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26 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • December 2015 BY SUSAN LARSON W hen Big Sister Lisa and Little Sister Shanyah are together, they aren't staring at their phones or watching a screen. Lisa has made it her to goal to ensure that the time they spend together strengthens their relationship. To that end, she plans activities that actively engage both Big and Little Sister. One of those activities is crafts. Lisa shared her love of arts and crafts with Shanyah, and now crafts are a central part of their relationship. The pair has painted flowerpots, decorated Easter eggs, created jewelry and even made bubble gum. Lisa said the activities give them a chance to do something fun and constructive while being engaged with each other. The crafts also provide souvenirs of their time together. Crafting has another benefit, too. "Having a creative outlet has built Shanyah's confidence," Lisa said. "When you're paint- ing a flower pot, there is no right or wrong way to do it." Shanyah enjoys the chance to create something shaped by her own tastes. Arts and crafts have played an important role in their relationship even when they're apart. When Shanyah was away at summer camp, Lisa wrote a letter on a jigsaw puzzle. Shanyah had to put the puzzle together to read the letter. "She was very excited to receive something more than a regular letter," Lisa said. "My goal is to have a completely electronics-free mentor relationship," Lisa said. "So far, I've been successful with that." Big Brothers Big Sisters matches children ages 6 through 18 with role models in one-to-one relationships. To learn more, visit the Rappahannock Big Brothers Big Sisters website at www.rbbbs.org or call 540-371-7444. Susan Larson is the publisher of Fredericksburg.Today online news, a contributing writer for Fredericksburg Parent and Family magazine and a freelance writer and social media consultant. This is the last in her year- long series about Rappahannock Big Brothers Big Sisters. You can read all the stories in the series online. An Electronics-FREE Mentor Relationship Big Sister Lisa and Little Sister Shanyah Shanyah and Lisa BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS To learn more about volunteering, visit the Rappahannock Big Brothers Big Sisters website at www.rbbbs.org or call 540-371-7444. Shanyah and Lisa Lisa plans activities that actively engage both Big and Little Sister so the time they spend together strengthens their relationship.