Been watching and reading this thread and feel for your daughter.
When I was a kid I was picked on a lot by a couple of guys in my school.
It wasn't until I (out of know where) punched one in the face at a halloween carnival we had at school and stabbed the other one (small would, it'll heal
), that they (and all the other wannabe bad asses), left me alone
Unfortunately, just like Rays daughter, we all have a abad side. Hopefully, you'll never see it. If you do, then hopefully you'll never see it again
FWIW Rachelle, if you'd like, I teach a FREE self defense course every Thursday night from 8-9 pm at a local gym.
It's "based" on the principles of American Kenpo Karate, but has influences from the various styles I've studied over the years, Aikido, Aiki-Ju-Jutsu, TKD, Hapkido, and of course, a good dose of just plain ole' street style ass whippin;
(too many years on the street in LE).
I've taught for the USCG, Law Enforcement and Security organizations and a few corporations (to name a few) over the years, and generally, do not teach children. We do a lot of weapon disarmament, and releases/defenses from various grabs, chokes, holds, armbars, traps and groundings.
I'd make an exception for you and yours if you're interested? If need be, maybe we could do a "short course" just for the 3-4 of you?
One thing I can say with absolute certainty. "formal" martial arts are not for everyone, generally don't work in real life scenarios (as they're taught in schools) and you
can't MAKE your child like them.
My son and I trained hard for several years together as a child, but when he hit his teens, his interests changed and I couldn't get him interested to save my butt! he was probationary black in TKD at a well respected school here in the area at the time.
later, he took up Aikido, but again, kind of wained away
All of a sudden, at the age of 20 he decided to go back???
Now at 22, he's an advanced rank in a modified version of American Kenpo, and trains several times a week in Ju-Jitsu and MMA...go figure....
Bottom line is, he knows that what you learn in the dojo/jojang is much different from what one needs on the street to survive
Finally, don't depend on the schools to take much action.
Between being hamstrung politically, and pussified admininstratively, you're pretty much on your own. To the school districts that have anti bullying policies that work...
CONGRATULATIONS I applaud them.
Here in Hillsborough County, they won't even discuss a martial based self defense program in the schools...even for the staff
They'd rather bring in counselors and "talk about it"
If there's anything i can do for you or your family (this goes out to all the Corvetteflorida family), please let me know. The doors always open
Gordon