{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"You Can Mentor: A Christian Youth Mentoring Podcast","title":"243. Building Trust by Creating a Safe Environment // Mentoring Minute","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":307,"description":"Creating a Foundation of Trust by Building a Safe Environment\n\nTrust is the foundation of your mentoring relationship. Above all else, your mentee has to believe that you are good and that you want them to succeed. \n\nThe author Stephen Covey says “Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”\n\nBut what if your mentee has experienced hard times? What if there is trauma in their past or they have been betrayed by those who should have been taking care of them? \n\nBecause of their histories, it is often difficult for these children to trust the loving adults in their lives, which often results in perplexing behaviors.\n\nWhile a variety of mentoring strategies may be successful with some children, children with histories of harm need caregiving that meets their unique needs and addresses the whole child.\n\nThat is why even some of the most successful parents are confused when what worked with their child does not work with their mentee. \n\nTrust must be established between the mentor and the mentee before you can take any steps of progress in your mentoring relationship. And it can take some time. The reality is that some mentees trust their mentor in three weeks while it takes others over a year. But we can’t give up. We must continue to show up to build trust. \n\nThe best way to build trust is to create a safe environment. \nGet down on their level. \nMake eye contact with them. \nGive them space and go at their pace. \nSmile often. \nGive appropriate touch.\nUse words of affirmation often. \nUndivided attention.\nBe patient. \n\nWhen your mentee raises their emotions, you stay calm. Listen to them. \n\nThis works with eight year olds and eighteen year olds. Even if they look like grown adults, we must always remember that they are still children on the inside.\n\nThis safe environment will create a nurturing relationship built on a foundation of trust. \n\nFor some of our kids,...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/1Xka3zDiBlBt17bxGFKaPNKtfL4x0Qw6Yce8LqvHcjw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wMTU4/YTYzZjc5Y2M5NjY4/MTFkZmY0NjExMzM2/Njc1MC5qcGVn.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}