--- title: The Life Cycle of Mentoring Relationships | Search Institute description: The rewards of mentoring relationships are immeasurable. Like all relationships, the bonds formed while mentoring youth are subject to change and growth. Most mentoring relationships go through predictable stages, according authors Gail Manza and Susan K. Patrick. In their book, The Mentor’s Field Guide, Ms. Manza and Ms. Patrick spell out the six stages in [...] --- Theme + Migration = $1489 (Pay for the Theme Only). 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[![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - BLOG - SHOP - DONATE - CONTACT - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) - [RESOURCE HUB](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub) # Blog January 22, 2014 2 Minutes Read By : [searchinstitute](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/searchinstitute) Topics Developmental Relationships Research Developmental Assets Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Youth Programs Provide Support Family Engagement Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) SI Spotlight Social Capital Share Power Solutions Youth Thriving Education / School Expand Possibilities Student Voice Challenge Growth Summer Scholars Thriving Youth Voice Express Care Sparks Data Insights Faith Field Partner Spotlight LGBTQ+ Workshops Relationship Ready Schools Conversation Starters Sports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) # The Life Cycle of Mentoring Relationships [![Share on twitter](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Flife-cycle-mentoring-relationships%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Flife-cycle-mentoring-relationships%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Flife-cycle-mentoring-relationships%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Flife-cycle-mentoring-relationships%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) # The Life Cycle of Mentoring Relationships By [searchinstitute](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/searchinstitute) January 21 2014 2 Minutes Read The rewards of mentoring relationships are immeasurable. Like all relationships, the bonds formed while mentoring youth are subject to change and growth. Most mentoring relationships go through predictable stages, according authors Gail Manza and Susan K. Patrick. In their book, [*The Mentor’s Field Guide*](https://www.search-institute.org/product/the-mentors-field-guide-answers-you-need-to-help-kids-succeed/), Ms. Manza and Ms. Patrick spell out the six stages in the “life cycle” that you as a mentor could encounter when working with young people. > **Introductory Stage.** During this time, the primary objective is for you and your mentee to get to know each other and begin establishing a sense of trust. Two things are especially important during this time: be reliable in showing up for meetings and involve your mentee in deciding how you will spend time together. > > > > **Relationship-Building Stage.** Your primary objective during this time is to solidify a sense of trust and closeness with your mentee. You can begin to expand your mentee’s range of experiences by going to museums, for example, but continue to let your mentee make decisions about how you spend time together. > > > > **Growth Stage.** Your objectives here are to encourage and support your mentee’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth. You should be quite comfortable with each other by now. You may find that your mentee will share little problems that he or she is having, which gives you a wonderful opportunity to guide him or her in developing problem-solving skills. If sensitive topics come up, turn to your program coordinator for advice. > > > > **Maturation Stage.** At this stage, you know your mentee quite well, but it’s still important to let your mentee take the lead in what you talk about or do. Working on life goals can be very productive at this stage. Even elementary kids like to talk about what they want to be when they grow up. > > > > **Transition Stage.** Transitions happen for many reasons. The mentee may be getting older, or his or her family may be moving. Allow your program coordinator to help manage this transition. > > > > **Termination.** The final stage is when the relationship ends. Either you or your mentee may initiate the termination, or life circumstance may lead to it. In many cases, mentors and mentees have worked together for many years and continue to stay in touch. If you would like to learn more about mentoring, please join us January 28, 2014, at 12PM – 1PM CST for [*Mentoring Youth: Tips for Getting Started and Staying Motivated*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFVAouTbAUM), a free webinar hosted by national mentoring expert and co-author of *The Mentor’s Field Guide*, Gail Manza. In this webinar participants will learn about: -     the benefits of youth mentoring -     the differences between formal and informal mentoring -     factors that contribute to effective mentoring -     how to start or connect with a mentoring program -     follow-up resources to find a mentoring program near you #### searchinstitute Author ## Recommended For You [![Youth in DREAM program enjoy a city splash pad.](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/DREAM-SplashPad.jpg)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/from-mentoring-model-to-relational-infrastructure) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Youth Programs](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/youth-programs) [Solutions](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/solutions) [Data Insights](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/data-insights) [Field Partner Spotlight](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/field-partner-spotlight) [Youth Thriving](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/youth-thriving) 5 Min Read ### [From Mentoring Model to Relational Infrastructure: Building a System Designed for Youth Thriving](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/from-mentoring-model-to-relational-infrastructure) [Search Institute June 09 2026](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) 1 Min Read ### [Developing Trust in Your Mentoring Relationship](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/developing-trust-mentoring-relationship) [searchinstitute January 29 2014](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/searchinstitute) [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/The-Importance-of-Mentoring-Relationships.jpg)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/each-one-teach-one-the-importance-of-mentoring-relationships) 4 Min Read ### [Each One Teach One: The Importance of Mentoring Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/each-one-teach-one-the-importance-of-mentoring-relationships) [Search Institute June 06 2022](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) ![search-footerlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/search-footerlogo.png "search-footerlogo") ## Search Institute 2550 University Avenue West Suite 200N St. Paul, MN 55114 800.888.7828 612.376.8955 i[nfo@searchinstitute.org](mailto:info@searchinstitute.org) - [Research](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [Solutions](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [Insights](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [Funders & Partners](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [About](https://searchinstitute.org/about) - [Blog](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/) - [Donate](https://searchinstitute.org/donate) - [Contact](https://searchinstitute.org/contact) - [Subscribe to our Newsletter](https://searchinstitute.org/subscribe-to-our-enewsletter) - [Cancellations, Returns & Refunds](https://searchinstitute.org/cancellations-returns-refunds) - [Public Records](https://searchinstitute.org/nonprofit-status-public-records) - [Permissions Request Form](https://survey.search-institute.org/s3/Permissions-Request-Form) - [Keep Connected](http://keepconnected.searchinstitute.org/) ©2024 Search Institute | [Terms of Use](https://www.search-institute.org/terms-of-use/) Search Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable corporation. 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