Have any of you ever done this before? It's mainly for folks in their mid 50's to early 60's or so. But I think that it's so rewarding and nice to help a child with his educational skills and to help him or her to read better!!

I do a volunteer job tutoring and working with small children at a school. I help them with their reading skills by reading to them as well as getting them to read with and to me. I also help them with any difficult words that are difficult for them to pronounce.

One particular little boy - an 8-year-old who attends 3rd grade, out of the four that I tutor, has become very attached to me and wants me there to be with him as often as possible. He has some difficulty reading, but nevertheless, he tries his best to read for me. I deeply applaude his efforts!

He told me yesterday that I'm probably wasting my time helping him because he has trouble reading. He knows that he has a problem with reading. I asked him why would he say that. He shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't know. Looking him dead in the face and with my hands on his shoulders, I assured him that it's ok, that it's not his fault and that I'm there to help him no matter what, and that I WANT to help him overcome his problem with reading and that I have absolutely NO intention of giving up on him whatsoever, and nor will I ever make him feel embarrassed or ashamed of himself because he has trouble reading.

I also kindly said to him that he should NEVER have to think that way about himself and that he should not be putting himself down like that or thinking any less of himself and that he should feel proud of what he's trying to accomplish. That I'm there for him no matter what! He said ok in his most soft-spoken voice.

I've also become very attached to him. He's a very funny kid and he just LOVES to talk immensely about whatever he's reading about! He gets into these really deep & intense conversations that intrigue me so much and knocks me out!! I really get a kick out of him!! He likes to read mainly about science, nature and animals.

Since I began tutoring him, we've formed a very strong bond and attachment with each other. We get along with each other really well!

I told the coordinator that I want to tutor him again in the next simester as well. I really like him a lot, and he has great admiration for me. That right there, makes me feel so proud of him, and I'm so proud to be helping him!! He tells me that I'm a very funny guy! I guess I DO entertain him a lot, help put a smile on his face and make him giggle a lot! I like seeing him happy - all of them. He truly enjoys my company!! I almost feel kind of like a father figure or an uncle to him. He's really a great little kid!!