Once upon a time, I was young mom with two little boys who was determined to homeschool. A homeschooling mom who was a little older, with kids older and the same ages as mine, invited me to come shadow her for the day. A mentoring relationship was born, one for which I will always be grateful. Mary is no longer homeschooling, but, as our children get older and I find myself trying to navigate the even trickier waters of teens and young adults, she is still a mentor and I am reminded anew how blessed I am to have her.
So, when that mom, who is a writer too, asked me if I would help her hear what women are thinking about mentoring, I was happy to do so.
Mary Hasson, asks, "I am writing a piece on "mentor moms," focusing on the idea that moms
who are beyond the baby years have time and wisdom to share with their
younger counterparts. [Some churches] have
established programs that bring younger moms and older moms together in
those kinds of relationships. In [other churches], these
relationships seem to establish themselves more informally or
organically.
" I would love to hear from your readers on two points: If they are
younger moms: Would they be interested in a mentoring relationship
with an older mom and, if so, what qualities would they look for? I'd
love to hear their stories of moms who filled that role or how they
found a mentor.
" For older moms: Are they open to sharing their time and wisdom? What
do they feel they have to give? How would they begin such a
relationship (suggesting it to a younger mom or wait to be asked)?
Again, I'd love to hear stories of the mentors in their own lives or
how they have become involved in mentoring younger moms (however
informally)."
So, have you been blessed by a mentor? Have you reached out to mentor? Do you wish you had a mentor? Do you find mentors in your neighborhood, your parish, online?
You can reply here, in the comments, or you can write to Mary directly at catholicmentormoms@gmail.com.
Let's talk!
