Do my kids really feel seen? Do they know I’m in their corner?
These are questions we, as parents, ask ourselves all the time. In the whirlwind of daily life—between school drop-offs, work, meals, and bedtime routines—it’s easy to assume that because we’re physically present, our kids feel emotionally connected. But the truth is, connection requires intentionality.
That’s why our family started weekly one-on-one mentoring sessions with each of our children. This dedicated time ensures that every child feels valued, heard, and guided in their personal growth. And let me tell you—it has changed everything.
The Power of Mentoring: More Than Just a Chat
When we first started mentoring sessions, we weren’t sure how they would go. Would our kids even want to sit down with us for 30 minutes? Would they open up? Would it feel forced?
What we found was the opposite: our children craved this time. They loved the chance to have our undivided attention, to share their wins, their struggles, and their dreams.
Mentoring isn’t about fixing our kids or micromanaging their choices—it’s about creating a safe space where they can think out loud, set goals, and learn problem-solving skills with our guidance.
How One-on-One Time Strengthens Family Bonds
- It Builds Trust – Kids need to know they have a steady, safe place to talk. When they know they can come to you with the little things, they’ll trust you with the big things later.
- It Helps Them Feel Seen – In a big family (or even a small one), it’s easy for a child to feel overlooked. These sessions ensure each child gets dedicated, quality time.
- It Encourages Growth – Whether it’s setting goals, overcoming struggles, or celebrating victories, mentoring teaches kids to take ownership of their lives.
- It Strengthens Emotional Connection – When kids feel heard, they respond better to guidance and correction in everyday life.
Mentoring as Christ-Centered Parenting
As Christian parents, our goal isn’t just to raise good kids—it’s to raise disciples of Christ. Jesus, our perfect example, ministered to individuals one by one, knowing their names, their struggles, and their hearts. He took time to teach, uplift, and guide each person personally.
One-on-one mentoring is a way to follow His example within our own families. It allows us to:
- Teach Gospel Principles in a Personal Way – Every child has different spiritual needs, and these sessions provide a space to help them apply gospel truths to their own lives.
- Encourage Christlike Attributes – We can help our children develop faith, patience, gratitude, and resilience through meaningful conversations and goal-setting.
- Build a Relationship of Trust – Just as Christ invites us to “Come unto Me” (Matthew 11:28), our mentoring time invites our children to come to us for guidance, comfort, and encouragement.
These sessions become a powerful tool in spiritually strengthening our children and preparing them to stand strong in an ever-changing world.
How to Start Your Own Mentoring Tradition
The key to making this work is consistency. Here’s how we do it:
✅ Set Aside 30 Minutes Per Child Per Week – We schedule it like an important meeting because, well, it is!
✅ Use a Simple Mentoring Sheet – We created a Mentoring Session Sheet that guides the conversation so we can cover what’s most important.
✅ Let Your Child Lead the Conversation – Start with Exciting News—something they’re proud of or happy about from the past week.
✅ Help Them Set & Track Goals – We check in on previous goals and set new ones (spiritual, physical, personal).
✅ Encourage Open Discussion – We ask about challenges they’re facing and how we can support them.
✅ Make It Fun & Positive – This isn’t an interrogation! It’s a chance to laugh, dream, and connect.
The Long-Term Impact
After months of doing these mentoring sessions, we’ve noticed some powerful changes:
- Our kids are more confident in expressing themselves.
- They take more responsibility for their goals and choices.
- They open up more readily about their struggles.
- Our family relationships have grown deeper and stronger.
If you’re ready to start this in your own home, we’ve made it easy for you! Download our Mentoring Session Sheets and use them as a simple, structured way to connect with your children each week.
Download the Mentoring Sheets Here!
Related Posts on Self-Government & Parenting
Looking for more ways to strengthen your family relationships? Check out these posts:
➡ A Self-Government Approach to Restoring Peace & Order in Your Home
➡ The Power of Calm Leadership
➡ What to do When Kids Test Boundaries.
And stay tuned for the next blog post in this series: How to Run a Powerful Mentoring Session with Your Child!