Parenting Today’s Teens

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: When it comes to raising healthy kids, every parent has their own style and creative flare.  However, if you have teenagers at home, a couple things are non-negotiable for parents. Like this one.  As your kids grow up, you’ll need to revise your parenting style to adapt to their stage. For example, when your kids get older, you need to … - Move from lecturing… to discussing. - Move from demanding everything… to asking their opinion about everything. - Move from seeing everything that’s wrong… to finding more of what’s right. - Move from non-stop talking… to non-stop listening. Yes, you should express your creativity in raising your kids.  But be sure to sure to adapt to their changing stages, so that you engender their trust … and nurture their independence! ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)HALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY: As parents, our job and desire is to teach our kids.  But can constant instruction actually damage the development of our teens?  On this edition of Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston explains why training—instead of teaching—can have a huge impact on the growth of a child. ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: How many “screens” do you have in your life right now?  Let’s see … TV … phone… tablet… computer.  That’s a lot of screen time! I do a lot of my work on a laptop… and I connect with friends over phone and through texting.  So… I’m a big fan of technology. But there’s a time to turn it all off!  We all know it’s true, but it’s tough to set technology aside! Hey … hit the “off” switch.  Do something ol’ fashioned with your child.  Go bowling.  Take a walk.  Grab coffee.  Play a board game.  Have a meal together— without checking your cell phone. It doesn’t matter the activity you choose.  What’s important is the intentional interaction.  Turn off the screen … and look your child in the eye.   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: When family issues bring you to the end of your rope… if you’re worn out, spent and overwhelmed… you might be tempted to shut down or escape.  Know the feeling? Psalm 55 talks about getting release from stress.  The writer said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!  I would fly away and be at rest.” Moms and Dads of teenagers know that feeling all too well.  At times, we wanna escape!  But in moments of exhaustion, pray for calmness.  Ask God to keep your emotions from running wild.  Pray that He would guide and direct your teen… and your marriage… as only He can.  Then pray that God will love your family through you. These are simple words.  But they’ll bring refreshment from the only source that provides lasting peace!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: Parents often approach me and ask how they should be training their kids to survive in today’s culture.  It’s a great question! Here are some of the core areas for parents to focus on: Train your teen to handle rejection and disappointment by allowing them to experience both. Train your teen to appreciate hard work. Train them to make wise decisions by working through the consequences of poor ones. Train them to bounce back from mistakes. Train them to handle money by giving them a checkbook early on. And finally… train them to choose the path of integrity, honesty and keeping their word. Those aren’t my insights … they come straight from the Bible.  Time- tested wisdom that won’t let you down!  Mom, Dad … let’s help our kids know how to survive in today’s culture. ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: Parents have many responsibilities as they raise kids… but one of the most profound tasks is this:  to train their children. Over the years, I’ve begun to see the difference between teaching and training.  Teaching involves the transfer of concepts, giving input and plenty of correction.  These aren’t bad things.  But I find that training is a better model.  In it you’re giving your child the opportunity to flex their decision- making muscles.  You’re not overly- protecting them from the world… you’re coaching them to thrive in it. The main purpose of training should be to get kids ready for the world they will live in, not the world that parents would like for them to live in. Are you training your child … or just teaching your child?   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: Can you guess what your teen wants more than anything?  It’s not a sports car or more money. You know what your teen wants?  It’s control. When it comes to making choices in their lives, teens want three things… They want to make their own decisions. They want to control their destiny. And they want opportunities to prove their maturity. Don’t you want the same?  Of course you do!  No parent wants to babysit their teen when they leave home. So… help them gain control in healthy ways.  When a child is twelve, give them more decisions each year.  When they reach eighteen, they’ll be making decisions on their own. Mom and Dad, you must start transferring control early… so kids get practice in making good decisions!     ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)HALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY: In today’s culture, it seems more and more young adults are stuck in a state of perpetual adolescence!  How do we get our kids to the next stage in life?  This week on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston explains the ways we can help our kids grow up into responsible and mature adults. Special Guest:  Dr. Robert Epstein   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: If you have kids at home, I want to remind you of something important.  This parenting thing… it’s not about you! Mom, Dad… Grandparents… this isn’t about us.  It’s about our kids.  Our parenting should not be a display of effort— so our self-esteem is boosted when everyone sees what a good kid we’ve raised. When a child fails, it’s not a reflection on your worth.  It’s an opportunity to instruct. We’re not trying to win parent of the year!  Our focus should be on teaching our kids to develop discernment, moral values and compassion for the people around them.  We should keep our eyes off ourselves… and on the precious lives entrusted to us by God. Remember … it’s not about you!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: What do you do when you find out your teen has been lying to you? Some parents grossly over-react.  And… are convinced their kid will just “grow out of it.”  Both responses to lying completely miss the mark! If you find that your teen has lied to you or to someone else, I’d suggest several steps: First, describe the dishonest behavior, so you both know admit happened. Second, tell your child how you feel about it… and how your values prohibit it. Third— and most important— affirm that you know your child can do better. Mom and Dad, you can give your child confidence to do what’s right.  Don’t let those little lies slide by.  When dishonesty shows up in your home… confront it!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: Imagine this thought running through your teen’s brain:  If Mom and Dad do everything for me… I don’t have to do anything!  Scary, isn’t it? Parents naturally want provide good things for their child, but if they never help them learn to become mature and independent… they’ll become lazy and bored.  And worse than that… they’ll remain in a selfish state of dependence on their parents! So ask yourself a question.  Are you doing everything for your teen?  Are you still getting them out of bed in the morning?  Do you clean their bathroom or do their laundry?  Do you help too much on their homework? Mom and Dad, remember that the only way a child develops the character trait of responsibility is by having someone give it to them!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: There’s a natural progression that flows in the parenting process.  And it’s a good thing.  God designed it that way!  The problem comes when Mom and Dad get stuck  and fail to move on. When kids are young, we please them.  In grade school, we protect them.  And in middle school we provide for them.  In high school and beyond, we need to prepare them.  It’s unfortunate, however, when Moms and Dads get stuck in the pleasing, protecting and providing stages… and fail to prepare their kids for the world This oversight can actually stunt your teen’s growth!  When you forestall independence, it only leads to an entitled young adult who continually makes irresponsible choices. Follow the God-given pattern for parenting.  Choose to start preparing your child for life!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: The period between childhood and adulthood is called adolescence.  It includes the teenage years… but today … extends a few years earlier and a few years later. Some studies suggest that adolescence now ranges from ages ten to twenty-six.  It’s not just the teen years anymore!  For parents, that means training your pre-teens will begin earlier… and your influence over your young adults will last longer. My suggestion is to take a long- term view of this journey.  From grade school to mid-twenties, you’ll be guiding your child to independence.  You’ll model healthy relationships.  You’ll coach them on making good choices and comfort them and discipline them when they don’t. Through the expansive years of adolescence, keep your eye on the goal:  launching mature adults so they can function independently in a demanding world!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)HALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY: Money is a powerful tool, and in these economic times, it’s more important than ever to show our kids how to handle their finances.  On this week’s Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston and special guest Howard Dayton, explain how to transition from your kids’ personal banker to the role of financial advisor. Special Guest: Howard Dayton ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: I remember when kids in grade school told brazen lies… but felt no guilt because their fingers were crossed behind their backs! Our kids may not be crossing their fingers… but they’re still telling lies.  The statistics are overwhelming.  More teens than ever feel the freedom to cheat, tell white lies and alter the truth with fiction.  Moms and Dads … we need to help our kids develop the virtue of honesty. My advice is this:  don’t tolerate lying!  When you discover that your child isn’t telling the truth… don’t explain it away or dodge the confrontation. Call out the lie.  Bring it in to the light of day.  Give an appropriate consequence.  In doing so, you will forge a strong sense of courage and honesty in your child.  One day … he’ll thank you.   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.