GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS

1. Please don’t discuss your child with the Senior Partner in the presence of your child.  If you think there is something he or she should know, call him or her when your child is away.

2.    Try to help your child be considerate of the Senior Partner (such as remembering birthdays, making occasional phone calls, etc.)…but please do not interfere in their relationship with excessive quizzing and judgments.  This is your child’s relationship.

3.    If there is something about the relationship that concerns you, contact the Partners office immediately.  Not talking about your concerns may damage the relationship.

4.    Try to let the volunteer know, once in a while, that his or her efforts are appreciated.

5.    Remember, the relationship that exists is between your child and the Senior Partner.  Don’t request that you or other family members be included in outings.

6.    Forgive minor mistakes in judgment.  The Senior Partner is not a trained professional-nor is he or she perfect.  You will probably disagree with the volunteer sometimes.

7.    The parent/guardian should not deprive the child of the weekly visit with the Senior Partner as a means of discipline.  Remember the volunteer is giving his/her time and energy to be your child’s friend.

8.    The Senior Partner will be telling you when she or he will be returning your child after an outing.  Make a point of being home at that time.

9.    Be flexible.  Remember the volunteer has a busy schedule too.

10. Give it time.  This relationship needs time to develop-at least three months.  So don’t judge it too quickly.

11.Your child’s Senior Partner is a person too.  Get to know him or her at least to the degree that you feel comfortable with him or her.

12.Your child’s Senior Partner is not a taxi cab service, Santa Claus or baby sitter.  Please don’t treat him or her as such.

13.Read the newsletter!  It advises you and your child of upcoming events for both parent and child!