Parenting Today’s Teens

#2118 Parents of rebellious teens often tell me that they feel like their house is falling apart. But no home is beyond repair! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. If your relationships at home are falling apart … here are three things you can do to help restore a sense of peace and order. First, try giving your teen more responsibility. You’ll be surprised by how he steps up to the plate when he has the freedom to grow up. Second, start listening more and talking less. Your teen is far more likely to respond to two-way conversations than relentless nagging and lectures. And finally, invest in your relationship. Maybe meet for lunch once a week … or find an activity you both enjoy.

#2117 To think that a teenager could become so hopeless that he would choose to end his life is almost too painful to imagine. But with the increasing rate of teen suicides, no parent can afford to ignore the possibility. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. For teens, suicide is a last-ditch effort to ease the pain, to make a statement, or to get revenge on someone who wronged them. They can’t see the bigger picture—they can only see the “here and now.” Shortsighted immaturity … mixed with feelings of despair … are a lethal combination. So if your son or daughter has been dropping subtle hints … like talking about death, or isolating themselves from others … don’t ignore the warning signs! Get your teen the help they need … before they become another statistic.

#552 – Student Story: Garret It’s only natural for children to want to push the boundaries. So, when your son or daughter crosses the line, how should you respond? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teen, Mark Gregston explains how effective discipline can get a child where they want to go and keep them from where they don’t want to end up.

#551 – Student Story: Tiller When teens find themselves dealing with the consequences of a mistake, parents want to swoop in and save the day. But this act of heroism is usually more harmful than not. Today on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston helps parents recognize when their teen needs rescuing—and when to leave the superhero cape at home.

#2109 Today’s parents want a deeper relationship with their teen than they had with their own parents. It’s well-intentioned. But taken too far, the outcome will disappoint you. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. My dad, like yours, was focused on providing for his family. We always had food on the table and a roof over our head. But the relational side was more than lacking. Then the ‘60s and ‘70s came along. We swooned over lyrics like “All You Need Is Love” … and started applying them to our parenting styles. Neither extreme is good for our kids. So if you’ve allowed the pendulum too swing too far … it’s not too late to find a healthy balance between authority and relationship. Love your teen. But don’t cross that slippery boundary and become his friend alone. To hold his heart … you need to remain his parent.

#2108 Do you ever feel like your teen treats you like a walking, breathing, ATM machine? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Hardly a day goes by when a teenager doesn’t ask for something. But when parents continually cave in … they often fail to realize the long-term consequences. For example, you might view that new pair of shoes or that upgraded iPhone as a generous gift … but your teen sees it as a God-given right. There’s nothing wrong with parents (and grandparents) who want to give their children nice things. But when you hold back, you give your teen something much more valuable. Restrained desire is something all of us have to cope with. Mom, Dad, let your son or daughter know what it’s like to work for something they crave, and feel the reward of earning it.

#2107 Spoiler alert! Your teen craves boundaries! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Some parents cringe at the thought of doling out consequences, fearing it may harm a relationship with their teen. But I’ve found that young people actually want rules! For kids, the world makes more sense when they know what’s accepted and what’s not. They feel safer when they know where the boundaries are. And they find comfort in the consistency of parents who stick to their game plan. So the next time your teen steps out of line … no waffling on the consequences! Follow through … and show him that you mean what you say. Your teen won’t thank you now. But later, he’ll be grateful. My guess is that your son will build the same fences for his kids. And your grandkids will crave the boundaries, too!

#2106 Super heroes are great in movies and comic books. But in parenting, rescuing your teen every time he gets into trouble can create a disaster! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. In my experience, the most irresponsible teens come from the most responsible parents. I call them “super parents.” They don their cape and fly off to badger a teacher who gave their student a bad grade. They bend steel bars to get him out of jail. And in between, they pick up his room, wash his clothes, and rush him to school when he oversleeps. A more appropriate name for a “super parent” … is an “enabler.” Hey, the next time your teen runs into trouble … don’t swoop in to save the day! Instead, let him deal with the consequences. And be the real “super parent” he needs you to be!

#2105 Here’s a trick question. Would you rather go for a ride on a carousel? Or a roller coaster? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Okay … carousels have their redeeming features. They’re calm and pleasant … if a not little boring. But to me, a roller coast ride is so much better! One second, you’re right side up. The next second, you’re hangin’ on for dear life, screaming at the top of your lungs. Kinda like parenting teens, huh? Hey, raising teens can be unpredictable, heart-stopping, and terrifying at times. But in the end, you’ll realize it wasn’t so bad … even with all the ups, downs, twists, and turns. So don’t be surprised when the ride gets a little crazy. And by all means … don’t check out. Mom, Dad … stay with it. You’ll be glad you did!

#550 – Student Story: Sophia Teens go through all sorts of change in the adolescent years. But growth isn’t limited to physical, emotional, and intellectual changes. Teens grow spiritually too! This week on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston coaches moms and dads on how to nurture their child’s faith throughout the formative teen years.

#2103 Mom, Dad, it’s never too early to start planning for the teen years! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. When your child reaches the “tween” years, things are calm and easy … and you’re like, “Hey, I’m getting’ the hang of this parenting thing!” Hmm. Well, I hate to bust your bubble, but it’s likely “the calm before the storm”! Sure, things are flowing smoothly now … but when your teen starts craving independence, he’ll be spending more time away from home … with folks you might not know. So don’t get blindsided! Start updating your style now … to prepare for the changes coming ahead. The teen years can be bumpy. But they can be fantastic, too. So don’t fall asleep at the controls … because the storm clouds are looming. And your teen needs an alert pilot to navigate the turbulence ahead!

#2102 Mom, dad, find yourself gettin’ all twisted up and worried about your teen? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Billy Graham once said, “Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us.” Wow, that’s a convicting statement. But let’s face it … as a parent, it’s really hard not to worry about your kids! We worry about what they’re doing, where they’re at, and who they’re with. We fret over the choices they make … and lie awake at night thinking about their future. So today, if you find yourself weary from worry and overwhelmed with fear … lay it all down at God’s feet. Put your hope and trust in Him. Why? Even in the midst of chaos, God is always in control.

#2101 Picture this: Your teen comes home two hours past curfew. You’ve been worried sick. Then he calmly waltzes in like nothing happened. Something snaps … and you start yelling. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Hey, we’ve all done it. But when your teen breaks the rules, he desperately needs an adult who can respond … not react. To respond is to remain calm and offer grace and support … while still seeking to correct the behavior. To react is to get angry and emotional … and lay on the judgment. Hey, knee-jerk reactions are counterproductive … and often sabotage what you truly want to achieve. So the next time your teen crosses the line, here’s an easy three-point game plan. Stop, think, act. That means stop your mouth, think about what needs to be done … and then, and only then, speak.

#549 – Student Story: Sarah You set out to raise “perfect” children and even planned their “perfect” futures. But what happens when your “perfect” teen doesn’t turn out the way you expected? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston outlines the dangers of perfection and suggests creative ways to let your teen—and yourself—be imperfect.

#2099 Dishonesty may seem like a minor issue. But lying is actually a serious vice that parents should never ignore. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Ultimately, dishonesty is rooted in disrespect: disrespect for others, disrespect for authority, and disrespect for oneself. And the longer a parent waits to address the problem, the more entrenched and habitual it becomes. So if you see lies and falsehoods creeping into your teen’s conversations, texts, or Facebook posts … don’t stand by and watch! Confront it. Let your teen know that as his parent, it’s your job to keep an eye out for deception. Letting him get away with lying, cheating or stealing today … could lead to a lifetime of misery down the road. Proverbs 12:19 says, “Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.”