by Teryl Cartwright, instructor of the Timothy Circle mentor training
Most parents don’t have a lot of experience with a formal mentoring experience for their child. Here are some things to keep in mind about what mentors are and aren’t.
Mentors: What They Are
- An adult who has shown faith in practice and speech
- A person who is called to connect and help others with their call
- An individual looking to put your child’s needs first
- A person who will pray for your child and be there to help answer your child’s questions
- A person who partners with the Holy Spirit and others to build your child’s faith
Mentors: What They Aren’t
- A new best friend for you to confide your concerns
- A person who will report to you about your child or get your child to follow your rules
- A counselor or therapist
- A person who will judge or share what your child says
- A person looking to impose their beliefs or values instead of helping your child discern their own