Families on Philadelphia’s Main Line can work with a Blackburn mentor by video. Clients in Narberth, Ardmore, Wynnewood, Gladwyne, Wayne, Berwyn, Devon, Paoli and Malvern are matched with one dedicated mentor, meet weekly or several times a week in Eastern time, and stay in touch by text and phone between sessions. Our team is in Los Angeles.
Suburbs strung along a railroad
The Main Line takes its name from the old Pennsylvania Railroad line running west from the city, and the regional rail line still ties the towns together, stop by stop, from Lower Merion through Radnor and into Tredyffrin and Chester County. Stone houses, old trees, a long tradition of independent schools and strong public districts give the area its character.
When everyone knows the family
In close-knit suburbs, a student who is struggling may feel there is nowhere private to say so. Parents may hesitate to ask around for help. A mentor who lives outside the area and meets by video can be a relief for both. The student gets one adult who is not part of the school, the club or the extended family, and parents still get regular progress updates, with the student’s knowledge.
The issues themselves are familiar:
- A capable student who has stopped trying, often after a setback. See fear of failure.
- A teen who is overscheduled and running on very little sleep.
- A college student who is not telling the family how it is really going. See when a college student hides grades.
- A recent graduate back home, unsure whether to start in Center City, New York or somewhere else.
Expectations, handed down
Some families carry a clear picture of what success looks like: a certain kind of school, a certain kind of career. Some young people thrive with that picture. Others feel it was chosen for them. A mentor does not take sides. The work is to help the young person name what they want, test it in small steps and talk with their parents about it in a way that keeps the relationship intact. See how to talk with an adult child about the future.
Commuting into Center City
Young professionals on the Main Line often ride the train into Center City or drive the Schuylkill, and long days can crowd out everything that is not work. A mentor helps protect a few things each week: exercise, a savings goal, time with friends and one step toward the next career move. See work-life balance for young professionals.
A weekly rhythm from the suburbs
- 30 or 60 minute video sessions, weekly or several times a week.
- Goals broken into steps for the coming days, written down.
- Short text or phone check-ins between sessions.
- With permission, regular updates to parents.
The Main Line is three hours ahead of Los Angeles. A 4 pm session after school in Wayne is 1 pm for the mentor, and evening sessions are easy for young adults who commute into the city.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor is a practical guide, not a tutor, therapist or admissions counselor, and can coordinate with any of those a family already uses. Families with teenagers usually begin with mentoring for high school students; parents of a young adult at home might read mentoring for families. For the wider city, see online mentoring in Philadelphia, and for how sessions run, our online mentoring page.
Related
- Online mentoring in Philadelphia
- Online mentoring in Princeton and Central New Jersey
- Online mentoring in Baltimore
- Helping a struggling college student
- Online Mentoring and Coaching in Pennsylvania
Common questions
Do you meet families in person on the Main Line?
No. Our team is in Los Angeles, and Main Line clients work with their mentor by video, with text and phone contact between sessions.
Will the mentor talk to our child’s school?
With the family’s permission, mentors can coordinate with professionals already involved. Mentors are not tutors or admissions counselors.
Can a mentor work with our child while they are at college elsewhere?
Yes. Sessions are online, so the mentor meets the student wherever they are and, with permission, keeps parents informed.
Get started
Would it help to talk through what your student needs? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.