Better Than YouTube
Worth Your Time!
Resource Recommendations to Help You Parent and Mentor Most Effectively
Hi everyone! A couple times in the past month I've shared some observations and reflections that relate to mentoring rather than a specific resource. This week will be similar, but I'll return to resources next week. :)
What They Can't Learn from YouTube
Recently, I heard that a young family member taught herself crocheting by watching YouTube videos. My first reaction was, "That's great!" It is.
Later on, it occurred to me that in previous generations she would have probably learned crocheting while sitting alongside an older lady, from whom she also would have learned about life.
Unfortunately, learning new skills and hobbies online has largely replaced learning them in the context of meaningful relationships where mentoring occurs naturally. This is a great loss both for us and for young people.
While being thankful for the opportunities YouTube gives us, what can we also do to build connections with this generation like many of us had while growing up?
What YOU Can Do
Consider the skills/hobbies you have/enjoy that you could teach a young person. Do you work on cars? Are you a good cook? Is chess (a popular activity at camp) one of your hobbies? Do you hunt? Can you ice skate? Do you have a favorite card game? The possibilities are endless! Take a few minutes and write down what you can offer a young person.
Consider what a young person can teach you. My two favorite hobbies are kayaking and camping, both of which I learned from a young man many years ago. Let them teach you - what do they know how to do that you would like to learn? Take a few minutes and write down what you'd like to learn.
Ask. Which young people may be interested in what you can offer? Who has skills/hobbies you'd like to learn? Then take a courageous step and have a conversation with them. It's ok for it to be awkward!
Groups are great. My recommendation is no more than you plus three young people (unless you add another adult), because after that the young people will usually split into two groups.
Pray for opportunities to naturally share your faith while you're together.
Be a good listener, and give them plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
Note: Many adults assume that a young person wouldn't want to spend time with them. Why do we assume that? That's actually the opposite of my experience. Many young people are eager to spend time with adults - most of them just aren't asked. Learning something new is a bonus!