Parenting Today’s Teens

#2025 I’ve never met a young person who didn’t want to be cool. But in cyber world, that’s certainly gotten a lot of kids into trouble! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Websites like YouTube, Facebook or Twitter offer teens a place to post pictures, videos, comments, rants, you name it. They can share whatever they want with whomever they want. And often, the illusion of privacy makes kids feel safe posting things they would never share in real life. So Mom, Dad … keep an eye on your teen’s social media use. Let him know you’ll be regularly viewing his Facebook profile, Tumblr account, and any other place he can share content online. The photos and comments he posts are a lot like tattoos: they’re hard to get rid of, even if they seemed cool at the time. Let’s help our teens live with no regrets.

#534 – Student Story: Molly As parents, we want to see our kids to be themselves and express their unique personalities. But sometimes, the ways teens choose to express themselves can make us uncomfortable. This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston coaches moms and dads on how to respond to their teens’ self-expression.

#2024 It’s all too easy for parents to get sidetracked right when their child needs them most. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. During my high school years, I don’t remember engaging much with my parents. But families should be spending more time together as kids get older … not less! Unfortunately, the teen years are when things get busy with school and extracurricular activities … and when parents hit the peak of their demanding careers. Are you checking out of your child’s life in a critical moment? Well, today … spend some quality time together. Insist on taking your teen out for breakfast or lunch … and make it a habit. When you do, it tells him, “You are worth spending time with … and I will always pursue you, no matter what.”

#2023 When was the last time you used a pager? A cassette tape? How about a dial-up modem? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. We live in a world where things become outdated fast. The latest and greatest technology one day … becomes a pile of obsolete junk the next. And today’s teens are conditioned to think the same rule applies to our values. That’s why we see so many young adults leaving the church. They just don’t see how biblical values hold any relevance today. Parents need to show their children that this two- thousand- year- old Book can still get them where they want to be … and keep them from ending up somewhere they don’t want to be. When they understand these principles are timeless, they’ll realize that God’s Word never goes obsolete.

#2022 When your teen’s life starts spinning out of control, you’re undoubtedly thinkin’, “How am I gonna survive this mess?” Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. The book of Psalms is filled with beautiful songs of praise and thanksgiving. But it also includes some heartbreaking laments. The Psalms teach us that there is a pathway to hope, even in the midst of despair. If you’re dealing with misery at home, start by having an honest conversation with God about your sorrow and suffering. Don’t sugar coat it. Spit it out. He can handle it. Then, look for the silver lining. Look for the ways He’s actually working in your life. Could He be stretching you? Or teaching you to trust Him more? Your circumstances may not change. But you can find hope in knowing this … God is near.

#2021 [announcer type voice] This Friday night … at the dinner table … don’t miss an important lecture from mom and dad on your latest big mistake! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. If you invited your teen to attend a lecture every time she did something wrong … do you think she’d ever show up? Yeah right! Parents tend to function in non-stop correction mode. But there’s nothing more destructive to your relationship with your teen than constant lecturing, nagging, and soap-boxing. So today, I urge you to take the “Shut Up” Challenge. Now, at the risk of sounding rude … parents need to know that they can still teach vital lessons … without saying a single word. So take a step back. Give your child some space. Watch how the “Shut Up” Challenge can help your teen to Grow Up!

#2020 Your teen’s life may be filled with activities. But is he missing out on valuable time with mom and dad? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. We push our teens to work hard at piano lessons, soccer practice, church events, and whatever else we cram into their 24-hour day. But rarely do we create time to simply sit down and have a real conversation. This week, try making a pie chart of your time with your teen. Is most of your time spent shuttling them from activity to activity … or speed-chatting at the dinner table? The fact is, kids these days are over- committed and under- nurtured. So if your teen feels constantly tired and worn out, it’s time to intervene. Slow down, back off … and make your home a healthy place for restoring the soul.

#533 Is your teen depressed, withdrawn, or isolating himself from friends and family? Don’t miss the telltale signs of emotional pain! This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston discusses what to do when you see the warning signs and how to restore hope in a suicidal teen.

#2019 Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. All sweet, docile children … eventually turn into these scary things called teens. So parents need to start preparing now by outlining a belief system for their family. I’m talking about a set of convictions, boundaries, rules, and consequences that govern the discipline in your home. So let me encourage you to write down some of your personal beliefs. Think about why they’re so important to you. Pretty soon, you’ll be on your way to creating an effective belief system for your family. And you’ll define your limits before your teen begins to test them! Establishing your family’s belief system today can help prevent chaos tomorrow.

#2018 Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. It may sound good in theory. But in reality, kids base their habits and attitudes on what they see, not on what they hear. For example: If parents aren’t grateful, their children won’t be, either. When moms and dads don’t know how to handle conflict, neither will their kids. And if parents never demonstrate self- control … well, you get the point. Hey, I know that nobody’s perfect. But this week, take my challenge to reflect on the kind of legacy you’re leaving. Do you practice what you preach? Or is it all just talk? As parents, let’s be godly examples to our families … and both say and do what’s right.

#2017 According to a recent survey, 39% of high school students admitted to drinking alcohol within the last thirty days. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Parents can’t afford to ignore such staggering statistics. So how can we prevent our teens from experimenting with booze? First, start a candid, ongoing conversation about drinking. Ask your teen to help you understand what motivates someone to grab a bottle in the first place. Then, communicate your beliefs on the subject and set concrete boundaries. Your teen needs to know the consequences well before he’s ever tempted. You may think that your son or daughter would never drink. But we’re past the point of passive assumptions. It’s time for parents to be proactive … and help their teens say “no” to alcohol.

#2016 In the end, Jesus told Martha, “You are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her.” Mom, Dad, is your life moving so fast that you’re missing out on the best part? Take some time to slow down … and enjoy a meaningful relationship with your teen.

#2015 Have you ever had an old picture come back to haunt you? You know, the one where you’re wearing moon boots and a pair of really, really tight high-waist jeans? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Our parents tried to warn us … but some lessons can’t be learned any other way. And today’s teens aren’t any different. They still adopt peculiar fashions and listen to questionable music … all in the name of fitting in. So if you’re perplexed by your child’s goofy hairstyle or crazy outfit … take a deep breath. It’s probably nothing more than a healthy pursuit of independence and personal validation. Just be sure to take lots of pictures. Then some day, they can look back … and realize just how dorky they really looked. Some day … you’ll both be laughing!

#532 Videogames can be a healthy form of entertainment for teens. But what should parents do when fantasy worlds and online games become a child’s obsession? Today on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston explains what to do when video games become all-consuming.

#2013 For most parents, the thought of giving their son or daughter more control is absolutely terrifying. But it’s the only way to help teens develop into mature adults! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Kids these days are fighting for control. They’re longing to take the principles they’ve learned and apply them to their own lives. But when parents are unwilling to let go … teens feel as though they’re left with no other option than to take control by force. Now I’m from Texas, so I like to think of it this way. When you’re sitting on top of a horse that’s out-of-control, you’re supposed to let go of the reins … not pull back. So are you giving your teen control of his life? Don’t wait until he starts fighting for it. Instead, begin handing over the reins today.