The Greater Portland School of Jukado was recommended to us by friends’ whose daughter was in the program and loving it. We had been thinking adding a martial art for our older son would be a good idea but were reluctant to figure out how to balance another commitment with 2 careers and 2 boys in sports. One day when I was out of town Dad took them... The boys loved it and immediately were hooked, and it stuck! So what have we gained? We did it mainly for our older son who is strong for his age, but wears his heart on his sleeve. We were finding already other kids would occasionally take advantage of his empathy. We wanted him to gain confidence in himself to not be so impacted by bullies but also to encourage control of his body. Jukado is the first sport he’s passionate about. (And he plays any sport offered). He’s gaining confidence, and setting his own goals without our initiation. He’s less impacted by the couple kids at school that could be less then kind at times and just moves on to other buddies since he tends to get along with everyone. More then a physical sport Doshu and his Sensei’s are committed to teaching respect and self control. Even our 4 year old has started to take notice of different kids behavior and talk about what isn’t okay and how he doesn’t like other friend’s behavior at times. As for balancing everything at home? Somehow it doesn’t feel like just another activity to fit in. The school becomes like a family. My husband is even in the program now!

- Anneliese Lemmo