|
For some mentors the stress is 12 months not 6 weeks. I lost sleep during the summer worrying about getting sposership money, getting new engineers, makaing sure the finincial books for last season were closed and everyone was thanked. And on and on.
Last year was our first year back and we started planning in July with weekly meetings of a committee of mentors. The fall was involved in recruiting - kids, adults, money, etc. The 6 weeks of build was a bump on the road. Behind the "action" was making sure travel was worked out for a regional and as a late addition the Championship. After the season there was more work to be done to close out the year and get an early start on this year.
I had to actually step back from what I was doing. In large part this was because of work related commitments. Like many teachers I have a second job. But part of it was stress.
Hopefully I will be able to jump back in with both feet soon. If nothing else there have been other adults who stepped in to take over some of the things that cost me sleep last year.
But honestly I know that there are some teams with one adult mentor who does 90% of the things that no one sees but that need to be done. I don't know how they do it.
If you are a mentor dealing with lots of stress you need to get other people to take some of the work off your hands. OTherwise you will burn out and that does no one any good.
|