagine, which should be easy today, a teenager that can’t do their own laundry, cook a basic meal, clean up their room correctly or balance their cheque book?

You can teach your kids responsibility. You can do it. It just takes a little of what I call having a"Parental CIA" mentality. CIA stands for ConsistencyAction, by having patience, persistence and knowing that you are preparing your children to be good, honest, contributing in society.

Don’t steal from your kids…I can remember my first job. My first pay cheque. Can’t you? The pride and self sufficiency that comes from earning yourown way, becoming a responsible young adult. I teach the martial arts and the kids earn belt levels, I have seen a great explosion in kids’ confidence when they begin to do this.

Our martial arts belts system (the "chore chart") a great example of what I call small steps to success. We have 12 belts to earn before black belt and there are four tips (3 black and one red) that the student earns per belt level. When the student accomplishes their required skills they earn a tip on their belt. When all four tips are earned they qualify to test for the next belt level.

So don’t give your kids money for nothing, let them earn it, they will value it more and they will grow dramatically.
Need a chore sheet? Send me an email or call me and’ll be glad to get you one of theCredit Academy of Martial Arts family chore sheets.
Have a great month,
Christopher Doyle, 7th Dan Kyoshi
cjdoyle@pathcom.com
PS Also, when kids at the Academy earn their orange belt they qualify to be a member of the Junior Black Belt Club. Besides many increased benefits of training like enhanced focus, unstoppable confidence and better grades they become members of our leadership development team called S.T.O.R.M. club. S.T.O.R.M. stands for Special Team Of Role Models and the kids assist classes as "Belt Buddies" for the beginners. The teens love the program since they can use the assisting as volunteer hours!

Again, it is our way of helping the kids develop character with "chores" (being leaders and mentors to the younger kids) and it is great to see the happy faces when they have helped one of their belt buddies earn a stripe or new belt!

Read More Tips Parenting Tips by Chris Doyle Online

Mr. Doyle is a 30 year veteran of the martial arts. He has been teaching and educating men, women and children of Mississauga since 1986.  He is married and he and his wife, Lesa (also a black belt) , and have two children, Charles (12) and Alexsandra (8).

Academy of Martial Arts, Port Credit
www.dojoworld.ca

 

 

LE LECHE LEAGUE CANADA - (Mississauga Group) Mother to Mother breastfeeding support every 2nd Saturday of the month. For more details call (416) 483-3368.

MOMS TIME OUT - Clarkson & Meadowvale - A chance to get out of the house and meet other moms in the area. Childcare available. Email: Momstime@sympatico.ca

MOCHA MOMS - Port Credit - Need a break. Moms group meets every Wednesday.  Babysitting available. Email for more details h.m.r@sympatico.ca

ROUNDABOUT FAMILY CENTRE  -  Parenting & Baby Groups - Monday mornings 9:30am—11:30am, Tuesday afternoons 1:30pm to 3:30pm (Free) Baby Wearing and Attachment Parenting Group - Friday mornings 9:30am to 11:30am (Free)Breastfeeding Mother’s Group - Friday afternoons 12pm—2pm (Free) Call (905) 274-9561 for more details.

ADJUSTMENTS AFTER BIRTH PROGRAM a service offered by the Mississauga Parent Child Resource Centres and supported by Peel Health can provide you with support and services to help you find your way. Peer support group to help you difficult times. Postpartum depression affects 1 in 5 women. You're not alone! Mississauga West location is held at Meadowvale Town Centre in the Ontario Early Years Centre. They meet weekly on Wed from 1 - 3pm. Group facilitators and babysitting available. Call (905) 567-4156 for more details. Mississauga Southlocation is held in the Ontario Early Years Centre at Turtle Creek Plaza, Clarkson. 1801 Lakeshore Rd W. They meet weekly on Thurs. from 1 - 3pm. Group facilitators and babysitting available. Call (905) 822-1114 for more details.

 

The Mississauga Parent Child Resource Centre operates the Ontario Early Years Centres in the south at Turtle Creek Plaza in Clarkson, Byngmount School, Port Credit High school and Sheridan Villa Nursing Home. We offer drop in as well as many programs for parents/caregivers and children 0-6 years. Visit our website www.mpcrc.ca or call us at 905-891-7621 for more information about our programs. The drop in and all our programs are FREE. One very important program we would like to highlight is our support group for women having difficulties with postpartum adjustment. Share your feelings and experiences in a safe and supportive environment and learn strategies to help you cope during this challenging time of adjustment. If you are experiencing any of the following : restlessness, sadness, loss of interest, extreme irritability or anger, crying for no apparent reason, overwhelmed, join us Thursday 1-3 pm. No registration required. Just drop in. You are not alone.

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