The power of Tae Kwon Do

My 6-year-old has started taking Tae Kwon Do. I'm beginning to think that they should videotape the sessions and distribute them as "laugh therapy" among the hospitals and nursing homes.

Not because there's anything especially comical about the movements themselves - if you saw photos, you'd probably just think they look cute in the outfits - but more because the personality of each kid really comes out.

When they stretch, they count: "One, sir. Two, sir. Three, sir." Some have a hard time recalling what comes after seven and mutter, hoping no one notices. Others, like Stephen, take it as a license to boom like a bullhorn. ONE SIR!!! TWO SIR!!! Big voice, tiny body.

And some of the kids concentrate SO intently, while others keep smiling and waving at Mom.

I also didn't realize that Tae Kwon Do (and probably most martial arts for kids) includes a lot of life-lessons/behavioral stuff. Like knowing when your brother's birthday is or memorizing rules about keeping the house clean. So there's always funny interplay when Master Yong asks if a kid is always kind to their siblings. "Sometimes, sir!" "When I can, sir!"

I get more LPH (laughs per hour) at Tae Kwon Do than anywhere else!