Jeanette Friesen, Extension Educator
University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension
The Search Institute has identified 40 assets that are important for youth to have in order to grow and develop. One group is Support - "Young people need to experience support, care, and love from their families, neighbors, and many others."
Parents are naturally a child’s first line of support, but it should not stop there. Youth need many more positive influences in their lives in order to develop to their full potential. Sometimes these relationships actually become safety nets as teens go through difficult times when they may or may not feel free to go to their parents with situations that come up.
Think back to your own childhood. Who were the major players in your life, who helped you become what you are now? Who helped you discover and develop special talents and hobbies? Who was always there for you, no matter what? It may have been your parents, but in addition, it may have been a neighbor, grandparent or teacher. It may have been a Sunday School teacher, 4-H or scout leader.
These special people are called mentors. Interestingly, it comes from a word meaning "steadfast" and "enduring." It describes a relationship with between adults and youth that helps that them develop and succeed. Here are some of the benefits of mentoring. It improves self-esteem, helps young people stay in school and improve in their academic achievements. Mentors help young people discover resources and encourage new behaviors, attitudes and ambitions. Besides the benefit for the youth, it provides an avenue for adults to give back to others some of the help they have received, and brings a sense of purpose to their lives.
Do your children have mentors? Do they have adults that are taking an active interest in their lives? It may or may not be a formal relationship. It is the positive relationship that makes the difference. If you do not see any of these special relationships in your child’s life, you may want to introduce them to adults that have interests similar to your child’s, or make it possible for your child to spend more time with a grandparent or other special relative. The benefits of these mentoring relationships can last a lifetime.
Tell us about your mentoring experiences by going to unlforfamilies.unl.edu, click on this TIPS article and leave us a note!
Sources: Search Institute & Memphis Mentoring Partnership
