Re: When your family resents Aikido
First of all, enjoy your training. Secondly, one of the best things you can model for your children is to find something to be excited about and work hard to excel in because their worst enemy is boredom and complacency. Show them a better way to live. Thirdly, reassure your husband you love him and respect and support him in his endeavors and hobbies and you expect him to reciprocate. Discuss your feelings and concerns in private and ask him to be careful what he says around the kids. He needs to model support and appreciation for his spouse and her hobbies even if it is something he does not want to do. Fourthly, enjoy your training but keep a balance between family and Aikido. Is twice a week work for you and them but three times is too much? Remember that our art is all about balance and dealing with confrontations on and off the mat. Lasly, let everyone know you love them and want their support and don't take the "Aikido Mom" jokes or yourself too seriously. One of my favorite quotes from O Sensei is "practice with fierce joy." Now go and have fun.
Doc
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