Some Messages Bear Repeating
I don’t usually write on kids self-defense or training topics, but the viral video linked below spurred discussion among nearly everyone who saw it, parent or not. The video shows a man in his 20s or 30s approaching kids aged 4-5 to see if they will talk to him or walk off with him. Sometimes he’s using a puppy, and every time, he has spoken to their parent first to get permission for the experiment. He tries to use the experiment to argue that despite parents claiming they had taught their children not to talk to strangers, children will talk to, and walk off with, most anyone. While I agree with some of the criticisms I’ve read of the video (that the kids could have observed him talking to their mothers just before hand, or assumed their watching moms would say something if they didn’t approve), the video makes it clear that some messages bear repeating. Whether you prefer to tell your kids not to talk to any strangers, or instead to tell them to feel comfortable talking to strangers (if they need help, for example), but to never walk away with strangers, it’s clear that critical messages that could save your child’s life, merit repeating. The parents thought they’d all discussed strangers with their young children and yet the children engaged with strangers. I think we often feel that “harping” on something can cause the listener to ignore the message, but sometimes, you just have to be consistent and thorough in discussions (especially when it comes to serious issues like kids self-defense and kidnapping). Training kids in self-defense and anti-bullying techniques like those in our kids program (combining Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai striking and Krav Maga) can only help in such a situation. Hearing a consistent safety message on a regular basis can only help your kids in the long run.
For me, the video carried an even more important and widely applicable message: don’t be complacent about things like safety. We often talk about living in the South Bay bubble, where any time we see a violent crime being committed here, it’s a major news story, but we need to remind ourselves that unfortunately, bad things can happen to anyone, anywhere. The more you mentally remind yourself of this and physically and mentally prepare for it, the more likely you are to avoid trouble or survive it if somehow it finds you. Those of you who already train in Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or other martial arts are already taking the right steps to respond in such situations. But remember, you can always improve your training: listen for new messages, even in what may seem like the same words. Your mind and body receive different messages in different ways on different days. Some days a correction may make little sense. Two days later, the same words may somehow make everything come together. The same is true when we are talking about when or why a certain technique may be used. If you have a question, ask it. Don’t just blindly accept a technique if it doesn’t make sense to you. Understanding the why will always help. And just as you can improve your odds by reminding yourself not to be complacent, and by engaging your mind during class, you can also improve your odds by encouraging those around you to train as well. If you’re training to protect your kids in a bad situation, imagine if you and your spouse or significant other (or nanny, babysitter or other family member) could help in the defense and escape. Even if they aren’t with you when something bad happens, you may be saving their lives if it happens to them. Kids self-defense is a great thing!
Remember, important messages always bear repeating, even if they may seem like the same old same old. Don’t let a terrible news story or worse, something happening to you, be the thing to make you realize you didn’t remind yourself or others enough. Train hard. Always improve.
~Ashley Martabano
Elite Training Center Redondo Beach
1628 South Pacific Coast Highway,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 598-1887
