Don't Let Safety Be an Afterthought: A Guide for Parents of High School Graduates

Congratulations to you and your graduate! As you celebrate this momentous occasion, it's also natural to feel a pang of worry as they prepare to embark on a new chapter, often away from home for the first time. One crucial aspect of their life long journey is going to be personal safety skills or self-protection skills.

I get a lot of parents asking around this time of year if I can do a self defense class for their student who will be going away to college. Followed by, how long is the class and that they're leaving in a few weeks.

Sure, a weekend self-defense course might seem like a quick fix, but let's face it: becoming a safe, confident individual requires more than a few hours of instruction. Think about learning to drive. You didn't just hop in the car, take a few laps around the block, and become a defensive driver. It was a gradual process, riddled with practice, honing your situational awareness, and making smart choices. Self-protection is similar – it's a continuous learning process.

But what exactly does self-protection entail? It's a multifaceted approach encompassing several key aspects:

• Situational Awareness: This is the ability to constantly be aware of your surroundings, people, and potential hazards. It's about paying attention, not just going through the motions.
• Threat Assessment: Learning to recognize and assess potential dangers before they escalate is crucial. Can someone's body language or behavior set off alarm bells? Can you identify an unsafe environment?
• Escape Plans: Having a mental map of escape routes and exits is essential. It's about knowing how to get out of a bad situation quickly and safely.
• Self-Defense: This is often the most emphasized aspect, but it's a last resort. Physical skills are valuable, but only after the skills listed above have been developed.

So, how can you ensure your graduate is equipped to navigate the world safely? Here are a few options:

• Shared Learning: Consider enrolling in a personal safety course together. This allows you to participate alongside your child, learn valuable skills yourself, and create a shared dialogue about safety.
• Long-Term Training: Look for programs that offer year-long training plans. This sustained commitment allows for skill development, repetition, and confidence building over time.
• Private Instruction: Explore private classes with qualified instructors. This personalized approach tailors the curriculum to your child's specific needs and learning style, maximizing the impact.

Investing in personal safety training isn't just about physical defense; it's about empowering your graduate with the confidence and skills to avoid dangerous situations in the first place. Just like defensive driving takes continuous practice, so too does personal safety.

Celebrate this exciting milestone, but make safety a priority. By working together, you can send your graduate off into the world with the tools they need to navigate the road ahead safely and confidently.

If you would like more details on available programs or training, please email me at [email protected]

-Sifu Mitchell