Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rock Walworth and Jefferson Counties

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rock, Jefferson, and Walworth Counties on Facebook

BBBS of Rock, Jefferson and Walworth counties are also agencies of the Stateline United Way, United Way of Northern Rock County, Geneva Lakes Area United Way, Delavan Darien United Way, United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.

Resources

Big Brothers Big Sisters Match Support Specialists are a Big's first line of support for any questions you might have. If you're wondering how to help your Little with an issue that he/she is facing, the best bet is to call your Match Support Specialist.

Rock County: Crystal Monyak at 608-362-8223 or bbbscrystal@hotmail.com
Walworth County: Amber Burke at 920-563-2876 or bbbsamber@hotmail.com or Brooke Shackleton at 262-728-8865 or bbbsbrooke@netzero.com
Jefferson County: Amber Burke at 920-563-2876 or bbbsamber@hotmail.com or Michelle Wales at 920-563-2876 or bbbsmichelle@hotmail.com

Match Support Tips

Our Match Support Specialists will be in contact with you on a monthly basis (if your match is less than 1 year old) to discuss how things are progressing with your match. Please be prepared to share the highlights of how things are going or ask questions on how to handle certain things. A few frequently asked questions are listed below:

Q: I went to pick up my Little Brother for a scheduled activity and he wasn't there. What should I do?

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Q: What can I do if my Little frequently wants to spend money or doesn't want to leave at the end of an activity?

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A: It's OK to say "no

It can sometimes be difficult to say "no" to our Littles. As a Big, it is important to feel comfortable setting limits. Children thrive when they know what they can expect and what is expected of them. Some children will test adults in new settings to see how far they can go before they are told "no." Limit testing is common around issues of time and money. Call your Match Support Specialist to explore ways to feel comfortable setting limits with your Little without feeling guilty.

When you pick up your Little, let your Little and his / her parent / caregiver know what time you will be back. As the end of your time together approaches, give your Little reminders. For example, "we have time to play one more game" or "we need to leave in 15 minutes."
Remind the child that the focus of Big Brothers Big Sisters is friendship, not money
If your match is new, it helps to start out by doing fun activities that don't cost you anything.
Sit down together with your Little and brainstorm activity ideas you would like to do that don't require spending money.
When you are arranging the activity, discuss with your Little and his/her caregiver whether you will be eating together during your activity or if your Little should eat before you pick him/her up.
If your Little often says he/she is hungry during your activities, plan ahead and bring along a snack.
Rather than asking your Little "What do you want to do?", provide your Little with a few free or low cost activities to choose from.
Set a budget for the month and talk with your Little about the options. For example: "We have $20 to spend this month for our four activities. That can be $5 per activity, $10 on two outings and two free ones, or $20 on one outing and three free ones." ($20 is just an example).
Stick to the limit you set. It's OK to say "no", but let them down gently.
Remember, your Match Support Specialist is here to problem- solve and assist. Your MSS can also talk with the child about realistic expectations of the program.

Q: I'm having trouble keeping in touch with my Little. How can we keep our match going if my Little does not have a phone?

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Q: What are some ideas for no-cost or low-cost type activities?

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A: Listed below are many different ideas of things to do. You may also want to check with your local chamber office for upcoming events in your area. Also, make sure your MSS has your email address so that we can let you know when we have free event tickets or annual get-togethers for our matches.

Pick up a ball & play catch, football, frisbee, baseball.
Shoot hoops at a local school yard or climb on their playground equipment.
Take walks using local nature trails (Janesville's Ice Age Trail goes through the city for miles).
Fly a kite.
Play a board game or put together a jigsaw puzzle.
Plant seeds in flower pots & watch them grow - give away as gifts!
Check out local events like festivals, parades, concerts.
Have a picnic.
Take the dog for a walk.
Volunteer together at a local food pantry, humane society or other community need.
Take pictures during all your get-togethers and put a scrapbook together.
Bake cookies.
Play cards or work on a crossword puzzle together.
Do a good deed for someone - rake leaves, shovel snow, bake cookies or mow a lawn.
Visit your Littles open house and school to meet their teacher.
Visit a museum or art exhibit.
Visit the Henry Vilas Zoo (Madison - free) or Rotary Gardens (Janesville - free).
Take a bike ride.
Do something special each holiday: make valentines cards, go trick-or treating, bake holiday cookies, visit an apple orchard, go to a haunted house, see a summer parade, color Easter eggs, carve a pumpkin.
Learn something new together - go golfing, make a bird house, go ice skating, learn to fish.
Visit your local public library & research something of interest.
Visit your local farmers market or your county fairs.

Helpfull Links For Bigs

ABUSE / NEGLECT

www.cwla.org - Child Welfare League of America
www.ycwa.org - Youth Crime Watch of America

CRIME / VIOLENCE PREVENTION

www.ncpc.org - National Crime Prevention Council

DRUG/ALCOHOL / TOBACCO USE & PREVENTION

www.alcoholfreechildren.org - Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free
www.theantidrug.com - Parents: The Anti-Drug
www.tobaccofreekids.org - Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids

JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM & DELINQUENCY PREVENTION

ojjdp.ncjrs.org Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention

SELF ESTEEM

www.cyberparent.com/esteem - Build self-esteem in children

ADHD

www.helpguide.org - Signs and Symptoms of ADD or ADHD

COMMUNICATING WITH KIDS & OTHER YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INFO

www.talkingwithkids.org Tips to help talk to children
www.hospicenet.org/html/child.html Talking tips dealing with death
www.tutormentorconnection.org Tutor/Mentor Connection
www.acacamps.org/staff/cyd American Camp Association
www.aypf.org American Youth Policy Forum
www.search-institute.org Helpful information on child development
www.vh.org/pediatric/index.html (then click on Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers)

INTERNET USAGE SAFETY

www.packet-level.com/kids
www.netsmartz.org
www.isafe.org
www.cybertipline.com
www.ncmec.org
www.livewwwires.com

TAX INFORMATION

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is pleased to inform you that Bigs are eligible for the following tax deductions in 2008:

Deduct $0.14 per mile incurred in picking up and driving the Little around.

You may also deduct the cost of meals, movie tickets, museum admissions, etc. which you spend for the Little. However, you cannot deduct the costs you incur for your own meals, tickets. etc. While BBBS encourages quality time rather than money spent on the Little to be most important in the relationship, we trust that you will find the above information welcome and useful. Please contact a tax professional if you have any questions

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