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Voice of the Fox
The Newsletter of the Martial Arts Training Service

Confessions of a Judo Mom
by Debbey Myers
Winter 1997

I didn't realize it was happening to me. It was subtle, and it took a couple of years, but I turned into a Judo Mom. What are the telltale signs? How do you know if it's happening to you, too? Here are some of my symptoms:

• My sons began to learn the days of the week by which days were Judo days.
• "Dojo" was one of the first words my twin daughters said.
• I found myself yelling "Mate!" at my children and the dogs.
• I actually call out throws to the boys when they are in tournaments.
• I am thinking of lying about the twins' age so I can enroll them in the Martial Tots class early.
• We think it's perfectly normal to install judo mats in our house.
• Our whole family yells "Ippon" when someone falls down on their back.

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? Then you may be a Judo Mom or Judo Dad. Just relax. It's okay. The truth is, I'm very proud to be a Judo Mom. Judo has been a great experience for our family.

My older son, Paul, was painfully shy when he started judo. He used to cry whenever John came onto the mat. Instructors John and Maureen were always patient and encouraging with Paul, and I have now seen him transformed into a more comfortable and self-confident person. Now Paul is totally devoted to judo. No opportunity that comes up can interfere with practice. Once, when our car was stuck in a snowbank, Paul insisted we find a way to get the car out because he didn't want to miss judo practice.

When my younger son, Scott, joined the Martial Tots class, Paul came along and helped. He really enjoyed this and has decided his goal is to get his black belt so he can teach a class. I told him he should work on getting through second grade, but it's good to have a plan.

Unfortunately, Scott didn't quite fit into the Martial Tots class at first. His size has always been larger than his attention span, and because he was used to wrestling around with Paul, he came across like a bull in a china shop. John and Maureen were very kind and suggested that Scott try the kids' class one day a week. (I suspect they were worried that their insurance wouldn't cover him in the tots' class.) To all the senseis credit, they hung in there with Scott while we waited for him to mature a bit. I'm happy to report that he's got his act together and is now a member in good standing of the kids' class. He has even begun to go to tournaments and is hoping to "get as many medals as Paul."

For our family, judo has been all things to all people. It has helped Paul come out of his shell. Through tournaments, he has learned to be a gracious winner and a good sport when he loses. Judo has helped Scott focus, and to tone down some of his dramatic antics. I'm also convinced that my two-year-old twins, Wendy and Melissa, have picked up some techniques just from watching their brothers.

I'm also happy with the side benefits of judo. My kids are on their way to a physically fit lifestyle. Judo has been great exercise for them, and they have gained the discipline of working out three times a week. (It also keeps us off the streets three times a week.) I also noticed that, when they took ice skating lessons, my children didn't get hurt like some of the others because they knew how to fall.

I hope that more parents consider becoming Judo Moms or Judo Dads. I can't say enough good things about judo and our experience at Fox Valley Judo Club.

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