Big Brother, Big Sisters organization?

[DenverSarah]

My child is undiagnosed ADHD and often shows signs of depression. Part of the problem is a broken family and bio-dad often blows him off. I was thinking that something like Big brothers/Big Sisters might be good. For anyone who doens't know it is an organization that pairs kids with adult volunteers who promise to spend time with them doing fun stuff about 1 hour once a week. Anyone ever done this?

[rosyred45]

I think it would be a good idea to look into.

Unfortunately they just pulled the plugg on ours here, so thank goodness you aren't here

[camismom]

I have never done it but I have heard really good things about it. I think it would be good for your ds.

[vickilyn32]

My dad was a big brother for a few years to a boy who was the same age as me. I remember he spend lots of time with us as a family and also some time just him and dad. I was only 11 or so, so I dont know how it may have affected his life, but I remember having a blast with him when we would get together for rollerskating or something. (I am an only child so it was great to have another kid around sometimes). I think a lot would depend on who the big brother was. I do know that Jerry seemed to really like dad. Sometimes people just dont "click" together, and sometimes they get along right from the start. All you can do is give it a try, and make sure the branch in your area does a careful screening of all of its volunteers. Ask them for people you can talk to, moms and kids if they would let you.

[Amsmom]

my ds8 was matched with his big brother in june 03 and it was the best, best, BEST thing i could have ever done for him!!! we are lucky that he was matched with a phenomenal man, who truly cares about my ds and wants to be in his life "for the long haul" as he puts it. the adults are the "bigs" and the kids are known as the "littles". his "big" is an attorney, married 25 yrs with 3 kids in college. i couldnt ask for a more ideal person to be in my ds's life. he takes my ds out to fun places, takes him to play ball at his house and have dinner with his family, lets my ds talk about whatever is on his mind and....this is the really unbelievable one...he says he "welcomes" my ds's inappropriate behavior b/c he wants to help him and me. this man is truly an angel and we are so incredibly lucky to have him in our lives.

the program does do a thorough background screening and works hard to try to make a good match. then after you are matched, they call every month or so to see how it is going. it has been a yr and a half and they still call every few months to see how ds and his big are doing. my ds says, "mommy, why do they keep calling, don't they remember how great he is and how much i love him?"

my ds does not have any contact from his bio-"father" (i prefer to call him the donor). i am not remarried, so there really was not a good male mentor in my ds's life. i dont know if your husband being there would make a difference to the program, but it is worth looking into. it is such a fantastic program. good luck!!!

[finnmom]

Hi Denversharah, I´d give it a try too. I think that´s wonderfull thing to do for kid. Some close adult out-of-family could be able to talk about thing´s he would never talk to bio-dad(or to you as a mom, no offence but kid´s dont want to talk all the thing´s with mom´s ), so if there is organzation; go for it, give it a try!!!

[gabrielsmom]

OMG Amsmom:

How did you get the ball rolling on this?..I have wanted my son to have a big brother for a long time and don't know how to begin the process. I even asked my boss to mentor my son since he is also ADHD (BIG TIME) but he is a lawyer and the V.P. of a Union, but his schedule is so hectic that he really can't do it. Can you tell me how to start this process?.. who do I contact? Do you have a contact number? ...any infor would be greatly appreciated.

I am in the same situation and you. My son's father in not part of his life and and I am single. My son desperately needs a strong male figure in his life. Someone he can do some fun stuff with and who is capable of accepting him the way he is.

[Amsmom]

hey josh!!!
below is a link that i hope will get you started enrolling gabriel in the big bro/big sis program. it's for the nyc area!(if i remembered wrong and thats not your area, pls let me know)

www.bigsnyc.org/

once you enroll him and paperwork is completed, you will be contacted by a social worker who will meet you and gabriel. he/she will interview you both and then attempt to make a match with an appropriate volunteer. it's the best move you can make, you will be sooo happy you did it!!! good luck and keep me posted!!!!!

[gabrielsmom]

GOD BLESS YOU !!!!

And yes...I am in the NYC area. Thank you so much. I will certainly keep you posted.

WOOHOO!!!!

Josh