Parenting Today’s Teens

#2173 Teens do a lot of empty-headed communicating …especially by cell phone, IM, Facebook and text. In fact, it’s not unusual to see a group of teens sitting in the same room …sending text-messages to one another… instead of just having normal conversations! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Yeah …this new generation knows how to communicate, and they have every device imaginable to stay in touch. BUT they don’t always know how to make a personal connection. It’s not something they’ll learn …unless you make a point to teach them. So open your home for an evening of food and fun, playing board games, creating something, or just talking. Challenge them to leave their cell phones in their pockets. Look for ways to model for your teen the value of connecting with friends and family …without defaulting to their electronics.

#2172 In order for parents to have a healthy relationship with their teen… it’s necessary to create a safe harbor where healthy relationships can develop. So… does your child sense your unconditional love? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Relationships thrive in an atmosphere of unqualified acceptance. That means… even when your child blows it big time, or doesn’t respond the way you’d like …you don’t threaten to abandon him. He knows, without question, that your love is forever. Every teen has a secret longing to belong. He wants a relationship that helps him discover who he is… and who he’ll become. Your child realizes this sense of significance through relationships that will never end …first with you, here on earth, and with God for all of eternity. So… are you creating space for healthy relationships? Make your home a safe harbor from the storms of life.

#2171 Everyone has those moments when they don’t handle things well, and even the best parent loses it once in awhile. But if losing your cool has become the new normal… maybe it’s time to hit the pause button… and get some help. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Ephesians 6:4 says, Fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath. When a parent provokes their teen to the point of exasperation… it’s like pouring gasoline on a smoldering fire. Furthermore, a parent’s verbal barbs inflict wounds that are deep. In fact, your angry outbursts may leave scars on your teen for years to come. So here’s a challenge to you today. The next time something conflict occurs and you can feel your blood begin to boil …take a moment to gather yourself. And take this time- tested advice. It comes straight from the wisdom of Scripture: Don’t provoke your children to wrath.

#2170 When was the last time you humbled yourself … and spoke those two giant words … I’m sorry? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. I once witnessed an entire family break down and sob when the father asked each member to forgive him for the way he’d handled himself in their relationship. He extended the olive branch with intensity and emotion. It was a humble, sincere apology, and a good step toward restoring his position with his children. Every heart in the room melted …and anger and resentment began to lift. I challenge you to take the dad’s example. Do you need to admit responsibility for building walls in your family? For contributing to miscommunication? It’s time to start steering your home in the right direction, and fostering respect in those you love. Your teen may seem like a fortress with high walls and a locked gate. Impenetrable. But seeking forgiveness may unlock the door to his or her heart. Just say those two powerful words … I’m sorry.

#563 – Student Story: Sarah Grandparents can have a profound influence on their grandkids during the teen years. And those years can develop into rich connection and long-lasting relationship. This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston shares how grandparents fulfill a specific and vital role in a teen’s life.

#2169 There’s nothing more destructive to your relationship with your child than constant lecturing. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Whenever conflict occurs, if your knee-jerk reaction is to lecture, you’re communicating that you don’t think your teen can think for himself. And if you condemn him for his mistakes, you’re actually reinforcing that you don’t really respect him. That’s not your intent …but it’s what your child is hearing. So what can be done? Well, stop lecturing and start listening. In fact, start today! Right now, even. Try it for a day. Don’t flip out, argue or lecture. Button up your lips. Just let it go. It’ll take a lot of discipline on your part, but you may discover it’s just what your teen needs. Then watch what happens. Before long …your teen will return the favor and start listening to you.

#2168 Let me ask you a question. Are you content with whatever your teen wants to do with his or her life? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Teens often feel that they can’t live up to their parents’ expectations. In their mind, it’s just impossible… even if your hopes are totally reasonable. So let me ask the question again. Will you be authentically content with whatever they tell you they want to do in life? After all your hard work to get them where you think they need to be, will you be happy if they decide to pursue something other than your personal preference? It’s wise to begin talking about expectations …both from your perspective, and from your teen’s point of view. Develop a heart for your teen’s desires… even if it’s not what you’d prefer. It’s the key to keeping your relationship with your child authentic, growing and healthy.

#2167 Life has a way of dishing out trouble, doesn’t it? And if you’re dealing with a struggling teen in your home, I guarantee …your plate is full. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. In Romans 8, we read… And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Sounds like a conflicting statement. Life dishes out trouble… and all things work together for good. Hmmm. How do we connect those dots? Let me suggest to you that the pain of dealing with a teen spinning out of control… can lead to a new understanding of God’s sovereignty. In fact, I’m guessing that last night’s argument with your teen… or the tensions between the siblings… is exactly the thing that keeps you on your knees in prayer. So, yeah …life dishes out trouble. But all things work together for those who love God. No matter what’s happening in your home… God promises that He’s working behind the scenes.

#2166 Families call me all the time and say, “We need help! What do we do to fix our kid?” Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. You know what my answer is? Well, there’s very little we can do to fix our kid. You gotta turn that notion around. What we’ve got to focus on is fixing ourselves. In the process… we’re allowing God to do something with our child way beyond our own resources. So let’s make this practical. Is there something in your family you’d like to be different? Maybe a kid that’s disrespecting others or blowin’ off your rules. The problem’s so obvious. And, of course, should result in consequences. But what’s not quite as obvious… is what God is trying to teach us. Could it be you’ve become part of the problem… instead of part of the solution? Quit trying to “fix” your kid. And you’re your family’s transformation begin with you!

#2165 Pain is predictable. You don’t have to guess. Guaranteed. It’s coming. Because… anytime you confront foolish thinking, when two value systems clash, or have a contest of opinions and ideas… it’s painful. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Moms and dads …if you have teens or pre-teens, you know what I’m talkin’ about. Anytime your kid lashes out… pain is just around the corner. When your authority needs to be re-established, when wrong motives and desires are exposed, or when your teen is confronted, limited, or restricted… hey …it’s painful. But don’t let pain’s predictability keep you from doing your job. Effective parenting doesn’t mean you need to make everyone feel better …or keep everyone happy. In fact, conflict may be the bold blinking neon sign that God’s healing work has begun in your family! So, when pain shows up in your home, don’t run from it. Use it.

562 – Student Story: Kaylee Sure, change can take place at any time. But there’s just something about a new year that inspires personal reflection and reevaluation. This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston challenges parents to look back and look ahead by letting go of old parenting methods that no longer work and embracing newer, more effective ones.

#2162 As you’re flipping the calendar from 2019 to 2020… it’s the perfect time to think through your goals and desires for the family. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. What do you want to change in your family in the coming year? Do you need to rearrange your schedule in order to have a weekly one- on- one time with your teen? Or maybe… it’s time to get some outside help for your family. Take a moment today to think through the tangible positive steps you can take in the coming year. Then… sit down with the kids and ask them what changes they’d like to make in the family dynamic. You might be surprised by their response! Here’s your chance. Be intentional. Get a fresh start!

#2161 Financial responsibility is a necessary life skill that even most adults haven’t mastered. Which is why it’s so important to start teaching our teens at an early age. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Teens desperately need to learn how to manage their money. And that’s where Mom and Dad come in! For example, at age 13, have your teen begin to manage a checking account and pay for minor expenses out of a weekly allowance. At 15, encourage them to do some babysitting or mow a neighbor’s lawn. And when they start driving, make them pay for gas and insurance with they money they earn from a weekend job. By the time they’re adults, they’ll be well prepared to manage their finances wisely and responsibly. Mom, Dad … hear me out … and start teaching your teen how to manage money!

#2160 Growing up, I always had a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for people in positions of authority. But kids today don’t see it that way! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Our teens have seen it all. They’ve watched politicians lie and cheat, church leaders fall from grace, and role models make bad decisions. And as a result, teens today have become jaded toward authority. Just because you wear a crisp uniform and badge … doesn’t mean you earn their respect. So if your teen is struggling to respect others, be the positive example he desperately needs. It’s difficult to talk about respect if your child doesn’t think that you’re worthy of it yourself. And when they learn to show respect at home, they’ll be able to carry it into every other area of life.

561 – Student Story: Drew We’ve all been parenting with different degrees of success. So how does your parenting style compare to others? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston identifies six common parenting styles that can end up backfiring on you! Discover why they don’t work—and the one critical component that’ll make all the difference in how your teen responds to your approach.