Parenting Today’s Teens

#2159 C.S. Lewis once wrote, “We don’t necessarily doubt that God will do the best for us; we wonder how painful the best will turn out to be.” Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. As parents, we never seek out pain when raising a family. In fact, we usually do everything within our power to avoid it. But all too often, our tendency to run from pain … means that we fail to experience God’s very best for our lives. Look … parents in the midst of pain are in the worst position to change it. In reality, they’re in the best position to be changed by it. So don’t run from those awkward, goofy, distasteful moments that teens bring into your home! God truly wants the best for you. But the best may require a little pain.

#2158 Your kids are most likely at home right now, enjoying a nice long Christmas break. But before you know it, they’ll be heading back to school for a whole new semester … Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. New Years has gotta be one of my favorite holidays because it’s all about fresh starts. It’s when we put the past twelve months behind … and look ahead to the year to come. So if your son or daughter just came out of a rough semester at school … let them know that there’s no better time to make new friends, do better in class, or mend damaged relationships. Now’s their opportunity to wipe the slate clean. Mom, Dad … help your teen leave the past in the past where it belongs. There’s a bright future ahead!

#2157 Today, we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. But in homes with teenagers, Christmas is sometimes anything but peaceful. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Even with the extra stress and pressure that comes with the holiday season … Christmas can still be the perfect time for family fun. Try baking some Christmas cookies … or decorating a gingerbread house! Even if Dad’s elaborate construction falls apart … or Mom ends up with frosting on her nose … you’ll still create a fun, safe, and inviting environment that your kids will actually want to be in. This Christmas, let your kids see just how goofy you can really be. Blessings, my friend! May your home be filled with an extra measure of peace, laughter, joy, and love.

#2156 In John 16:33, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. If you’re dealing with a wayward teen, you know how it feels to be relationally fatigued, emotionally beaten up, and personally worn down … all at the same time. So if you need a good measure of peace this Christmas … it’s time to stop worrying and start praying! Spend a few minutes each day reading God’s Word. Be still in His presence. And entrust your problems … and your teen … to Him. Even though we’re guaranteed to have trouble in this world … in Christ, we have everlasting peace.

560 – Student Story: Anna With Jesus, we can experience supernatural joy and peace. But when we’re struggling at home with our teens, it’s easy to lose sight of God’s blessings. This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston helps parents create an atmosphere of peace and joy in their home this Christmas.

559 – Student Story: Ashlan What’s the secret to developing rules and consequences that require honesty, obedience, and respect in your home … while encouraging your teen to make good decisions and wise choices? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston gives parents the tools to set appropriate boundaries and get positive responses from their teens.

#558 – Student Story: Faith If you could ask one question about teenagers, what would it be? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston answers commonly asked questions about raising teens from moms and dads. Then, Mark and Wayne reflect on another great year of ministry and look ahead to what the future holds.

#557 – Student Story: Joey Maybe it was something your son said. Or perhaps it was something your daughter did. Whatever the mistake, there are times when letting go of a past fault is the hardest thing we can do. This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston explains why forgiveness is a constant necessity in a home with teens.

#556 – Student Story: Harrison You set down rules and guidelines for your teen, but they continually blow through the boundaries. Sound familiar? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston explains that you don’t have to compromise your convictions to be compassionate. Learn how parenting with conviction and compassion can build a healthy relationship with your teen.

#555 – Student Story: Grant Are you shielding your teen from outside influences? Or are you preparing them to live in the real world? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston helps moms and dads train children to maneuver through the jungle of today’s culture without succumbing to its negative influence.

#554 – Student Story: Samantha Thanks to technology, we have limitless knowledge at our fingertips. But deep down, teens are searching for wisdom—not information. This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston teaches parents how to transfer wisdom to their teens in order to help them navigate the world and live wisely.

#2121 Every day, hundreds of orphaned children find safety and love from parents who choose to adopt them. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. I believe that adopting a child is one of the most sacrificial and God-like things anyone can do. So in honor of National Adoption Month, I want to read from Romans chapter 8. Paul said that Christians “have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.”* Wow! When you adopt a child … you model God’s sacrificial love for His children. Today I want to applaud and thank those who have taken on the God-honoring role of adoptive parent. You are among today’s most brave and selfless heroes.

#2120 There’s rarely a good time to be faced with a crisis. And for parents with out-of-control teens … the day-to-day struggle can drain every ounce of emotional energy. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. If you’re dealing with a teen who’s caught in the spin cycle, let me give you a few tips for preventing emotional burnout. First, take a break. Spend some time away from the stress. Something as simple as lunch with a friend can leave you feeling energized and refreshed. Second, pull out some old photos or home videos … and remember the good ol’ days when things were innocent and fun. Let the memories restore you. And finally, even though you might feel alone … rest assured, you are not alone. God knows. And He’s not finished with your teen.

#553 – Student Story: Aubrey The teen years can be bumpy for any child. But sometimes, adopted teens need a little extra dose of love and patience. This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston shares the four essential tools in every adoptive parents’ toolbox and offers practical help for navigating the adolescent years.

#2119 Does your teenager feel valued and accepted at home? If not, they’ll go lookin’ somewhere else! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. As parents, we do a ton of stuff for our kids. We take care of their physical needs, cart them around to school events, and give them things our parents never did for us. But all these efforts fall short of giving our kids the thing they crave most. Value. Acceptance. Belonging. These are the virtues that build self-esteem. It gives them confidence to say “no” to temptation. And though they often find value from good grades or excelling at sports … the only place a teen can find true value is at home. So, I’ll ask you again … does your teen feel valued? Only you can provide the true sense of worth and acceptance they so desperately need.