Get Your Child A Mentor

No man is an island and so no single parent is a village. Just like no one person exist in the world, so too no single parent can raise a child by herself, help is needed. Unfortunately, single mothers often feel abandoned on every level, and embrace the notion that they must "do it all". To be a good parent single mothers need to reach out to others. One particular recommendation for support is mentorship. Family experts encourage mothers of single family homes to get mentors for their children.

Mentors can take the form of any one person at any given time. Are you looking for someone to teach your child about technology? What about someone to teach your child good etiquette? How about a male figure to help your boy child be a man? Here is a list of some of the benefits of mentorship.

• Individuals work with parents and children to positively impact lives.
• Professional men or women work closely with teenagers to help develop their career goals; these professionals are impartial and patient listeners who provide the finest academic support.
• Without reprisals, a child will have someone to confide in and seek advice about sensitive issues.
• Professional individuals voluntarily tutor a child in weak academic areas so that he is able to succeed in school, as well as be prepared for the demands of college.
• A child will cultivate better communication and social skills.
• Men and women willing put aside personal time to help a child learn how to concentrate on his abilities. These individuals teach a child how best to apply their skills to the classroom and everyday life.
• Mentors are deterrent of truancy and defiance in students.

How does one go about getting a mentor? Where can you find a mentor? Your initial search should always begin within you family unity, possibly a trained relative in the field of sports, or someone that is a professional. If you are not confident about a good support system within your family unity then extend your search to your friends, church, or community. There is a huge organization of mentors in the Big Brother Big Sister Organization, check out www.bbbs.org for more details. Also, every state offers a wide selection of mentorships for kids of all age and interest, check out www.mentoring.org for possible programs in your area.

The relationship aspect of mentoring can be long or short term, it all depends on the need of your child. If you sign up for a particular mentorship outside of your family, friends or church expect that community or state relationships to be semi-permanent and occasional. This means that the person developing a rapport with your child will not always be available and hence some restriction will apply to the relationship. Before partnering with anyone concerning your child, explore the right type of association to ensure a good fit for a suitable guidance for your child.

If you are one of the many reluctant parents to get a mentor for your child keep in mind that professionals in many fields and levels of expertise seek mentors. Career oriented individuals, mentor each other in hopes of refining and developing their specialty. Professionals understand that experience is the best teacher, they also recognize that iron sharpens iron. This means that individuals in a given field with extensive experience can help acclimate a new member to the same vocation. This constant interaction, directives, and support advances and evidentially sharpens the new member’s skills. This collaboration sets and maintain a particular standard of excellence within the profession. Some mothers are also unenthusiastic about the mentoring programs because they are concern about the background and temperament of mentors. Consequently, when approached about possibly getting a mentor for their child they are inclined to disregard the program and walk away from the opportunity.

All mentorship program via the church and state have a rigorous evaluation process. Every person participating in the program goes through a background check. The investigation of possible mentor is similar to that of the banking institution which has to bond its employee; it is lengthy and sometime invasive. The individual provides the association with employment history and references. The final process to acceptance into the organization is a personality evaluation. The extensive care of selecting mentors does not guarantee a match for your child. Mothers are encouraged to monitor the mentor mentee relationship for personality clashes and aggression. The right match for your child depends on their individuality, certain children benefit a great deal with an older person as a mentor, others require someone younger. There is no hard and fast rule, assess your child and the possible mentor and in due course, let them decide if they are a match.

The Preparation

Professional mentors receive training and attend regular meetings. Within the training process individuals learn about regulations and laws concerning the interaction with minors. Candidates explore and eventually learn about the organizational mission, guidelines and protocols. There is high degree of confidentiality concerning minors and mentors are kept informed of the importance of the liabilities concerning violation of trust. Non-profit groups that offer mentoring frequently evaluate the mentor mentee affiliation to ensure that the partnership is productive and worth continuing. Every organization’s mission is based on a successful experience for its mentee.

There are no guarantees concerning any relationship your child might have, life refuses to issue those papers. However, that should be a motivation to do more for your child. A mentor is that more. It is a risk like any risk in any relationship, the only difference is that once you find the right mentor mentee partnership for your child, success arrives with determination and force and your child’s future soars with so much more assurance.