Importance of Bigs in a Little’s Life During Holiday Season

Mentors play a valuable role in a mentee’s life. The importance of mentoring becomes even more pronounced during the holiday season. This time of year often focuses on relationships between family members and the comforts of home. Many mentees don’t have stable family relationships and home lives. They count on mentors to fill this void.

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At Big Brothers Big Sisters, mentors are our ‘Bigs,’ and mentees are our ‘Littles.’ Find out how mentoring programs for youth are even more valuable during the holiday season.

Why Young People Need Mentors

Mentors can simply guide young people, helping them achieve school and career goals, but the youth in the BBBS programs often have additional needs. They may be dealing with:

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• Foster care: A child in foster care may not feel connected to their foster parents. Things can be even more difficult if they are not placed during the holiday season.

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• Homelessness: Homeless youths will find it challenging to enjoy the warmth and comfort of the holiday season.

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• Disabilities: Young people with disabilities often feel isolated and depressed. These feelings become more acute during the holiday season.

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• A Lack of Parent Presence Due to Incarceration or Military Service: Children unable to bond with parents during the holiday season can become depressed.

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• Correctional Facilities Due to Delinquent Behavior: A child placed in a juvenile facility or dealing with legal matters may find it difficult to enjoy the holidays. There are often underlying causes of wayward behavior that can add to depression and anxiety.

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• Pregnancies: Pregnant youth may be stressed out during the holiday season. Teen parents may be unsure how to make a lovely holiday for their child.

The Impact of Mentoring During the Holiday Season

A mentor can help by:

Taking the Place of a Parent During the Holiday Season

A mentor may never truly replace a parent during the holiday season, but they can offer support and communication, making the teen feel more connected during the holiday season.

Talking to the Little

A mentor may notice if a youth feels depressed during the holiday season. They may

pick up on cues like:

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• Reluctance to engage in fun activities
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Panic attacks
• Self-deprecatory language

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If a mentor notices signs of stress and depression, they can talk to the youth to find out what’s bothering them. They should normalize the youth’s feelings, letting them know that many people feel the same around the holiday season.

Check-Ins

Mentors should check in with youths regularly, but they should primarily keep

communication open during the holiday season. They can casually text the youth to see how they are doing or make more of an impact by sending holiday cards and checking in with parents and guardians.

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Some mentors may be away during the holiday season. They should set up a special

holiday video conference with their mentee if this is the case. They may decorate their video conferencing space, play holiday music, or both decide to drink hot cocoa and eat holiday cookies while they talk.

Special Trips

A mentor may set up a special holiday outing to bring a sense of cheer during the

holiday season. Here are some ideas:

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• An ice-skating trip
• A trip to a holiday market
• A seasonal theater performance
• Community holiday events
• An outing to check out Christmas lights in the area

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When planning an outing, consult with the youth to determine what they want to do. Be flexible with scheduling and remain open to their ideas. Ensure they feel comfortable with the plan.

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Youth Mentoring Programs

Most children are happy to be out of school during the holiday season, but those who

face adversity may become stressed without that sense of stability. Providers may offer special programs that replace school at holiday time. They allow youths to engage in fun activities and connect with mentors.

Gift Giving

Mentors may give mentees gifts during the holiday season, but they must be aware of specific guidelines. Sometimes, the organization will send out information ensuring the mentor gives an appropriate gift, or they may gather donations and buy gifts for their mentees. However, if the mentor is on their own, here are some things to remember.

• Avoid elaborate gifts- aim to keep spending under $20
• Focus on meaningful or educational gifts
• Consider giving gifts to the entire family, like a gift card to a movie or restaurant, to avoid sibling jealousy 

Youth Mentoring Programs Make the Season Brighter

Big Brothers and Big Sisters offer several youth mentoring programs near me that

ensure mentees have an enjoyable holiday season. They include:

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Families as Partners: Families and guardians work with mentors to develop programs

catered to the youth’s strengths and needs. Families take an active role by approving mentor-mentee outings and activities, asking the youth about those outings for a sharing experience, regularly reporting on their child’s progress and milestones, and participating in safety training programs. Children in our Families as 

Partners program thrive with the support of their families and mentors.

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On-Site Programs: On-site programs take place at schools and community centers.

With an unstructured approach, Littles can spend their time talking to Bigs, getting

homework assistance, or engaging in fun activities. These programs can be prolonged during the holiday season to replace the structure of school that often keeps kids grounded.

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Community-Based Programs: Littles and Bigs can participate in community-based

programs like museum trips, listening to music, walks in the park, or just talking and

hanging out. These get-togethers are especially vital during the holiday season.

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The importance of a mentor cannot be underestimated, but it is especially vital during the holiday season. It can make the mentee feel connected and minimize anxiety and depression. Big Brothers Big Sisters offers youth mentoring programs that help Littles get through the holidays. Contact us to learn more about the programs we offer.

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