Reconnecting After A Break
As mentors with school-based programs, we become accustomed to having a variety of breaks in the mentoring schedule, like school holidays and summer breaks. As we’ve often learned and discussed in Seedling trainings, it’s essential to re-establish a connection and...
Planning for Winter Break
The arrival of winter break signals a variety of challenges for many of us – holidays, travel, gathering with family and friends. It also means one major thing every year: calendar chaos! Between our own holiday commitments and our mentees' end of semester activities,...
Mentoring and the Holidays
One of the most common questions we receive around the holidays is, “Is it ok to get my mentee a gift?” You already provide the most important gift each week – your time and friendship. Still, we acknowledge that many mentors wish to give their mentees small gifts...
The Holidays and Practicing Gratitude
The holidays can provide other kinds of opportunities to enrich your relationship with your mentee, like having a meaningful conversation about gratitude. Research confirms that focusing on strengths can improve a person’s life considerably. Cultivating gratitude, a...
Thinking About The Holidays
Navigating the holidays in a mentoring relationship can be tricky. As Seedling mentors we are sensitive to the fact that some households may not celebrate holidays we hold dear. This reality might be due to religious practice, financial distress or family strife. The...
Being Present is the Present
At this time of year, mentors often ask “May I give my mentee a holiday gift?”. Seedling believes that you are the gift, along with the time and undivided attention you bestow on your mentee each week. However, if you elect to give your mentee a holiday present, we...