Building a Team for Your Child is Vital​

All children need adults in their life that aren’t their parents. Building relationships with different adults helps them learn to seek out resources and it also enhances their independence and resilience. Other adults are often a neutral, objective presence in a child’s life. They can bring an outside perspective to a child’s challenges and be another person with whom they can celebrate successes.

Sometimes, children find these other adults on their own: relatives, teachers, coaches, and school counselors are often easily accessible to kids. But you can also introduce them to other adults and help them foster relationships with people you trust like close friends of yours, neighbors, tutors, faith community members, librarians, or therapists.

Think about introducing them to people who have a diversity of backgrounds and could give your child new perspectives on life. Choose individuals who will encourage your child and show him or her empathy and compassion. Also think about people who would have extended time to spend with your child so a real connection can form.

Consider finding several adults that could create a team of three or four. When you are thinking about building a team, ask yourself what you’d like for your child. Perhaps you would like to encourage a certain skill in him or her and you want to find someone who could be a mentor. Or maybe your child needs an adult confidant who is not a parent. However you go about it, relationships with other adults will greatly enhance your child’s life.​