The Importance of Mentors for Kids and Teens

When I was growing up, my grandfather was always supportive. He believed in me, and most importantly, told me I could accomplish whatever I wanted in my life. He encouraged my interests and helped me feel empowered. This, in turn, helped give me the confidence to take on challenges and strive for my goals.

This type of support and encouragement can be vital to a child. Children who feel they have a champion, who they know will care for them and love them whether they succeed or fail, become people who are not afraid to take chances. It is these supportive adults who can help children develop strength and confidence in themselves as they move toward their goals.

Forming a Sense of Self

It is an unfortunate fact that some children do not get the emotional support they need. Parents who are stingy with their praise can lead to children having difficulty believing in themselves. This can cause them to not recognize their own strength and power as they grow. That’s why it’s vital that the adults in their lives understand the power they have in helping kids form their sense of self. They can be a child's first mentor.

If a child who has a dream for their future, even if it’s something you don't understand, being supportive of that dream can make a real difference. All too often, children are taught to be fearful of their dreams, to disregard their passions and take the safe road.

In earlier decades, it was often thought that getting a steady job was the most important thing a young adult could do. What they were passionate about was fine when they were children, but adults needed steady work whether they liked it or not. While this may have helped pay the bills, it did little for a person’s fulfillment and job satisfaction. Today, this approach is less secure than it was 50 years ago. At that time, it was not unusual for someone to work for a company their entire life until retirement. That’s why a steady job was seen as so important. However, times have changed, and that’s often not today’s reality.

Chances are that our children will have multiple jobs in their lives. That’s why having a marketable skill can be more important than any one job. Developing expertise in their field can help make someone employable in many different places, which can often lead to financial security.

Mentors Can Make a Real Difference

In the quest to gain that expertise, mentors can be extremely valuable. A mentor can show someone what it’s really like to pursue their dream. A knowledgeable mentor can help bridge the gap between a desire for something and the reality of achieving it. There is a big difference between wanting something you know only a little about and dealing with the reality of what’s necessary to accomplish it.

When it comes to setting goals, mentors can help teens get a more realistic picture of what they want to accomplish. They can help them refine their goals so they can actualize them. In this way, mentors are invaluable. They can help teens understand the path they need to take to move forward. They can also outline some of the pitfalls. If they’ve traveled the road before, mentors can point out the mistakes they’ve made in the past and help the teen avoid them.

All of us have been helped at one time or another by someone, whether in our personal or work life. We can help to repay that commitment by being there for others. If we have children or work with children, we can be an important part of that helping. We all have an opportunity to help the people in our lives recognize their value, feel supported, and work toward accomplishing their goals.