It’s normal to have mixed feelings about finding a mentor for your teen. Some parents feel like it’s a weakness while others worry about bringing someone else into their child’s life. How can they be sure this person will be a good influence on their child? And how they can trust them to steer their fragile teen down the right path?
At Bridge the Gap, we can personally say that reaching out for help is never a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s a sign of strength. Kids and teens need to be surrounded by as many trusted adults as possible. Some children develop strong bonds with aunts, uncles and grandparents while others benefit from mentors.
As for finding a teen mentor that you and your child can trust, we have a few tips to help you on this journey.
Where to Find Teen Mentoring Services
There are two ways you can find a teen mentor. You can select one yourself or work with a youth mentoring organization like Bridge the Gap.
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Choosing a mentor yourself. It’s important to choose someone you know extremely well, someone you trust and someone who will be up for the challenge. We also recommend having a few initial interactions to see how your teen responds to the mentor.
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Using an organization. An organization like Bridge the Gap matches teens to a mentor based on their interests, age and needs. You will receive an individualized mentoring plan that identifies your child’s strengths and weaknesses and the best ways to reach their goals. The plan is reviewed weekly and all progress is tracked.
It’s up to you and what you are comfortable with, but we do find that people tend to have better success with a teen mentor from an organization. These mentors are well-trained and know how to handle the unique challenges that come with being a mentor. They also provide a wide range of services including weekly meetings, daily check-ins and more.
Establish Ground Rules
Talk to your child about the ground rules you expect. It’s important that you are both on the same page. Here are some things we recommend talking to your teen about:
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Are there certain times or days of the week when you don’t want the mentor calling or texting your child?
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How do you feel about your child being friends with the mentor on social media?
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Are there places you don’t want the mentor to take your child?
Bridge the Gap is extremely accommodating when it comes to our teen mentoring services. We provide daily check-ins Monday through Friday as well as weekly meetings that can happen at our Westlake Village office or another location. If you can’t meet face to face due to location, we provide convenient telementoring services.
Nurture the Relationship
Many teens feel uncomfortable talking to their parents, especially about sensitive topics like sex and drugs. This is normal. Rather than feeling resentful, the best approach is to be there for your child in other ways, such as by choosing another trusted adult to be in their life.
When you opt for teen mentoring services, you’ll need to be prepared to nurture this relationship. Think about how you’re going to help your child’s relationship with their mentor grow. Remember, you are not intruding on the relationship but rather making sure they trust and feel comfortable with their mentor.
Do keep in mind that it takes time for these relationships to grow. Your child does not need to be best buddies with their mentor right away.
Final Thoughts
Teen mentoring services are a huge asset to many families. People from all walks of life utilize these services to help their teens gain more self-confidence, identify their strengths, work through challenges and reach their true potential.
Teen mentors can also help with social skills, managing time and setting healthy boundaries. In order to receive the positive outcome you’re looking for, it’s important to choose a teen mentor that you trust to be a positive influence.
To learn more about the teen mentoring services from Bridge the Gap, please contact us today. We develop individualized treatment plans for each teen based on their needs, challenges and goals. Let us “bridge the gap” for your family so that your child can live a full and productive life.
