This piece was generously contributed by Diane Trifiro of Ohio Sports Academy. My name is Diane Trifiro and my husband and I own Ohio Sports Academy (formerly known as Hand to Hand) in Springboro, OH. When our son David, joined Hand 2 Hand in 1997 as a seven-year-old, it never ever entered my mind that one day we would own the gym that became a second home to him. David tried soccer and baseball but neither of those sports seemed a good fit for him, so when it was time to sign up for fall soccer we explored other options and since he was very flexible, gymnastics seemed a good fit for him. We tried one gym and we loved it there, but practice for team ended later than his bedtime so we had to look for other options. A new gym in our town had just opened and it offered a sport that we had never heard of before – trampoline and tumbling – and it was at that new gym that David found his home away from home, one of his first jobs and a goal to one day to own the gym. Fast forward to 2010 and the gym came up for sale – David was only 23 and unable to buy the gym, but my husband and I could, so we did! This summer makes our seven year anniversary as gym owners and even more exciting for us – our very last payment on our loan will be made in September! Our gym had good bones when we bought it and had an average monthly enrollment of about 500 kids. Seven years later we have grown to service almost 1000 kids each month.  We are expecting to enroll over 1100 kids for the very first time in January 2018. Some of the things that have allowed us to grow include moving to true month to month enrollment, the addition of NinjaZone in May of 2015, the ability to hire and retain staff members, and always treating our customers the way we would like to be treated. 1. The biggest change came for us in the spring of 2015. That spring we became a first adopter of NinjaZone (one of the first 25 gyms in the country to have NZ) AND we also went to true month to month enrollment. I cannot overstate the significance of that! We used to lose up to 35% of our kids in the summer because we dropped them at the end of May and parents had to enroll them for the summer and the same thing happened at the end of August. We were telling our families that our services were not a year-round commitment – what were we thinking?? This summer we only experienced a drop in enrollment of 7% from our peak month to August, which is normally our slowest month.  If you have not made the switch to month to month enrollment, I highly encourage you to do so – our results speak for themselves. 2. This increase in the summer enrollment has in turn greatly increased our revenue and our profit. That helped us do some things for our staff that were not possible before. We now are able to pay them for gym holidays. Our gym closes for Easter Sunday, Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day, Labor Day Weekend, Thanksgiving and a week to a week and a half during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. All of that time off is paid time off for our employees. They love having the time off and we love being able to pay them for that time off. In 2016, we were able to offer our employees who work more than 25 hours paid health insurance. In 2018 we will offer a paid retirement account for employees. 3. While the above two items were important in our growth, I think the most important thing we do is to treat our customers the way we would want to be treated as a customer. Our gym had policies that were just not very parent-friendly when we bought it. There was a 10 day written notice to drop a class and if it was not followed there was a penalty to be paid. We dropped that requirement – we ask that parents let us know before the end of the month that they are dropping – easy for them and easy for us – but we also know that parents are super busy and sometimes forget to let us know. So if they call us the first week of the month that they want to drop the class – we refund their money. Do we like to do that? No. But we think the goodwill that is given by not making a big deal about it goes a long way in that busy parent’s mind. We know that many of our families drop for a short period of time and come back and we don’t want to burn bridges by penalizing them for forgetting to make a phone call. 4. When a child comes in for a trial class, we walk them into the locker room to show them where to put their personal items and then walk them out to the floor and find a friend for them to buddy up with during warmups and class for that night. Makeup classes or open gyms are offered for missed classes. We appreciate the money that parents spend in our gym and want them to feel they are getting good value for their money. My husband and I plan to sell the gym to David and his wife in the summer of 2021, when we retire. My husband and I feel good about leaving them in a great position to be successful and can’t wait to see where they take the gym in the future! P.S. When I read this to David he said there is a mistake in the last paragraph – he suggested I change “sell” the gym to “GIVE” the gym to David and his wife. What a jokester!

A Response to “Can American Ninja Warrior Save Men’s Gymnastics?” A couple of months ago, a piece was written and then published on Deadspin entitled “Can American Ninja Warrior Save Men’s Gymnastics?” This is, NinjaZone CEO and Founder, Casey Wright’s response. I’m Casey Wright, founder of the NinjaZone. I’m super sorry we were out of fidget spinners. Those fidget spinners were fun, but actually, represent a big reason why NinjaZone has had such an impact on the amount of new little boys entering our country’s gymnastics gyms – and it has nothing to do with traditional boys gymnastics programs. Here at NinjaZone, we have over 250 gymnastics, cheer, and dance clubs that have adopted our program, each with an average of 250 Ninjas per club per year. That’s LOTS of little boys. It’s lots of little Ninjas. But why? The problem with building up boys At large, the needs of little boys are not being met. They’re not being met at school, at home, and now not even in sports. Parents and coaches alike have become so regimented in competition, training, scores, and keeping up with their neighbors’ kids, that they’ve forgotten to take a good look at what a little guy needs. According to studies, boys’ brains simply function differently than girls meaning that movement, confidence, and ultimately, success are interconnected. A little boy needs that fidget spinner because the chemistry of his brain simply demands it — and as a society, we aren’t giving boys enough time to…well, fidget. From my experience as a coach and a mother, I’ve seen firsthand the results of the feminization of education and gymnastics. Get a group of six-year-olds together and  I can pretty much guarantee that the boys are more likely to be the ones bouncing off the walls. They’re also the ones that are more likely to be put on medicine for hyperactivity, more likely not to pass the standardized test, and more likely to end up on a couch playing video games when they’re 14 because they’ve been burned out of sports due to crappy volunteer coaches and the complete lack of progressional teaching systems. But they aren’t the problem. We are. They want to bounce off the walls. So, let them. We have to build up boys starting with what they want. Movement sports are the foundation of the future Whether it be NinjaSport, Ninja Warrior, Parkour, Tricking, or any other “movement sport,” everyone should get over the territorialism and embrace the fact that we can help our nation’s children and the grassroots of ALL sports, and overall health and fitness, by simply by meeting the needs of our children. That was the intention when I painted the vision for NinjaZone & Ninja Sport. I’m a gymnastics industry veteran through and through, and I see how beneficial the “fundamentals” of the sport are to all movement. For 20 years, I thought I was teaching flips and twists, and driving towards titles and scholarships. What I was actually doing as a gymnastics coach was building confidence. Gymnastics teaches kids, from a very early age, that it’s okay to do things out of your comfort zone. My gymnastics gym was 95% girls. Our country’s boys just aren’t getting that same encouragement…especially now, when they need it the most! Parkour has done an amazing thing by bringing back the “discovery” of movement in the way it has. Funny thing, my 68-year-old-former-gymnast father watched a parkour video and immediately recognized a “cool move” as a standard gymnastics vault. He also commented that he used to jump from rooftop to rooftop in the city as a kid. Parkour is gymnastics at its roots. What Parkour showed me was that guys thought it was cool to flip. It also showed me that discovering your own body is a whole heck of a lot more fun than being critiqued every two seconds by a coach. Five-year-olds don’t follow fads and trends I’m sure it’s easy to assume that the NinjaZone was simply a smart way to make a few bucks off one TV show’s popularity. That would’ve been much easier than the truth. Contrarily, I had only seen the show once in 2013 and didn’t bank on it even being around. I thought it would be another American Gladiators and a flash in the pan. What I do know, is that 5-year-olds don’t lie, and they also don’t follow trends. They’ll tell you what they love…and they love NinjaZone! NinjaZone is a fusion of gymnastics, parkour, obstacle training, and martial arts for a reason. It’s meant to meet the needs of all children and is designed with the following foundations: Discipline and a progressive level system from martial arts Strength and agility from obstacle course training Discovery and creativity from parkour Confidence building, intermittent feedback, and progressions from gymnastics It’s all about the relationship What I also have seen in my time as a 2nd generation gymnastics club owner is that bounce houses, jungle gyms, and even trampoline parks, have a shelf life. That is because they lack purpose, variety, and the coaching relationship. Don’t get me wrong, the new Ninja equipment is awesome. It looks cool, it’s super fun and challenging (for a while), but then what? Do it faster? That’s fine for a teen or an adult, but our gymnastics businesses wouldn’t survive without our grassroots programming. Without the SPORT. The skills, progressions, and WINS you must have before throwing an aesthetically pleasing $10,000 piece of equipment in your gym. It worries me to no end that club owners in our space would take for granted the talent, passion, and skill that our gymnastics community has, and not use it! The fact that they would build what essentially is the “next bounce house” and give up the opportunity to truly make a deep contribution to the well-being of our next generation is concerning. We know fundamental movement better than any group on the planet. Looking at the bigger picture Through our licensed gym club community, we learned quickly how important the programming is. We learned quickly that kids running around in a circle and up and down a wall without a PLAN, is a house of cards. I think it’s awesome that American Ninja Warrior and the World Freerunning and Parkour Federation have given us this opportunity. Cheerleading gave us this opportunity 20 years ago, and many of us turned our noses up to it (me included). This time around, it’s so much bigger than rebranding and re-marketing men’s gymnastics. It’s about making it cool for boys to flip again, as well as climb, traverse, swing, jump, and conquer! Call it whatever you want. It’s great for them, and it’s great for us as a gymnastics industry. So, let them be a Ninja. Ninjas can be anything.

Childhood obesity has now become the top concern among parents in America. About 1 of every 3 children is said to be obese, a rate that tripled since the early 1970s. What can you do to make sure you’re raising healthy children? It begins at home with a healthy diet and a commitment to an active lifestyle. Here are some tips to keep your child healthy and where you can go for activities that are not only fun but provide much-needed exercise. Commitment To Nutrition A lifetime of healthy eating begins at a very young age. Hectic schedules make it harder than ever to focus on proper nutrition – it’s easy to just zip through the fast food drive-thru. But if you follow these tips, you’ll find a healthy diet for you and your child is possible. 1. Eat as a family: Eating as a family leads to healthier meals and children who eat with their families are less likely to snack on junk food. 2. Explore a variety of foods: It’s common sense to encourage a balanced diet including protein, fruits, grains, and vegetables. What isn’t often thought about is how offering a variety of foods can encourage healthy eating. 3. Lead by example: This is no time for the old “Do as I say, not as I do” line. You can be a role model to your children by displaying healthy eating habits yourself. 4. Let the kids choose: Giving children the hard sell on broccoli will likely be unproductive. Most young children are picky eaters and that’s OK. Offering a variety of healthy foods and letting your children gravitate to what they like will lead to good habits in the long run. 5. Don’t make it a chore: Nutrition can be fun. By allowing your children to be involved in food, they can connect with you and also feel ownership. Some ways to involve kids in nutrition include: planting a garden or picking fruit, arranging fruits and vegetables in interesting ways, or allow them to help in the kitchen. Once you have your family eating a healthy diet, everyone will feel good and be ready to exercise. After all, nobody feels like exercising after eating unhealthy snacks. Physical Activity According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, children and adolescents should get 60 minutes of physical activity every day. The CDC has recommendations for the types of exercise needed to raise a healthy child: Aerobic Exercise: It’s suggested that the majority of the 60 minutes of exercise be moderate or vigorous aerobic activity to build endurance and respiratory health. Moderate aerobic exercises include: riding a bike, rollerblading or walking, and hiking. Vigorous aerobics involve running, martial arts, cheerleading, or jumping rope. Build Bone Strength: Children should spend a portion of each day’s 60 minutes doing bone-strengthening exercises. These include: hopping and jumping, running and sports like basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. Increase Muscular Strength: It’s not recommended for young children to lift weights. Doing push-ups and sit-ups will do the trick, as will gymnastics and playing on playground equipment. As your child gets older, weight training can be introduced after proper instruction. This doesn’t mean you need a personal trainer and a heavily-regimented exercise program for your child. It’s important to encourage physical activities that are fun and age-appropriate. That way, getting exercise won’t seem like a chore. One way for a healthy child to have fun with peers while getting valuable exercise is to discover NinjaZone. With more than 250 licensed clubs worldwide, NinjaZone is providing children with a mix of obstacle training, gymnastics, martial arts and freestyle movement. Spending 60 minutes in your local NinjaZone club will provide your child with the aerobic and strength-building activity needed to be healthy, confident, and creative. NinjaZone recently launched a Baby Ninja program which is a Parent & Me class for walkers to age 3. For children ages 3-5, we have a Lil’ Ninja program that introduces by gymnastics, martial arts and obstacle training concepts in a way that encourages listening, confidence and exploration. For children ages 5-11, our Ninja Training program of flips, rolls, kicks and jumps provides necessary bone- and muscle-strengthening exercises. The Ninja Sport is growing. Find out what 80,000 healthy children are finding out, physical fitness doesn’t have to be a chore. By eating right and having a little fun with friends, your child can build healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Sources: Heart.org: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyKids/ChildhoodObesity/Overweight-in-Children_UCM_304054_Article.jsp#.WvD87dMvzOQ CDC.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/index.htm

Being a mom to a ninja kid can be an exciting journey filled with obstacles, adventures, and plenty of surprises. Your child's passion for ninja activities is an incredible opportunity to connect with them on a deeper level. Check out these 10 tips to build stronger relationships through the sport of ninja! 1. Share Their Passion One of the most effective ways to connect with your ninja is to take a genuine interest in their passion. Attend their classes, watch ninja competitions together, and ask questions about their training. Showing enthusiasm for what they love fosters a sense of validation and support. 2. Participate in Their World Consider joining in on the fun! Many ninja gyms offer family or parent-child classes where you can try out the obstacles and challenges together. This shared experience not only strengthens your connection but also provides a chance for you both to learn and grow. 3. Be a Supportive Cheerleader Whether it's a small accomplishment in training or a big competition, be their biggest cheerleader. Celebrate their successes and offer encouragement during setbacks. Your emotional support can help them develop confidence and resilience. 4. Listen Actively Ninjas are often filled with stories of their training adventures. Take the time to listen actively and attentively when they share their experiences. Ask open-ended questions to encourage them to express themselves, and be present in the moment. (i.e. what was a skill you thought you couldn't master today?) 5. Create a Ninja-Inspired Space Transform a corner of your home into a ninja-inspired space. Decorate it with ninja-themed posters, equipment, or a mini obstacle course. This dedicated area can serve as a reminder of their passion and a place where you can bond over training and practice. 6. Teach Life Skills Ninja training goes beyond physical abilities; it teaches valuable life skills such as discipline, perseverance, and goal-setting. Discuss how these skills can be applied in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication. 7. Set Goals Together Work with your ninja to set realistic goals for their training. Discuss what they want to achieve and help them create a plan to reach those goals. This collaborative effort can instill a sense of purpose and responsibility. Connecting with your ninja kid on this level helps them see your commitment to their success! 8. Encourage Balance While it's essential to support their ninja pursuits, ensure there's a healthy balance between training and other aspects of their life, such as school, social activities, and downtime. Help them manage their time effectively. 9. Be Patient and Understanding Ninja training can be challenging, and there may be moments of frustration or disappointment. Be patient and understanding when they face obstacles or setbacks. Your empathy and encouragement will help them stay motivated. 10. Share Your Wisdom As a mom, you have a wealth of life experience to offer. Share stories of your own challenges and triumphs, and how you've overcome obstacles. Your wisdom can be a source of inspiration and valuable life lessons! Connecting with your ninja kid is a rewarding journey that deepens your relationship and nurtures their growth. Embrace their passion, be their biggest supporter, and cherish the moments you spend together on this exciting ninja adventure!

The science behind kids participating in acrobatic sports like NinjaZone, gymnastics, dance, and yoga is multifaceted and encompasses various aspects of physical and cognitive development. NinjaZone believes these are critical foundations for children in not just sports, but in life. Here are some key scientific principles and factors to consider 1. Physical Development Muscle Development: Engaging in acrobatic sports helps kids develop strength, agility, and flexibility. The science behind this lies in the growth and adaptation of muscle fibers and the nervous system's ability to recruit muscle units effectively. Bone Health: Regular physical activity, including ninja-style movements, can contribute to stronger bones. Weight-bearing activities stimulate bone growth and density, reducing the risk of conditions like osteoporosis later in life. Coordination: Ninja sports require precise coordination of movements, which can improve a child's fine and gross motor skills. This development is linked to the brain's ability to process information and send signals to muscles. 2. Cognitive Development Problem-Solving: Ninja sports often involve solving puzzles and navigating complex obstacle courses. This challenges a child's problem-solving abilities, enhancing their cognitive skills. Focus and Concentration: Maintaining concentration during acrobatic performances is essential for safety and success. Engaging in these sports can help kids improve their attention span and focus. 3. Psychological Benefits Confidence: Achieving success in ninja sports can boost a child's self-esteem and confidence. This is linked to the science of positive reinforcement and the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, which are associated with feelings of accomplishment. Resilience: Ninja sports often involve facing challenges and overcoming failures. These experiences can contribute to a child's emotional resilience and ability to cope with setbacks. 4. Biomechanics Balance and Stability: The science of biomechanics studies how the body's structure and movement interact. In ninja sports, kids learn to control their bodies and maintain balance, which involves understanding principles like center of gravity and leverage. Injury Prevention: Proper technique and body mechanics are critical for injury prevention. Kids learn to move in ways that minimize the risk of injury, and this is rooted in biomechanical principles. 5. Neuroplasticity Skill Acquisition: The brain's ability to adapt and form new neural connections, known as neuroplasticity, plays a significant role in acquiring and improving ninja skills. Training and practice strengthen these neural pathways over time. 6. Social Interaction: Teamwork and Communication: Ninja class involves peer involvement and group participation. These activities promote social interaction and communication skills, which are essential for a child's overall development. The science behind kids in ninja sport encompasses physical, cognitive, psychological, and biomechanical aspects. These activities offer numerous benefits that contribute to a child's overall development and well-being. Find a NinjaZone location near you! theninjazone.com/find-location

Cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Oh, my! All of these are bound to happen at some point when you have a very active child. Especially in the Summer time! 1. Frozen sponge as an ice-pack You’ll need a sponge, some water, and a sandwich bag. Simply, take the sponge and let it absorb as much as possible. Then, take the soaked sponge and place it in a sandwich bag. Finally, let the sponge freeze in the freezer so that it is ready for whenever it is needed—no need to use loose ice or buy gel ice packs that can burst and become hazardous. You can make as many frozen sponges as you like and reuse them as well! 2. Use honey if you don’t have hydrogen peroxide Don’t have any hydrogen peroxide around to disinfect? You can use honey on minor scrapes and cuts. Honey has anti-bacterial properties which make it a great substitute if you find yourself without any antiseptics. 3. Soothe mosquito bites with a banana peel Rub the inside of a banana peel on the affected area. The sugars from the peel help to draw out fluids from the bite. Banana peels also help to stop the itchy sensation! 4. Try getting splinters out with sticky tape Tweezers and splinters can be a little scary for kids. If the splinter is small enough and superficial, tape can be an easy substitute. Take a piece of sticky tape and put it over the splinter. When you pull it away the splinter should come right out with it. 5. Use baking soda to treat bee stings If your kiddo gets stung by a bee, no worries! You can make a paste out of baking soda and a little water. The basic mixing ratio for this is 3 parts of baking soda and one part water. Really, you just need to make sure it isn’t too runny. Make sure the stinger is out before putting this mixture on the bee sting. Let the paste sit on the area for 15 minutes and wash off. Baking soda helps to neutralize the venom from the sting which reduces inflammation and pain. Ninjas don't stay down for long!

We know you’ll be busy this Summer – so why not cross off some Summer Bingo squares along the way? We created an easy printable that you can hang on the fridge. Cross off each item as you do it and try to get to them all! Tag us in your summer fun photos on Instagram or Facebook. Save this free printable -

(Without Talking Down to Them) For Ninja trainers and coaches, dedicated to embedding the discipline, focused energy, and skill of a Ninja into students, the ability to properly communicate with children is vital. When talking and communication are done right throughout a lesson, students learn more, have more fun, and benefit from a more structured environment. With proper communication, everyone benefits and experiences an easier time as we work together to teach new skills and have fun. Read on below to discover several important guidelines to stick to when seeking to foster better communication with students, and experience the results for yourself! 5 Tips for Talking to Kids - 1. Speak to Students in a Mature Way For students training to be a Ninja, it’s important to acknowledge their self-felt status as a “big kid.” Students are eager to rise to the occasion as they learn new skills, and might be less willing to listen if they feel that they’re being spoken to as “babies.” Speak to them as you might to adults; slowly and clearly, with patience for questions, and you might find a more receptive class. 2. Make Eye Contact For many children, the feeling of personal attention is just as important as a mature tone of speech when addressing them. Maintaining eye contact while talking, and making it with as many students as possible, communicates a sense of “Yes, I’m talking to you too.” That connection to students can work wonders in a personal sense of connection and accountability as you seek to stay on task. 3. Stay Mindful As many successes as you have, when communicating with children there will inevitably be setbacks. There will be days when it’s more difficult to communicate, and it can be easy for frustration to begin creeping up during this time. Remember to stay mindful of the fact that difficulty happens less often than good behavior, and keep a calm demeanor as you attempt to keep things under control. 4. Help Students Set Their Own Limits The core of our program centers around allowing students to progress at their own pace and find their limits. Don’t be afraid to support a student if they want to try something you might feel is slightly out of their grasp. While keeping safety as a priority, allowing students to press themselves is part of the beauty of NinjaZone. As a guide, cheerleader, and chaperone, you’ll be part of an experience they’ll never forget! 5. Be Firm When Necessary As fun as training may be, limits are also necessary to ensure that each student has a safe, fun experience. When talking about and laying down boundaries, expectations, and discipline to ensure that everyone gets along, you will have to be firm and uncompromising in what you allow and what you don’t. By clearly communicating your expectations and sticking to them, students will accept your leadership without feeling babied. When you’re leading, you’re the teacher and head communicator rolled into one. By following the 5 Tips for Talking to Kids when interacting with students, you’re more likely to have a fun, safe and harmonious group of students.

For those rainy days when you and your kids are stuck inside for the day, try some of these Ninja-inspired crafts to pass the time! Share photos of you and your Ninjas crafting together on Instagram and Facebook . Make sure to tag us! Ninja Paper Plate This craft is fun for Ninjas of all ages. Find instructions here . Ninja Finger Puppets The finger puppets are perfect to act out all of your Ninja moves on a small scale. Find instructions here . Ninja LEGO Models If your Ninja has a big LEGO collection, try building these. Find instructions here . N is for Ninja If your Ninja is in the process of learning the alphabet, this is a great project for you to do together. Find instructions here . Ninja Stress Balls  Even if you aren’t stressed, these little Ninjas are fun to squish and play with. Find instructions here . Ninja Lollipops Satisfy your sweet tooth with these adorable Ninja suckers. Find instructions here . Ninja Craft Sticks Use these for play, or string a bunch of them together to make a Ninja garland. Find instructions here . Paper Bag Ninja How cute is this craft that can even do Ninja moves? Find instructions here . Ninja Origami Star This easy paper craft will allow your Ninja to sport the sacred symbol of Ninjas everywhere. Find instructions here . Flexible Ninjas This craft is a bit more advanced, but the fun will be well worth it. Find instructions here . Ninja Face Help your Ninja learn shapes with this easy craft. Find instructions here . Ninja Bots Have a blast with these paper cups-turned-robots. Find instructions here . Ninja Toilet Paper Rolls Reuse those old toilet paper rolls to create some awesome Ninjas. Find instructions here . Wobbly Ninjas Repurpose those Easter eggs sitting in your attic by making these fun Ninja eggs. Find instructions here .

It’s back-to-school season, and as a parent, I’m faced with many challenges — what school to send my child to, what types of clothes to buy him, what types of food to feed him, and which activities to sign him up for. Of course, while these decisions seem as simple as making a choice – in the back of my mind all I can think is “What if I choose the wrong path?” If you’re a parent – particularly a mother (because somehow we let these plagues manifest in our souls for what seems like forever) – you know my pain. What if I mess up my kid? What if I make the wrong decision for him? What if I don’t do enough to set him up for success? The problem is the answers are rarely clear. So, instead, I try to focus on what I want for my children and try to move intentionally through this parenting thing (because we all know it’s easy to get lost in all the decisions). As my oldest child prepares to finish his first week of kindergarten (WHAT.) I am choosing to reflect on my hopes for him as he moves through this crazy world. I hope you’re kind. Kahlil Gibran said, “Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution.” I hope you stand up for others and yourself. I hope you see people as inherently good, and always look for a way to be compassionate. I hope you one of the good guys. I hope you’re humble. I hope you know that there are ideas that are better than yours and there are causes deeper than your own. I hope you understand that there’s always learning to be done by others and there’s no such thing as being the best at everything. I hope you’re a hard worker. I hope you learn how to roll up your sleeves and get dirty. I hope you keep going even when the going gets tough. I hope you’re the one that everyone can count on to be there even when most people aren’t. I hope you have the courage to try and the ability to get up, dust yourself off, and keep going after you’ve failed. I hope you look at challenges as adventures. I hope you have guts and have gumption. I hope you have grit. I hope you have integrity. I hope you can easily see right from wrong, and have the courage to choose what’s right, even when everyone else is choosing something else. I hope you have the courage to speak your mind and know the truth in your heart, especially when others are silent on issues that matter. I hope you have a good sense of humor. I hope you’re silly. I hope you love to laugh and can find humor in most situations. I hope you find joy easily and are flexible enough to go with the flow when needed. There are so, so many more hopes I have for my children – and especially for my oldest, as he traverses through that first, foundational stage of life. I realize as a parent I have a great influence on the traits my child inherits — but I also understand that starting now, he’ll spend just as much, as if not more, time away from me, under the influence of others, than he will at home. Whoa. Even typing that I freak out a little. This reminds me I need to be intentional – now more than ever before – to be sure the activities, the people, the experiences I give my child are worthy. Are valuable. Are foundational. So, I guess I conclude this message with a hope for myself. I hope that I have enough strength and insight to choose programs, teachers, coaches, and influencers that can give my child the skills he needs to be everything I know he can be. I hope I am intentional.

Focusing the energy of an energetic child can seem like a full-time job. They won’t sit still. Always fidgeting. Constant movement and sometimes a lack of focus. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, it can be focused on lessons that are both effective and fun. Tips for Energetic Children - 1. Participate In Sports Physical activity is essential for a child. In fact, it’s recommended that children receive 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Playing organized sports – in a team or individual setting – is a fun way to get that physical activity while building social skills. Individual sports like martial arts, tennis, swimming, and running can harness energy, as can team sports such as basketball, football, and soccer. 2. Take Dancing, Acting, or Singing Lessons If your child is interested, learning an instrument or becoming active in drama can be excellent activities. They serve as an energy outlet (outside of a sport) while requiring focus, coordination, and study. 3. Have Some Social Time Playing games with both family and friends can instill some skills such as patience, focus, strategy, and taking turns. Board games and non-competitive, cooperative games work well. 4. Set Up Obstacle Courses Setting up an obstacle course around the house or yard can burn some energy while also fostering creativity. Use the items in your house to create the course. Building an obstacle course and then timing your children as they race through it can be fun for hours! 5. Wrestling Whether it's jumping on mom or dad or playfully wrestling whether it’s appropriate or not, kids like a little roughhousing, and there are plenty of benefits as well. If available, there are also many benefits to organized wrestling. Benefits of Exercise In Children Even if it’s not a matter of focusing excess energy in your child, it’s clearly beneficial to encourage your child to participate in physical activity. Physical activity can increase cognitive development Physical fitness leads to lower rates of obesity Development of a broad array of sensory skills Regular exercise promotes positive self-image and emotional response Active children become active and healthy adults All of this may seem like a lot, but it isn’t. Luckily, there’s a place where you can have your child focus excess energy while sharpening discipline and skill. There’s also the benefit of getting out of the house and exercising and socializing with other kids. Sources: CDC.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/children/index.htm Psych Central: https://psychcentral.com/lib/6-benefits-of-roughhousing-for-kids/

It's Fall y'all and there is no better time to get together as a family and check off some classic Fall activities than right now! Check out this year's NinjaZone Fall Bucket List - Download the PDF -