Parent Resource Hub

A guide for supporting your child’s jiu jitsu journey at Growth Mindset Collective - Jiu JItsu

At Growth Mindset Collective – Jiu Jitsu, we believe Jiu Jitsu is one of the best ways a child can grow — mentally, physically, and emotionally. But it’s not an easy path. There will be victories and setbacks, confidence and doubt, joy and frustration.  We’re here to support your child through all of it — and that means partnering with you. This page is your go-to guide for how to help your child thrive in our program, both on and off the mat.

Class Schedule & Important Dates

Stay on top of:



If you're not already receiving text updates, reach out to Coach Mark to get added to the list. That’s where we send reminders, schedule changes, and last-minute updates.

What to Bring to Class

Here’s what your child needs to bring for every class:


  • Clean Gi or No-Gi attire (depending on the class)
  • Flip flops to wear off the mat
  • Labeled water bottle
  • Trimmed fingernails and good personal hygiene


Please make sure your child’s name is written on all gear. Lost items without names often go unclaimed.

Attendance & Make-Up Classes

Consistency builds progress. Kids who show up regularly gain skills faster, build stronger relationships with their teammates, and feel more confident.


  • All classes must be booked in advance
  • If you can’t attend, please cancel as soon as possible to free the spot for someone else
  • Make-up classes are available when space allows


Note: Open Gym is not available for kids.


How Belt Promotions Work

Promotions are earned through commitment, improvement, and character — not just attendance.


Here’s how the system works:



  • 1 stripe = 25 classes
  • After 4 stripes, your child becomes eligible for belt promotion
  • But stripes do not guarantee promotion — final decisions are made at Coach Mark’s discretion


What Coach Mark looks for beyond class attendance:


  • Positive attitude
  • Remembering and applying techniques appropriate for their rank
  • Consistency and focus in class
  • Performance in sparring and/or competition


Tournaments & Stripes:


  • 1 gold medal = 1 stripe
  • 2 silver medals = 1 stripe
  • 3 bronze medals = 1 stripe


Things that can delay or prevent promotion:


  • Disrespectful behavior in class
  • Poor treatment of teammates
  • Bullying behavior at school
  • Failing to complete homework or showing lack of discipline at home
  • Overall poor attitude


At GMC - Jiu Jitsu, we promote the whole person, not just what we see during class.

Growth Mindset: What It Means to Us

At Growth Mindset Collective, we teach kids that failure is not the opposite of success — it’s part of the path. Every tough roll, every frustrating loss, every moment they want to give up — those are golden opportunities to learn grit, resilience, and humility. It’s okay to fall short. What matters is getting back up and trying again.


Our goal is to help your child embrace discomfort, learn from failure, and keep showing up — because pressure makes diamonds.

Supporting Your Child at Home

You and Coach Mark are on the same team — and we both want what’s best for your child.


Here’s how you can support their journey the right way:


  • Don’t coach from the sidelines. Let Coach Mark do the coaching. When parents shout directions, it adds pressure and confusion.
  • Don’t criticize after class or tournaments. If your child had a tough match, say:
    “Maybe you could show Coach Mark the video and see what he thinks you could work on next time.”
    That keeps you in a supportive role while still encouraging growth.
  • Celebrate effort, not just results. Praise their courage to compete, their improvement in technique, and their good sportsmanship.
  • Be patient. Some days your child will dominate. Other days they’ll get tapped five times in a row. Both are equally valuable experiences.
  • Trust the process. Coach Mark sees things you may not. Promotions and praise come when your child is ready — not just when you think they should be.


💬 Real talk:


If you’ve never trained Jiu Jitsu, it’s easy to underestimate how hard it is.


We’ve had many parents say:


 “Once I trained, I realized how tough it really is. I’ll never yell ‘just get up’ again.”


Be your child’s safe place. Let us do the coaching. Together, we’ll help them grow on and off the mat.

Tips for Supporting Your Child’s Journey

We’re building a library of resources just for you — practical tips, mindset tools, and behind-the-scenes insight to help you support your child through the ups and downs of jiu jitsu.



In the meantime, here’s the #1 thing we’ve learned:


Your encouragement matters more than perfect technique.


Stick around — more helpful content for parents is coming soon.

Quick “Success Checklist” for Parents

Want your child to succeed in jiu jitsu? Here's how you can help:

  • ✅ Bring them to class on time
  • ✅ Make sure they have clean gear and water
  • ✅ Encourage them on tough days
  • ✅ Celebrate effort, not just wins
  • ✅ Trust the coach (and the process)
  • ✅ Avoid coaching from the sidelines
  • ✅ Ask questions when you're unsure
  • ✅ Keep Coach Mark in the loop — if your child had a rough day, is struggling with school, or is dealing with bullying, let us know. That context helps us support them with compassion and teach them more effectively.


Train alongside your child — at half the price.


We believe jiu jitsu is powerful for the whole family — not just the kids.


That’s why moms of currently enrolled students receive 50% off our Women’s Self-Defense Class.


This is a safe, beginner-friendly environment where you’ll learn to:


  • Defend yourself in real-world situations
  • Build strength, confidence, and skill
  • Understand exactly what your child is learning on the mat
“Once I started training, I finally understood what my kid was going through — it made me a better parent and teammate.”
— GMC - Jiu Jitsu Mom

If you're ready to step on the mat, just let Coach Mark know — we'd love to have you train with us.

Transforming Lives Through Jiu Jitsu

Coach Mark has taught me how to protect myself. I talk with him about interactions I have with other people in my life and he helps me to figure out how to go about situations when people are pushing the boundaries. I love jiu jitsu and my teammates!

Maks Zak

Upcoming Events & Workshops

Adult Beginner Jiu Jitsu Course

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7PM

A hands-on workshop designed for beginners to learn the basics of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a supportive environment.

Growth Mindset Collective Dojo

Women's Self Defense Course

Fridays at 6PM

A supportive and empowering course designed to teach women real-world self-defense skills through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Build confidence, awareness, and the ability to protect yourself in any situation.

Growth Mindset Collective Dojo

Common Questions from Parents

As your child embarks on their Jiu Jitsu journey, it's natural to have questions about training, safety, and how our program is structured. Here, we address some of the most frequently asked questions to help you support your child's growth and development.

What should I expect from my child's training?

Our training sessions are designed to be engaging and educational, focusing on skill development, discipline, and respect. Each class is tailored to meet the needs of individual students, ensuring they receive personalized attention and guidance from our experienced coach.

How do you ensure safety during training?

Safety is our top priority. We maintain a controlled environment with a maximum of six students per class, allowing for close supervision and immediate feedback. Our curriculum emphasizes safe techniques and proper etiquette, ensuring that all students feel secure while learning.

What age is appropriate for my child to start?

We generally accept children starting around age 4, but age isn’t the only factor — what matters most is maturity.


Can your child follow instructions? Can they participate in a group class without being disruptive? Are they emotionally ready to try, fail, and try again without breaking down?


If the answer is yes, they’re probably ready. If not, we may recommend waiting a bit longer or trying a private lesson first to assess readiness.


We group students by developmental stage — Early Elementary, Late Elementary, and Middle School — so they’re learning in an environment that’s right for them.

How can I support my child's growth in Jiu Jitsu?

Your encouragement means everything. Bring them to class consistently, celebrate effort (not just wins), and trust the process. Avoid coaching from the sidelines — and if your child had a tough day at school or is going through something emotionally, let Coach Mark know. We’re here to support the whole child, not just the athlete.

How do belt promotions and stripes work?

Your child earns a stripe for every 25 classes attended. Once they’ve earned 4 stripes, they become eligible for promotion — but stripes alone don’t guarantee a belt. Promotions are based on Coach Mark’s discretion, which considers attitude, effort, skill, and character.



Tournament performance can also count toward stripes (1 gold = 1 stripe, 2 silver = 1 stripe, 3 bronze = 1 stripe).

Can I try Jiu Jitsu too?

Yes! If you're a mom of a currently enrolled student, you get 50% off our Women’s Self-Defense Class. We also offer beginner classes for adults on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Ask Coach Mark for more details!

We're Here to Help!

At Growth Mindset Collective – Jiu Jitsu, we understand that every child's journey is unique. If you have any questions or need additional support regarding your child's training, please don't hesitate to reach out. Our dedicated team is here to provide guidance, resources, and encouragement to help your child thrive both on and off the mat.

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