Instructor Spotlight: Miss Carlie

Miss Carlie is AWESOME! 

She grew up in our children's program, got her Junior Black Belt, and is the tough girl role model for all of our Little Warrior's as she shows the adult class you don't have to be big to be fierce!

She loves working at Warrior's Way because:

"I love seeing the kids grow and develop into beautiful, strong warriors."

The kiddos love Miss Carlie because: 

She gives amazing hugs and is always looking for quirky ways to make others smile.

She is everyone's number one cheerleader and is never to busy to build others up.

She is always happy to help and excellent at finding fun ways to explain techniques.

A little bit more about Miss Carlie:

Miss Carlie is a 17 year old high school student who has made training a priority in her life since a young age. Miss Carlie's goal is to get her adult Black Belt and become a Full Instructor here at Warrior's Way. So far we've only had one Little Warrior achieve this, but miss Carlie is well on her way to accomplishing this awesome goal. Her dream job is to be a martial arts instructor or a police officer. We're very excited to see how she continues to kick butt in the future!

A few of Miss Carlie's favorite things:

Being the awesome warrior princess that Miss Carlie is her choice of favorite movie came as no surprise to us. She loves the tough princess Mulan and watching Young Justice super hero re-runs. In addition to martial arts Miss Carlie loves to sew, make art, sleep, playing tennis in her free time, and eating her favorite food sushi. She is also one of the sweetest, most kindhearted youth we know.

Some tiny Warrior pictures of Miss Carlie just for fun:

First day of class! Already looking like a fierce Warrior!

We love Warrior's Way Award Ceremonies!

Our team just wouldn't be the same without her. 

We can't thank her enough for being such an awesome part of our team!

#RaiseAWarrior

Finding Your Child's Love Language

     So now that the individuality of love languages is on your radar it’s time we start making an action plan on how to make the change and grow alongside your little one. After all an idea without a plan is just a wish to do better. Now don’t panic. Before you think we are giving you parenting homework know that we get it. Life is busy, but we’ve got your back and the plan is all laid out. Like we mentioned last week, learning your child’s love language isn’t a matter of doing more, but of continuing to do what you already are, just better!

     Alright so back to the basics with a quick recap for those just now joining our cause, according to Dr. Gary Chapman there are 5 love languages. They are…

1.     Words of Affirmation: those little comments that call attention to what’s at the core of each child or teen that makes them a unique individual

2.     Acts of Service: those big or little things we do that prove we care no matter how busy life gets

3.     Quality Time: when we spend time with others on a one-on-one basis it speaks to their heart and says “You’re important and I like being with you.”

4.     Physical Touch: the easiest and yet sometimes most awkward love language to fill; from rough housing, tickle fights, to hugs or high fives, it’s those little gestures that are full of so many unspoken words

5.     Gift Giving: those meaningful gifts that are symbols of love, full of meaningful memories, or the “just because type” when we something and were thinking of them

      Everyone has a primary love language that most effectively fills them up and most people have a secondary one also. As unique individuals it feels most natural to love others in your primary love language. So for example if you feel most loved when you’re spending time with others you will most naturally go out of your way to also give that quality time to the ones you love. Quality time like that is always an awesome gift to your little ones, and since it is exactly the kind of love you yourself crave it is easy for these actions to lull us, as parents, into a false sense of security. I mean after all our children “should just know” how much we love them right?

     You have to be careful though. Assumptions are tricky things and often they couldn’t be further from the truth. It is impossible for anyone, especially a child, to just know what we are thinking and feeling, especially if we are inconsistently or rarely speaking their personal love language. So now that we see the love pitfall that so many fall victim too we have to do everything in our power to avoid it. The first step towards change is an awareness of the need to change. Now that you’re on board and committed to loving the ones in your family the way they essentially need to be loved how do we figure out what makes them tick? I mean a one in five chance isn’t the worst odds possible, but something to even the playing field in our favor would be too awesome to pass up. So here are the best ways we’ve found to help you discover which language form best communicates love to your child:

·        Observe how your child expresses love to you: A child who brightens your day by saying “Mommy, you’re so pretty” may desire to hear more words of affirmation

·        Observe how your child expresses love to others: A child who wants to take presents to his teacher may appreciate more love shown in the form of gifts

·        Pay attention and listen to what your child requests most often: A child who asks for a bedtime glass of milk is seeking acts of service, whereas a child who asks “How did I do in class today?” is asking for more praise and affirmation

·        Notice what your child most frequently complains about: A child who says “You’re always at work and so busy” likely needs more quality time from you

Got a second to look even deeper into this topic? Check out the article below for even more ways to recognize and fulfill your child’s primary and secondary love language. Our children are our life’s greatest work, so strive to give them your best. Happy parenting!

How to Speak Your Child’s Love Language

#RaiseAWarrior