Stage #2 "Norming"

The Norming stage usually occurs in the first four to eight months of the mentor/mentee relationship.  During Norming, the mentor and youth search and discover a common language and shared experiences, and trust continues to build as both find points of connection with each other.  Conversations move beyond simple "yes" and "no" answers into deeper discussions of important issues.  A level of comfort is reached during this stage. 

In the Norming stage the following behaviors are common:

• More open communication from your mentee.  He/she will feel safe discussing serious matters with you.  Do not take this for granted, and tread carefully when it comes to injecting your own opinions on the situations.  Rely on the training you received from C2E, check your personal agenda at the door, learn to listen, and learn the right time to give your advice.

• Building of trust.  Now that you've been following through with your committment with your mentee he/she trusts you and is willing to let his/her guard down.  You have earned this trust and can lose it quickly, so again rely on the training from C2E to continue cultivating trust.

• The mentor and mentee should begin to enjoy each other's company.  The pressure of the beginning stage wears off and you and your mentee will begin to enjoy the time you spend together.  It is important to go into each session open to the possibility that a positive meeting might not be possible.  You mentee needs to feel like its okay to be upset about something during your time together, so be quick to adjust your expectations if you feel the meeting is taking a negative turn and rely on the C2E training you received.

• The expectations from the mentor and mentee become clear.  Once you hit this stage you know what to expect during your weekly sessions as well as what is expected of you.  Your mentee will feel the same way.