Marriage Moats-Pick One

Published: Sun, 02/24/13

Marriage Moats

Caring for Marriage

I read an article about how to choose a mentor. I watched the process in action this fall when my son grappled with how to find one for his senior writing project. Eventually I suggested his soccer buddy, who also happens to teach English 101. Zack bounded at the idea and I earned beaucoup mom points. They talk weekly, and Zack is motivated to crank out pages for his script.

The article I mentioned has six steps for narrowing down who and what to ask for. They include focusing, choosing a time frame and brainstorming about names. I am tickled that mentoring is becoming more mainstream. Rugged individualism, move over. It is not wimpy to have support.

The marriage mentoring program John and I are creating is taking root. People are less squeamish about the suggestion to meet with an older couple once a month. Word has even trickled back to me that it's enjoyable.

"My daughter is really happy with the couple you matched them with."

"My friend told me you set her up with a great mentor couple. Can you tell me about it?"

I have set my own goals. I hope for the program to include a hundred people by its first birthday, and two hundred by the second. There are after all no constraints about cash flow, or building capacity. There aren't bottlenecks around certification or supervision.

In stark contrast to the economy of scarcity and fiscal demise, there is warmth enough for everyone who turns their face to the sun.

Photo by Joy Feerrar

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