Mom needs to vent

[Neinteen]

wow, won't Nick get .. like killed by the older kids? or do they have seperate fencing or something? I couldn't imagine fencing a 6 year old, i'd be afraid to hurt them. The coach should have smaller age brackets, like 3-4 years, not 8-12.

Oh, and i JUST realized what lefty's avatar was. That thing from that movie with a mask. i thought it was just a gray blob on a green dot. After careful analysis, i was able to realize the true image. Haha!

[lefty_monster]

(LOL! It's a pic Mike from Disney's Monsters Inc. And I drew a mask on him and put a sword in his LEFT hand. I'm not the best graphic artist, can't you tell? )

Maybe you should consider switching Nick to a younger class, if you can find one. If he's not made friends with the coach, and the coach has that kind of attitude, maybe you can find a better coach out there. It's possible for high schoolers to fence a 6-year-old (whom you have said is big for his age) if the older kids are considerate about the strength difference. He should also fence kids his size to experience a more level playing field.

Just a thought.

[Nicksmom]

Neinteen- I don't think so....I hope not, I just bought him that new stuff.
Everyone in the class is a beginner so they are on the same level, his reach is just a little shorter. he has compensated for that though, when he lunges, instead of going straight out he lunges up. I asked him about this and he said "If i lunge straight I'd stick them in the leg, so I go up and hit them in the body" Makes sence to me.

[Goldgar]

That he is in a 6+ class where the majority of students are high school age explains a lot. A six year old beginner will need a much different touch than a high school student. Perhaps this coach is good with high school kids but doesn't know what to do with a younger child.

I teach a lot of youth classes, for ages 8-11 (we don't accepts students under 8, though it sure sounds like Nick is mature and capable for his age). Even in my youth classes, there's a huge difference between the ages. If economics would permit it, I'd prefer to teach 8-to-9-year olds in one class, and 10-to-12-year-olds in another class.

I would strongly resist having a class containing both young kids and teenagers. Teenagers require a completely different approach.

[lefty_monster]

he has compensated for that though, when he lunges, instead of going straight out he lunges up. I asked him about this and he said "If i lunge straight I'd stick them in the leg, so I go up and hit them in the body" Makes sence to me.

Eh, he'll change his lunge as he grows. The kid does have a point. Though if one of the beginners that I taught lunged up, they'd be doing lunges for another 10 minutes. Granted, the beginners that I am assigned to work with are all more than 4'6".

[The Rose Knight]

I asked him about this and he said "If i lunge straight I'd stick them in the leg...."

Which would be just fine in epee

[Nicksmom]

I wish there was a class for younger kids in the area. Most are on the other side of the state. He asked to be signed up for class in the fall. I am trying to have him work on the "correct" way to lunge, and not look like a akward cheerleader.

[Neinteen]

Which would be just fine in epee

He's not dumb, he's learned to adapt to the height difference and all. Only the adaptable species survive. Yours will die off soon

I'd go lighter on the coach, he made one verbal mistake, that most coaches would've said. I doubt he meant anything bad by it. But it seems over, so if Nick has fun with kids that are older than him, but equal at fencing, than he should stay, sure it's different, but if he learns and has fun, then it's fine i think.

Except the tainted mind he will get at such an early age

[KidLazy]

I wish there was a class for younger kids in the area. Most are on the other side of the state. He asked to be signed up for class in the fall. I am trying to have him work on the "correct" way to lunge, and not look like a akward cheerleader.

*cough* remember *cough* my *cough* club suggestion *cough* from *cough* a month ago *cough* ? *cough*

Sorry, there was something in my throat. Now back to you...

[Neinteen]

must not have been important

[Nicksmom]

Delsym is a very good cough medication. Yes I remember, I was just trying to keep from driving 45 miles one direction when gas is 3.50 a gallon. And, I admit, your suggestion hits me between the eyes everytime I take him to class, I say to my self "is Kidlazy right, am I taking him to the right place, Oh if Kidlazy knew I was doing this he'd.....cough" I really do listen, even have the e-mail address for the other instructor, and fencing club. I'm planning on checking into them again, closer to the beginning of the school year.

[lurkerdad]

Delsym is a very good cough medication. Yes I remember, I was just trying to keep from driving 45 miles one direction when gas is 3.50 a gallon. And, I admit, your suggestion hits me between the eyes everytime I take him to class, I say to my self "is Kidlazy right, am I taking him to the right place, Oh if Kidlazy knew I was doing this he'd.....cough" I really do listen, even have the e-mail address for the other instructor, and fencing club. I'm planning on checking into them again, closer to the beginning of the school year.

Even if KidLazy's club is too far away to go regularly, if they have kids more Nick's age, I would ask them if you could go there every other week or so during open bouting so that your son can practice with fencers more of his own size. Especially once he starts doing electric fencing, with lames and all.

[4qtrs]

I was just trying to keep from driving 45 miles one direction when gas is 3.50 a gallon.

Ah, welcome to fencing. My husband drives 40 miles each way accross LA every night of the week. (Personaly I think he is mental, but he does it for our two sons.)

[The Rose Knight]

Only the adaptable species survive. Yours will die off soon

Perhaps, but our skeletons will assembled and displayed in museums where people will line up for the opportunity to see us.

[Allen Evans]

Perhaps the coach dropped the ball in this case -- it's hard to tell from the post, and without a history of what the coach's behavior is. As Peach said, sometimes an occasional miscommunication from a coach is not (and should not be) a death sentence.

I hope that when this happens -- even by accident -- to a child, the parent is able to turn into a teachable moment. After all, the child IS a beginner, and that's not anything anyone should be embarressed about or feel badly about. Eventually we all outgrow being a beginner....only to become a beginner in something else.

AE

[KidLazy]

Even if KidLazy's club is too far away to go regularly, if they have kids more Nick's age, I would ask them if you could go there every other week or so during open bouting so that your son can practice with fencers more of his own size. Especially once he starts doing electric fencing, with lames and all.

No, my current club is in Phily (checkout my "location"). I use to fence in Michigan area few years ago and still know some places well. So I made a suggestion about another club in her area (has long history of dealing with kids and getting results) and made a comment about this club (not recommonded for kids... or adults ) a month ago.

Ah, welcome to fencing. My husband drives 40 miles each way accross LA every night of the week. (Personaly I think he is mental, but he does it for our two sons.)

Well, call me crazy, but I drive 80 miles after work to fence...

[Nicksmom]

WOW, what do you do for a living? I'm lucky if I can drive home (3.2 miles), make dinner, feed the kids, pick up the house, do a load of laundry, take kid to fencing or dance class, come home, pick up from dinner (cause husband is still on the couch watching sports), and get kids to bed before 10pm. Then get up and do it all over again the next day

[KidLazy]

WOW, what do you do for a living? I'm lucky if I can drive home (3.2 miles), make dinner, feed the kids, pick up the house, do a load of laundry, take kid to fencing or dance class, come home, pick up from dinner (cause husband is still on the couch watching sports), and get kids to bed before 10pm. Then get up and do it all over again the next day

Well... single with no kids... and no life...

[Qbranch]

He is still very excited about fencing, and is planning on going to class tomorrow.

... And this is surely the most important lesson learned from this otherwise unfortunate situation. Your son has already demonstrated real strength of character by choosing to carry on with his lessons. He has every reason to be proud of himself!

[sleepyweasle]

WOW, what do you do for a living? I'm lucky if I can drive home (3.2 miles), make dinner, feed the kids, pick up the house, do a load of laundry, take kid to fencing or dance class, come home, pick up from dinner (cause husband is still on the couch watching sports), and get kids to bed before 10pm. Then get up and do it all over again the next day

My advice is make HUSBAND get his lazy butt off the couch and pitch in a bit! Perhaps HE could drive the kids or one of them to wherever they need to go. Family life is a TEAM event. Everyone has to do their part. I won't go into the chaos that is our household - but the only reason it works is because EVERYONE pitches in!