I have never sponsored but have had sponsors and this is what they have done with me. When I wanted to put the work in they were there for me and when I slacked off they were friendly but backed off, then if I wanted more interaction they were there for me again.
I guess it takes a certain emotional distance to be able to do this.
Originally Posted by
bballdad 
I never fire a sponsee anymore,I just back off and let them do their thing.Sometimes they come back with lessons learned,sometimes they let me off the hook by getting another sponsor,sometimes they disappear.