ABOUT THIS CLASS
Talking to kids about safety is tough. But, as they mature and become increasingly independent, you want them to take care of themselves while living rich, full lives. In these classes they will learn to recognize “red flags,” plan safe exits from iffy situations, try out physical moves (just in case), and learn to find supportive self-care. All in age-appropriate language and concepts.
Strategic Living classes are designed to help you begin a dialogue and find the right words to communicate in a loving, non-alarming way.
Independence and accepting responsibility tend to increase with age. As children enter their tweens, they want to explore making their own decisions. As tweens enter their teens, they begin to form general realizations from specific events. They focus more on their peers for models of how to fit in. As girls mature into older teens, they can think more abstractly and understand consequences. Their prime safety concerns will shift from “stranger abduction” to car accidents and being pressured into unwanted sexual activity.
In my years of teaching, I’ve noticed there is no single timeline for all girls. Some 12 year old girls are allowed to date, some 14 year old girls travel solo, and some 15 year old girls are not yet riding public transportation. The divisions below are approximate, and your girl may not follow the age / experience correlations exactly. If in doubt which class would be best, please contact me.
Go to:
- For High School Girls
- For Middle School/Beginning High School Girls
- For Tween Girls (grades 5 and 6)
- For Girls Off to College
- Not for Teen Girls Only: Mother – Daughter classes
- Read our Privacy, Refund, and Financial Assistance policies
Class Schedule
For Girls in High School (grades 10-12)
Teen girls are looking to increase their independence. Increasingly, they will need to take care of themselves while exploring and engaging in rich, fulfilling lives. They are out more with friends, teams, bands. They (or their friends) are driving. They may be dating. They may have part-time jobs and a new social environment that goes with employment. They are exploring the world, mostly without direct adult supervision. On top of that, you may be concerned about social pressure and a cultural environment that romanticizes unhealthy relationship behavior and tends to denigrate girls’ abilities and sense of self.
They could use some skills to help augment the experience they are acquiring.
In this class, your emerging young adult will learn to recognize “red flags” that someone may mean harm, plan safe exits from iffy situation, practice physical moves (just in case), and learn to find supportive self-care.
Your teen girl will get honest, accurate answers in a safe space. In 3 hours, she will learn:
- How she can protect herself when dates get scary
- Red flags that she needs to call home NOW
- Surprise moves to get free if grabbed from behind
- How stay safe and still have fun at parties, athletic events and class activities
Saturday, January 25, 9:00 am – noon. Location: North Kirkland Community Center, 12421 103rd Ave NE, Kirkland WA 98034. Cost: $60 for Kirkland residents, $72 for non-residents. Contact NKCC at 425-587-3336, or register online.
Sunday, January 26, 2:00 – 5:00 pm. Location: 920 South Holgate Street, Seattle WA 98134 (new studio of the Feminist Karate Union). Cost: $77. Register online through Brown Paper Tickets.
Sunday, March 22, 2:00 – 5:00 pm. Location: 920 South Holgate Street, Seattle WA 98134 (new studio of the Feminist Karate Union). Cost: $77. Register online through Brown Paper Tickets.
For Girls in Middle School (grades 7-9)
Girls on the verge of their teen years are beginning to seek independence. They are staying home alone (or with younger siblings) for longer periods of time, babysitting, walking to a friend’s house or to school, bicycling around the city, or riding the bus with buddies. They are exploring the world, at times without direct adult supervision. They are now looking more to their friends for social norm. On top of that, you may be concerned about peer pressure and a cultural environment that romanticizes unhealthy relationship behavior and tends to denigrate girls’ abilities and sense of self.
They could use some skills to help make up for the experience they don’t yet have.
In this class, tween girls will learn to recognize “red flags” that someone may mean harm, plan safe exits from iffy situation, practice physical moves (just in case), and learn to find supportive self-care. All in age-appropriate language and concepts.
Sunday February 2, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Location: 920 South Holgate Street, Seattle WA 98134 (new studio of the Feminist Karate Union). Cost: $77. Register online through Brown Paper Tickets.
Sunday March 1, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm. Location: 920 South Holgate Street, Seattle WA 98134 (new studio of the Feminist Karate Union). Cost: $77. Register online through Brown Paper Tickets.
For Tween Girls (grades 5-6)
For girls just starting to ride the bus with one or two friends, begin babysitting, and be trusted at home alone. Does more independence and responsibility for her have to mean more worry for you? This class is for both her emerging awareness and your peace of mind. In 2 1/2 hours, she will learn safety skills essential for her increasing independence and safety when she is:
- Home alone or with younger siblings
- Riding the bus by herself or with a friend or two
- Babysitting
- Walking or biking to the park or corner store with a friend.
Sunday, January 26, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm. Location: 920 South Holgate Street, Seattle WA 98134 (new studio of the Feminist Karate Union). Cost: $77. Register online through Brown Paper Tickets.
Sunday, March 22, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm pm. Location: 920 South Holgate Street, Seattle WA 98134 (new studio of the Feminist Karate Union). Cost: $77. Register online through Brown Paper Tickets.
For Girls About to Leave for College:
She’s off to college! For the first time, she’ll be living with peers rather than parents, responsible for her own food and schedule, and having to make more judgements about balancing risk and safety. All while making new friends, finding how she fits in, and thriving in a college environment.
Give her tools to increase her chances of the next four years being those she will remember fondly.
In this class she will learn simple and effective ways to stay out of harm’s way on and around campus while still enjoying the full college experience. In this short seminar, we will address 2 ways to identify possible evil-doers, 3 strategies to evade them, and 4 techniques to neutralize their ill intent. Some of this class will be physical, some verbal, and all aimed at increasing her choices. EmPOWERment doesn’t get more fun!
Classes will open for registration in the Spring — contact me to schedule one by private arrangement if you’d like to arrange a class for your own group.
Teen Girls classes are also available by private arrangement — contact me to schedule yours.
Older teen girls are also welcome to attend Self-Defense 101, the six-week course or a One-Day Seminar (particularly useful for those about to head off for college). Younger teens (13-15 years of age) can come if a parent or other older relative also registers.
Not for Teen Girls Only – The Mother/Daughter Session
Ideal for a group where the daughters are all about the same age, this class will not only give you great self-defense skills but will provide tools to carry on conversations about safety for a long time.
Currently offered by private arrangement. Find out more about organizing your self-defense class, and contact me to schedule your custom class. Another option (if your daughter is over the age of 15 and putting together your own group is challenging) is to both enroll in a One-Day Seminar.
Do you have a Girl Scout troop?
We can come to you and offer classes for your troop! Please take a look at our Girl Scouts page for more information.
Would you like a self-defense class at your school?
Like driver’s education, self-defense training should be part of every girl’s school curriculum. Whether for a short club presentation or a multi-week course, Strategic Living can come to your middle or high school.
Contact me to schedule your custom class.
