The holidays lead to a wide variety of feelings for everyone, but especially children who deal with stress and grief due to poverty and family issues. You can be a bright source of joy that is based on true hope, peace, and love.
In your hours with your mentees leading up to the winter break:
- Focus on the gift of your relationship.
- Talk about things to be thankful for that are not material
- Send a note to their home describing what you appreciate about their child.
- Avoid big, expensive gifts. You may want to show care. It may be fun to see their excitement. You ought miss the external excitement, but you are giving a long-lasting gift – the gift of caring attention.