The ideal mentor doesn’t and shouldn’t do it for themselves, this is clear, they do it for the kids. We know that kids who have a mentor experience many positive impacts, a few being they are 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer regularly, 90% become interested in becoming a mentor themselves and are 130% more likely to hold a leadership position. (www.mentoring.org). It is well established that having a mentor greatly benefits children, but that led me to wonder, “what does mentoring do for our mentors?” I once heard the expression “you can’t give a hug without getting one back” and I believe that to be true of mentoring. Here are some of the reasons why…
- Mentoring helps encourage a sense of self-worth and meaning in your life.
- Mentoring allows you to be a kid again (what a great excuse to go out and play football, or lay in the grass and look at the clouds… how about a playdate at the beach?)
- Sometimes as we see life through the eyes of a child it helps us to better understand and come to terms with our own childhood and upbringing.
- Mentoring helps you to be the best version of yourself, knowing there is a child who is watching, and they need your lead.
- Attending Kinship events helps you get out in the community.
- Being a mentor makes a positive impact on your whole family and teaches them how to embrace and support others.
- Being a mentor allows you to meet other mentors, and helps build friendships with other like-minded people.
- You get ice-cream (I mean, what’s better than going to get ice cream with your kid?)
- It can help you connect with and understand your own children better.
- For many it can lead to spiritual fulfillment as well.
These are just a few ways in which being a Mentor can positively impact your life. We would love to hear from you, please share in the comment section below ways in which Mentoring has affected you, and as always, thank you for all that you do!
