#SelfDefenseSaturday

Our kids go to karate several times each week. They study Mixed Martial Arts at their dojo. And I absolutely LOVE it. I love that my kids are learning to defend themselves against different attacks. I love watching them learn and practice. 

Stu was a police officer, so defense is something he takes seriously. He wants the kids to be prepared for anything. It's important to me too, but for reasons I don't want to discuss now. 

The kids view karate as "fun." They both like going. They love their instructors. They like learning. They both love that they can see the progress they make when they work hard. And yes, they know they are learning to fight. Yes, they know these moves can be used to fight off an attacker. It doesn't scare them. It doesn't bother them. I don't know if it's because they were Law Enforcement kids for so  long (the idea of "bad guys" is very real in a LEO house) or if it just the blunt way Stu and I deal with that stuff. The reason doesn't matter. 

Even though I spend a lot of time at the dojo, when I hear the term "self defense" I think "guns." 

The plan for this past Saturday morning had been for me to take the kids to karate. Stu and my family (sisters, their spouses and my dad) were going to go to the gun range. But Rea wanted to go to the range too... and honestly, so did I. So the kids and I crashed their outing. 

The kids were awesome. All things considered. It was hot and loud in the range. It was our first time (me and the kids) to a gun range. It took a few minutes to get our bearings. The kids had wide eyes. I thought Buddy might start crying right off the bat. But they just sat back against the wall and waited and watched. 

Rea was excited to try. She shot off a few rounds with Stu. Then Buddy wanted to. He was not going to let his big sister show him up. 

We had a great time. Both kids liked Aunt Steph's rifle. And Rea said we really need to go there more often... like at least once a year. 

Thinking about going? Check out their website. 

Palm Beach Shooting Center