Mentoring Matters - Inspire Happy, Creative, Resilient Youth

All About Youth Mentoring Tips and Strategies for Inspiring Young People By Robin Cox

52 Mentor Musings offers short, user-friendly weekly messages (musings) of encouragement for anyone guiding a young person to reach their potential. Robin Cox equips readers with knowledge, skills, and strategies for the mentoring journey. Topics include understanding the world of youth; self-image; the impact of technology and social media on youth; resiliency; goal-setting; effective communication; values; how to resolve conflicts using a positive mindset; the role of the family and other networks in the lives of youth. Robin Cox weaves true stories into the messages to give credibility to the content. Anyone working with young people will have the confidence to take the spirit of mentoring concepts, strategies, and ideas to develop positive and meaningful relationships with them.

If you’re looking for an inspiring guide for anyone who ‘moves alongside a young person as their non-judgmental cheerleader,’ 52 Mentor Musings is it. Robin Cox distills decades of research and practice into relatable wisdom—sometimes packing it into a figurative paper bag. His 17-Point Personal Growth Kit transforms everyday objects into life lessons, like a rubber band (stay flexible) and an eraser (learn one lesson from every mistake). Practical and insightful—a valuable read!

Magdalena Brzezinska, Academic Instructor, WSB Merito University, Poznan, Poland

Drawing on decades of mentoring experience, Robin brings together personal stories, practical strategies, and up-to-date research in 52 short, weekly messages. Whether you’re a teacher, mentor, parent – or all three – this book is an invaluable companion you’ll want within arm’s reach. Easy to read and packed with wisdom, inspiration and encouragement, it’s a must-have for anyone walking alongside young people, helping them grow, set goals, and become the best version of themselves.

Trish Nees, Teacher, New Zealand

Through real-life stories – including surviving cancer and early personal tragedy – here is a powerful, authentic reflection on mentoring, resilience, and personal growth. The author offers practical, no-nonsense insights shaped by a lifetime of mentoring. Poignant yet grounded, each weekly chapter delivers accessible wisdom, making this a valuable read for anyone working with young people.

Chris Wright, Board member, Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association, Queensland, Australia

These weekly lessons, stories, and case studies offer a wealth of information and inspiration for anyone who is mentoring a young person in their life. I found the advice offered here to be both deeply moving and energizing, reminding us that the act of mentoring can benefit us adults as much as the young people we care for. These lessons will help all mentors show up better for our kids and will keep their work grounded in love, respect, and kindness.

Mike Garringer, Senior Director of Research and Quality, MENTOR (USA)

In a society grappling with disconnection, Robin Cox’s book is a much-needed resource for mentors, parents, educators, and others supporting young people in uncertain times. Each weekly reflection feels like a personal mentoring session—blending relatable stories, actionable insights, and genuine encouragement. I loved Cox’s metaphor of the mentor as a parachutist guiding a mentee through turbulent skies; it powerfully illustrates the responsibility of mentors to remain calm, empathetic, and steady, while speaking into a future the mentee cannot yet see. Accessible and deeply inspiring, Cox’s book is a must-read for anyone committed to creating lasting change in young people’s lives.

Jenny Horst, CEO, Upside Youth Mentoring Aotearoa, New Zealand

I highly recommend Robin Cox’s 52 Mentor Musings as a rich source of encouragement, insight and inspiration to all who care about young people—teachers, coaches, parents and even employers of young workers. As our social media dependance increasingly draws us away from core values, core relationships, committed support systems, we need a warm book like this that offers wise counsel shaped by personal experiences in many different contexts, offering insight and proven approaches—and challenging questions! These nurture positive relations for which all people—young and old—are hankering.

Rudi Pakendorf, educator and business consultant, Minnesota, USA

If the definition of ‘Teenager’ is taken as meaning ‘Between Ages’—i.e., the period of time between childhood and adulthood—then it would be true to say that Robin Cox’s latest book, 52 Mentor Musings, builds a bridge ‘over the troubled water’ of adolescence (thanks Simon and Garfunkel), and links the two ages of youth together. With the sincerity of his personal experiences, Robin continually emphasizes that the guide over this bridge needs to build up a wealth of compassion, trust and understanding if a true connection is to be made…. Building bridges for teenagers is a huge privilege rewarded when the mentor sees blossoming of confidence in the young person. This leads to self-awareness which is essential if the dragons and denizens of the troubled waters are to be avoided. The mentor carries an awesome responsibility in sharing this journey over the bridge but, as comes through in so many of the musings, patience and a tolerance of mistakes (together with the inevitable backsliding), can lead to special rewards. The Latin derivative of inspire literally means to ‘breathe life into…’ These musings will breathe life into all who are privileged to work with young people.

Keith Richardson, former Principal, currently CEO of the Principals Academy Trust, South Africa

Mentoring Blogs reflect the years of experience shared with anyone who wishes to encourage, motivate and inspire young people.