The autumn Parent-Mentor Cooperation meeting took place on Friday afternoon at the Szentes Community House. Parents came prepared for the meeting, and discussions began on several topics. The young people are currently in 9th grade, so adolescent behavior remains a relevant issue, including how to manage their children’s behavior, how to motivate them to complete tasks at home and school, and how to be more active with the Foundation. One of the most practical suggestions was finding ways to reduce their time spent on mobile devices.
Despite the challenges of teenage behavior, many young people do seek help to explore new areas and spend their days more productively, though this isn’t yet widespread. A positive reinforcement system for completing assigned tasks was also highlighted as a potential motivator. Additionally, there was discussion about the role of parents in everyday life, as the children are neither fully children nor adults at their age. In certain cases, decisions are not age-appropriate, as the young people are not yet in a position to make complex decisions on their own. It is the parents’ responsibility to make good decisions together, which will help shape the young people’s future.
Other topics included dealing with harmful habits, how to address them, and issues related to relationships, intimacy, and safety, which are relevant to their age group. The meeting concluded with a discussion of upcoming tasks and events for the near future.
— Márta Őzéné Törőcsik
Mentor, Szentes Group 2