Leveling Up Spring Break Without Electronics

     Spring Break is fast approaching and we're getting excited! Now a break for us parents can mean a variety of things. Sometimes its an adult only vacation... oh right, wishful thinking there, sorry guys. So no matter your plans for Spring Break, be it near to home or far from it, we hope you take this chance to enjoy a little break from routine. I mean who doesn't want a week of loosening the reigns and indulging a little more than usual in fun and food?

     Spring break is also a perfect opportunity to grow, create memories and be truly present with one another. And whether they're asking for it verbally or not deep down what your child craves most is quality time with you. No matter their age and sass. These lofty goals, however, can easily be derailed if electronics are not reigned in and become the main focal point and pull on our time during this brief vacation. Now we're not saying increasing your family's device/gaming time on a break is inherently bad. We are just saying it's a slippery slope and would like to help you plan accordingly. So here are some quick reasons why limiting electronics can 'level up' your Spring Break and a quick action plant to make it happen.

Pros of Limiting Electronics on a Break

1. Less of fight to return to school: If we don't completely loosen the reigns on video games/electronics use during the break it will be less of a fight when we have to get the kiddos back to school ready. And who could blame a child for rearing their tiny heads and rebelling if we don't have some limits? Going from doing whatever you want straight into a very strict and busy routine is hard for everyone no matter the age. It's why many of us plan a recovery day or two after a vacation before jumping back into work.
2. Stronger Bonds: When we make concentrated efforts to be present and do things together we are building each other up and strengthening bonds. This in turn leads to less arguing as we are more attentive to each other's needs and emotions when we've been consistently investing our time in each other.
3. Less sibling arguments: Every household has routines. Even our pattern of arguing falls into a cyclic form of routine. So by limiting electronics usage in your home you are upsetting that cycle. And it takes some time for our children to adapt to that. The primary focus of most sibling arguments in today's world center around some sort of device. "It's my turn to play." "He's cheating." "She killed me when we had a truce." "You picked yesterday, it's my turn."So by limiting the primary focus of most of their arguments there will in fact be more peace in your home. This is a big plus since you all have more time on your hands and together than usual.

Ways to Level Up Your Spring Break

1. No Devices Before Dark: To attempt a device free spring break is too big a fight to be worth it. Plus we all know that forbidden items become the focus of our attention. It's just human nature to want what we can't have. Moderation, however, is a healthy compromise. Rather than turn video games into a forbidden temptation, this rule allows you to emphasize other activities (at least while the sun is shining). So make it the week's goal and commit to it as a family. Use those daylight hours to create, play, read, explore. Get outside. Get active. Take a walk. Feed the ducks. Do those things you always wish you had time for. Spring is too beautiful a season to spend all day cooped up and vegging out in front of a TV. So save the screen time for after dark.

2. Let Everyone Plan A Perfect Day/Activity: Our day to day life is often too busy for little adventures and making special memories. And to be honest with what free time we have us adults are in charge. This Spring Break let the kids take charge and be responsible for creating their own entertainment. You can do this one of two easy ways. By either (A) keeping it strictly within the home or (B) planning a hometown outing. The rules are simple. Basically each person in your household picks an activity (or an outing if you're doing the hometown version) that they enjoy. If you want more power over this family day they can list their top three ideas and then you ultimately decide. These activities don't have to be over the top extravagant either, because when you cram everyone's favorite activity into a single day it leads to something truly magical. Be it a picnic with movie theater popcorn in your backyard, family bowling tournament and then froyo, your possibilities truly are limitless. So have some fun with it and make some memories planning the ultimate hometown family outing. 

     Overall Spring Break will be as magical, adventurous, and memorable as you want. So as a family strive to disengage from those ordinary routines. Don't let electronics babysit and steal this precious time away. Let's vow to do something extraordinary with this week. It will take some planning and some parental regulations on screen time, but with some guided nudging in the right direction it truly could be a freeing childhood experience. 

#RaiseAWarrior 

Instructor Spotlight: Miss Alana

Miss Alana is AWESOME! 

She's the only Little Warrior to successfully go through all our programs (children's on through adult's) and achieve her Full Instructor in our core martial arts. She's grown up here and is now giving back to future Warrior's as our lead instructor out on the mat!

Miss Alana strives to teach our Little Warriors:

"That they can overcome anything if they work hard, and always strive to be better then yesterday."

The kiddos love Miss Alana because:

She has a heart of gold and loves all our Little Warriors

She loves dad jokes and is always willing to hear new ones and swap her favorites

She is upbeat and loves cranking the music waaaaaayyyyyy up while training

She loves all things Disney and keeps up with all the new movies/show tunes

She gives some of the best hugs and her hair has a wild personality all of it's own

A few of Miss Alana's favorite things:

     Miss Alana loves staying busy, and like many of our growing Warriors she isn't very good at sitting still. Outside of Warrior's Way Miss Alana stays busy practicing with her competitive country swing dance team, works occasional weekends as an ER nurse, and is always trying to squeeze in a few misadventures with friends if possible. Miss Alana has a strong desire to hug all the baby animals and dreams of having a sassy little corgi to adventure with. She is a big lover of the 80s music and cinematography. Her favorite movie is the Princess Bride and she loves watching reruns of The Office and Parks and Rec in addition to loving all board games and playing old video arcade games. In addition to cramming in all of this awesomeness Miss Alana also loves art and can usually be found with colorful flecks of paint in her hair and occasionally on her hands.

A little bit more about Miss Alana:

     Miss Alana has been here since she was 6 years old. She has worked and trained here at Warrior's Way through high school, on into college, and even after she got her BSN in Nursing. We were her first real job. Miss Alana worked full time as an ER Nurse at our local hospital for about three years on the night shift (spending all her days off volunteering in our Little Warrior's classes) until her love for our student's finally won out. She came back home to Warrior's Way full time in 2018 and has now taken over our children's programs. We are grateful to have her back and think her experience, personality, and love of our program's mission really brings a lot of great, upbeat things to the mat.  

Here's some bonus pics of Miss Alana from her own Little Warrior days for you to enjoy (extra bonus: her baby sister Miss Vashni is also in a few of them too!):

Leveling up! 1st Black Belt Club Picture

First test! Going for White with one stripe

Always love working on weaponry

Never misses an opportunity to train with Guro Inosanto

Miss Alana you bring so much energy and experience to our program! Thank you for being you and helping give back by raising the next generation of Little Warriors.

#RaiseAWarrior