In An Attempt To Keep DD Safe, I Nearly Killed Her

[barkley]

a bit ot, but how did she manage to finish highschool without doing phys. ed for 2 years (it's required here all 3 years and then again at least 2 classes to get your bachelors degree)?

if she sticks with it and does'nt want to be quite as sore after each (i assume weekly) session she might consider signing up for a jazz dance class-the stretching will help keep her loose and between both she will end up in top condition.

swimmings also good for relieving muscle pain-and it's great exercise as well.

 

[Feralpeg]

a bit ot, but how did she manage to finish highschool without doing phys. ed for 2 years (it's required here all 3 years and then again at least 2 classes to get your bachelors degree)?

if she sticks with it and does'nt want to be quite as sore after each (i assume weekly) session she might consider signing up for a jazz dance class-the stretching will help keep her loose and between both she will end up in top condition.

swimmings also good for relieving muscle pain-and it's great exercise as well.

She was only required to have two and a half years in high school. That counted 9th grade.

 

[ducklite]

Perhaps. She just turned 18. I wanted her to take the class and she agreed. I don't see that as a problem. If she didn't want to take the class, I wouldn't have made her do it.

Peg,

I agree, sometimes we do things for our "grown" kids because we want to hold on to being "mom" for a bit longer.

(I draw the line at making dentist appoitments these days though )

Anne

 

[disneymom3]

Barkley--at the highschool I went to, you only had to take phy ed sophomore year. I have neices and nephews that are in that same school system and it is still the same way.

 

[barkley]

Barkley--at the highschool I went to, you only had to take phy ed sophomore year. I have neices and nephews that are in that same school system and it is still the same way.

man, i know some kids who would love to transfer out of some schools around here-they have to take phys. ed from 7-12th (or 2 periods of marching band) and failing just phys. ed can keep you from graduating (the class is the requirement not just the credits). for college you had to take either 2 phys. ed courses or 1 phys ed and 1 health ed or full day red cross first aide/cpr class. they only way to waive out of it was if you were over a certain age you could take 2 health ed classes.

i'm surprised with the big hooplah over how overweight/out of shape kids are that more schools don't have the same requirements.

 

[donnajon]

DS9 just got his black belt in karate. They only have one class for his group until you get to the adults - but the instructor is good at making sure the partners are paired equally. Or, if DS gets someone younger or a much lower belt, he tells DS to go easy on him.

 

[vsimeone]

I am the type of mom who worries about everything. So, of course, I'm worried about DD going away to college in the fall. I decided to sign her up at a martial arts place for self defense class.

First of all, DD is out of shape. She hasn't taken gym class in two years and the most strenuous things she does is a little dancing around the house. They started out the class doing jumping jacks and push ups. DD looks over at me like I'm the mom from you know where. She gets through that part and they team her up with another girl for the first self defense lesson.

DD is 5'2" and weighs about 110 pounds. They team her up with a very nice young lady who is almost 6 foot tall and probably has 20 pounds on DD. They start by doing kicks. DD is to hold this big pad thing while the other girl kicks it. DD braces herself and the girl does her first kick. DD is knocked at least 6 foot across the room. I was trying not to laugh because DD is doing that glare thing at me again. This continues several times before they switch places and it is DD's turn to kick. DD gives it her best effort. The other girl barely recoils. It was just pitiful!

Then, it was time for the partners to practice taking each other to the mat. They pretended to punch their partner, then fall to their knee and sweep the other person off their feet. Once down, the person who falls is supposed to try to grab the other person around the waist with their feet.

This time, DD goes first. No matter what she did, she could not put this girl down. I wanted to run over and knock the girl down myself because DD looked so frustrated! Then, they switch places. It took all of 10 seconds for the girl to knock DD down. In fact, she put her down really hard. DD's head smacked the mat really hard. She had her hair back in a ponytail which did not help at all. She had to sit for a minute because she was seeing stars!

Finally, DD was supposed to put her legs around the girls waist as the girl knelt in front of her. DD's legs wouldn't reach around the girl. So funny!

I don't know how great this class will be. There really isn't anyone else in the class near DD's size. Several of the men in the class are black belts! Today, DD can barely move. She told me she'd try another session, but if it doesn't go better she wants to quit. Now, I'm even more worried about her being able to take care of herself!

What a GREAT idea Peg! My dd is also going off to college in August and she is more like 5'0" and 100 pounds! BUT... she is a soccer player and will be playing in college. I've actually seen her take down some pretty hefty girls, and actually a few guys too, in games! Maybe with a few self defense classes, she can take down attacking men too!

Best of luck to your daughter!!!

 

[tnkbl]

I am sure that was hard to watch. I would have been rolling in the floor and my lip would have been bleeding.
Just think, she will be well prepared for anything!

 

[TDC Nala]

hey, even if it's good for self defense...I took karate for a couple of years and a long time after I stopped, I was running in my parents' backyard with the dog and he cut in front of me and I tripped over him. I went right into a perfect shoulder roll just like I'd been taught in class. I could have broken something if I'd landed any other way.

That stuff works. I should go take lessons again.

 

[Buckalew11]

Isn't your DD a little old to have you signing her up for things?

Hell, I'm 41 and my mom signed me up for tennis lessons this Spring! TWO SESSIONS!!
I just wouldn't have done it for myself and Peg, I must say, my experiences on the court sound much better than your DD's at her lesson on the mat!!

Good luck to her. I hope she stays very safe at school!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Self defense classes are great, and in a real emergency, you could be happy you have that experience

1. carry your keys out in your hand so you can poke someone in the eyes if they attack you.

2. Scream as loudly as you can. I've heard "Fire" will bring about more help than "Help" will, but that's a judgment call.

3. If all else fails grab, twist and pull.

I've also heard if someone wants your purse/wallet throw it as far away as you can and run in the opposite direction. If they want the money, they'll go after it, and you'll be safe. It's a lot easier to cancel credit cards than to fight off an attacker.

 

[dreamflight99]

Self defense classes are great, and in a real emergency, you could be happy you have that experience

1. carry your keys out in your hand so you can poke someone in the eyes if they attack you.

2. Scream as loudly as you can. I've heard "Fire" will bring about more help than "Help" will, but that's a judgment call.

3. If all else fails grab, twist and pull.

I've also heard if someone wants your purse/wallet throw it as far away as you can and run in the opposite direction. If they want the money, they'll go after it, and you'll be safe. It's a lot easier to cancel credit cards than to fight off an attacker.

These are great suggestions, all of them. As a female who was personally "attacked" on a desolate bike path while running (father's day...deserted too) some many years ago, I strongly suggest such a course and commend you for being PROACTIVE in this approach to your daughter's continued safety.

When the incident occurred, my brain immediately became overwhelmed with the effects of the norepinephrine and epinephrine which were coursing through my vascular system & into my brain. I stammered purposely, posing the question "WHAT?" to him (as he had asked me if I WANTED SOME as he grabbed me?). He appeared puzzled, paused and actually asked the same question again. This small and brief hesitation was all I needed to "kick-in" to the instinctive AUTO-MODE and turn the tables on this freak. It was the perfect "break" I needed and desired, and in his fearful adrenaline-induced state, he fell for it hook, line and sinker. It was the beginning of his demise as the predator in this situation.

I literally "fell-back" on my training and all the countless hours I had been on this path alone--and actually visualized/anticipated my reaction in this circumstance. I do this all the time. I visualize such encounters in my car, and even while alone in my own home. It is the ONLY way to ever begin to prepare the brain for the real deal. You must review your plans, and know where weapons, exits, etc. -- are in case of an emergency. Just as while flying on commercial airlines, the attendants prefer (actually insist--as it's the law to pay attention) you know where the exits are, oxygen masks, etc.--it's great to review such things in your home too. There are too many "what if's" to leave it all to chance. If you do not have a plan of some type, you will never be able to handle it when it happens. Preparation...is the only key to survival in such an instance.

It was almost a knee-jerk reaction, and I did little "thinking" and mostly REACTED to the threat/danger exactly as I had always envisioned. My brain took full control of my words and movements, and it was as if I was acting-out everything I had always reviewed/planned. It was amazing, and his fearful reaction/panic to my action seemed to only indemnify me...and make me react more aggressively and with much more confidence and force as each moment passed during the struggle.

I did the complete "opposite" of what he was expecting (according to the detectives). Every single second which passes in this situation is like sand through a bottle. The "power" either remains and grows with the perpetrator...or the VICTIM BECOMES the perpetrator (thus flipping the tables), which is what happened in my case. In order for the victim to survive, this must happen in the early seconds of the attack. If not..the tables/power swings too far the other way---making it nearly impossible to survive or get out of the predicament/situation. Decisions must be made immediately, while the seconds are ticking away early on in the encounter/attack. The FEAR element is high on both sides in the beginning, and the perp is counting on you to react a certain way. When you do not...it throws them, and changes the dynamics of the attack in every way. This is what happened in my case.

Therefore, it's always better to be safe than sorry---in any similar type of situation. It's only natural for you to want your daughter to be prepared, and you are brave for taking the steps necessary to help her in this endeavor. Some people choose denial, and just pretend everything will be okay, (as it always has...etc). Keep supporting her and following through. We live in a very dangerous world, where criminals and murderous predators lurk around every corner, literally. You can never be too safe/prepared. I applaud you for your conscientious efforts, as well as your daughter for agreeing to the lessons. What she has done in the past (w/regards to PE, etc) has little/no bearing on what she is capable of accomplishing tomorrow. She is young, and very capable of learning new skills through such a program. She may enjoy it enough to take-it-up in college (as most schools offer such courses). Stick with this. In the very least, you will sleep better at night while she is away in college.

Always,

DF99