🥋 confidence, kids & jiu jitsu

🌱 One of the best parts of Holding Hands is the people we get to learn from and share space with.

This week I’m so pleased to introduce a collab from Vicki, a mum of three boys who has lived and breathed jiu jitsu for many years. Vicki and our General Manager Ben have been training partners for a few years now, and she recently surprised him with something very special — a gi from her own brand Eternal Kimonos, lined with our Holding Hands background inside. 💛

That gift really says it all. Confidence, patience, and resilience are things every child needs, and jiu jitsu has a way of teaching those lessons in the simplest of ways — through practice, through effort, through learning to breathe when things get hard.

Vicki’s words are from the heart, and they remind us that kids don’t just need safe spaces to connect with their parents — they also need safe spaces to build confidence in themselves.

By: Vicki K.

People call jiu jitsu the nerd’s sport. And I get why. It is not about being the biggest or the strongest, it is about strategy. You are always thinking: how do I get out of this hold? How do I stay calm when the pressure is on? It is like a puzzle you solve with your body.

That is why it is so good for kids. They are learning how to think clearly when things feel tricky, and that is a skill they can carry everywhere.

When kids train jiu jitsu, they discover what they are capable of. A shy child might walk onto the mats quiet and unsure, but little by little they learn skills that make them stand taller. Each small win builds their confidence, and that feeling does not stay at the dojo. It follows them into school, friendships, and everyday life.

I have three boys, all grown up now, and every one of them trains. For us, it was never a choice, because this is important. Jiu jitsu gave them discipline, confidence, and a way to handle themselves. Those lessons shaped who they are today.

Jiu jitsu is also a great way for kids to regulate emotions. On the mats, things can feel intense, being held down, not knowing what to do next. But instead of panicking, they learn to breathe, to pause, and to keep thinking.

That practice helps them outside the gym too. It shows up in the classroom, at home, and in how they manage friendships. Jiu jitsu gives kids a safe space to practice handling big feelings so those feelings do not take over.

Jiu jitsu is not just about moves, it is about values. Kids learn to bow, to shake hands, to wait their turn. They learn how to listen, how to respect others, and how to be patient with themselves when something is hard. These are life skills just as important as the techniques.

I love jiu jitsu, but it does not have to be this. Any self-defense class or martial art can give kids the same gift: confidence, emotional control, and respect. The point is finding something that helps your child feel capable, safe, and proud of themselves.

When I started my brand Eternal Kimonos, it was because I wanted kids and women to feel more comfortable in a sport where part of the training is learning to get used to feeling uncomfortable. The right gear helps you settle in, focus, and give your best.