My gift to Renee was my time.

Her gift to me was being successful in her life and still calling me when she needs something.

No Bad Time To Change A Life

Mentoring doesn’t only take place when you’re young, making a difference in some one’s life can happen at anytime.

Couples
The Big Brothers & Big Sisters organization has a couples program.  Couples of any age, such as young couples before you have kids, couples trying to conceive, couples that currently have kids, and couples in their golden years, are all welcome

Just think a child would get double the love and attention from a couple, and possibly be bless with an example of a loving set of parents.

Pre-Retirement
A close friend of mine’s parents was interested in mentoring a child as a couple when they got to the empty nest stage.  Not only are they still be very active in their daughters lives, they continue to be a positive influence to another child even in their golden years.

Just because you’re done raising kids doesn’t mean you have to wait around for grand kids to be involved in a child’s life!  Opportunities are also available that are not related to children, for example SCORE – Service Corps Of Retired Executives or MentorNet which is an e-mentoring network for Engineering and Science.

Currently my retired Dad is volunteering his time to tutor kids that need help in Math.  So it goes to show you, you don’t have to be a full time mentor to help a child.

No Amount of Time Is Too Small

Your time is valuable no matter what age you are, or no matter what situation your in, in your life.   You’re life experiences, your talents, strengths, as well as weaknesses are all valuable.  The best gift you can give anyone is the gift of your time whether it be an hour of tutoring a week, or 4 or more hours a week.  Share what you’ve been given and you’ll be amazed at how much of an impact it has!

Renee will be 20 years old this year and currently in the Air Force working hard at what she does. I’m so touched to the heart to see her working so hard towards her dreams, knowing I had a small hand in getting her there.

Just a little bit of your time goes a long way. That’s what mentoring is all about!

Little Things Matter

Now as a parent I’ve noticed some of my son’s kids aren’t getting the full attention of their parents and therefore end up at our farm a lot.  In my opinion, these parents are missing out on time with their kids, but I can partly understand because society and the economy make it hard for a parent(s) to make ends meet.

I’ve turned it into something positive by becoming close to them and making them feel at home whenever they visit.   This gives a child another person to trust.  They feel comfortable to come visit us whenever the need arises.

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Related Posts:

• Gaining new insights into mentoring programs for adolescent girls
• How to Enroll a Child In the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Program
• VolunteerMatch Search for volunteer opportunities by location (zip code or city) and keyword (like tutor, construction, etc.) or sign up to receive updates in your email inbox.
• HandsOn Network Volunteer centers by state.
• Oprah’s Angel Network

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Remarkable Parents Team Bio:

Sherry Martz is a 36 year old wife and mother of three sons who lives on a black angus cattle farm in Indiana.  Since 1997 she’s been a mentor to an inner city young lady who is now in the Air Force.   Sherry is an active volunteer at her sons’ school on a weekly basis and helps kids who are struggling and need extra 1 on 1 attention.  She and her husband own two successful businesses for which she does the administrative end.

If you would like to contact Sherry you can find her on Twitter at @citychiconafarm or visit  her website City Chick on a Farm.