Dear Moms, Dads, Relatives, Educators and Business Owners!

I have very sensitive children with gentle souls. I call them my flower children. They would have fitted in so easily to the hippie era. I can easily picture them in a caravan style community (the way the interest rate is going and our bond keeps increasing a caravan home community could be a consideration) growing veggies and happy with just sand, water and sticks as toys. My son can make up a game out of anything he has scrounged up off the floor. He is happiest on his tummy, on the floor, picking up old broken bits of whatever he comes across, giving the junk names and personalities and playing a game. Getting rid of old, broken toys (or bits of broken toys) in our house is like giving away a best friend!

My children do not like rough and tough games. They do not cope well with being bumped about. My nephews on the other hand are very tough boys and my two year old nephew often delights in making my children squeal and cry. I have tried to make them understand that if they react to being bitten or hit or pushed about, the child picking on them will keep on doing it. However, it is just not in their personalities to remain calm and refrain from crying when picked on or even fight back.

I decided to enroll them in karate classes in hope that they will learn to defend themselves by the time they reach high school! (They are now 4 and 5 and a half). The Sensei was hesitant to let my son join his class as he usually only accepts children from 5 years. He decided to let him attend three classes to see how he coped. Well I think we found his natural talent. He has picked up the karate moves so quickly and I have never seen him so enthusiastic (or seen him move so quickly) about anything besides his junk collection. The Sensei was impressed and has allowed him to stay in the class.

The 5, 6 and 7 year olds are so adorable in their karate outfits. They kick and box the air and shout Kee-aah! The Sensei makes them do a lot of exercises like hopping, racing around on hands and feet, balancing games and plenty of running too. When my kids get home after a karate lesson they are hungry and exhausted and getting them to finish dinner and go to bed early is a breeze.

Has it toughened up my children? Well it is too soon to tell, but on Wednesday evening we arrived home in the dark and my son wanted to pick up the post by the gate. I told him it was not a good idea to do so in the dark because there could be baddies about. He said: "Don't worry mom, I will just karate kick them in the winkie!"

Take care
Cara

Charlie Bit My Finger again... This month we have a very popular You Tube video where little Charlie delights in inflicting pain on his brother. And of course, the kids' favourite movie trailor of the season - Kung Fu Panda. This one is for your kids to watch.