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By Tricia Goyer
 Have you ever looked to an older mother and thought, “I want to be just like her”? Perhaps you liked the way she handled her toddler’s disobedience (she didn’t blow up!), or the way she prays with her preschooler before meals. Whether this older mother realizes it or not, she can be a mothering mentor in your life.
Mothering mentors can be found in your neighborhood, at church, or at Teen MOPS meetings. She’s someone you respect and trust—someone who’s making an effort to invest in you and your child.
If you find an older mother who fits this criteria, invite her to your house for a soda or ask if you can meet at the park to talk. It helps to remember that even older moms who look as if they “have it all together” once received help and advice from others. That’s how they have gotten where they are!
Developing a relationship with a mothering mentor is one way to receive great support and advice from someone who has been where you are in mothering. Here are some nuggets of advice from mothering mentors:
“Be consistent so that your child doesn’t receive mixed signals.” –Jennifer
“Pick and choose what you get stressed about.” –Kayleigh
“Trust that you know your own child. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t know what you’re talking about if you feel your child’s sick or something’s wrong.” –Tina
“What children see, they will learn.” –Marjie
“Always follow through with what you tell your child. If you say you’re going to take a toy away because it wasn’t picked up, then do it. On the other hand, if you tell your child you’re going to take him to the park, do that too. –Jan
“All moms make mistakes, and you will too. Just do the best you can and your children will love you for it.” –Alyice
If you’d like more good advice like this, consider finding a mothering mentor. Once you find a woman to build a relationship with, together decide on the specifics. Set a date for a once-a-month lunch or just stick to impromptu phone calls. But remember, the best way to become a wise mother is to surround yourself with them!
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