Parenting Today's Teens

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston addresses pressing questions from parents, touching on everything from handling consequences for a 17-year-old's lies and skipping college classes, to managing relationships, including a daughter's close bond with her boyfriend and a stepdaughter's yearning for more involvement from her biological father. Moreover, he provides insights into guiding tee...

Self-harm, particularly cutting, has become increasingly prevalent among teens, often serving as a coping mechanism for dealing with anxiety, frustration and depression. It's a sign that teens are struggling with life and desperately seeking an outlet for their emotions. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the underlying reasons and motivations behind self-harming beha...

It's always good to remember that our role as parents is not just to protect teens from pain, but to equip them with the resilience and understanding to navigate through it. That's what'll help them in the real world! In this episode, Mark reflects on a story about getting hurt that taught him a lot, and shares insights into the importance of allowing children to experience and learn f...

For kids who've gone through trauma and instability, finding — and keeping — a sense of control can feel incredibly important. But the need to always be in control can hold them back from who they were meant to be. In today's show, Mark talks with two young ladies from Heartlight who both reflect on their experiences at the boarding school. For Megan, who struggled with anger and control i...

As parents, we often get absorbed in our own activities and miss crucial moments with our teens. In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why it's vital to recognize and seize opportunities for connection with our kids. They delve into the idea of missed opportunities within families and the impact they can have on teens and future generations. Using personal stories, they...

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston tackles pressing parental concerns head-on. From navigating teen dating and phone use to addressing sexual identity and rebellion, Mark offers not just answers, but actionable advice. He underscores the significance of open communication, boundaries, counseling and maintaining parental influence through each trial of adolescence. Tune in now for the encouragement...

Are you struggling to find the balance between friendship and parenting with your teen? Today’s parents often strive to have a close relationship with their kids, but in doing so, may blur the lines of authority. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the challenges of maintaining authority while fostering a healthy relationship with teens. They discuss the pitfalls of priori...

As parents, we all want strong, positive relationships with our teens. But what happens when those relationships become strained? In this episode, Mark highlights the influence of today's culture and how it's changing the nature of our connection with our children. Mark encourages parents to reevaluate their parenting strategies and adapt to the changing dynamics, emphasizing the need for...

Trauma at any age can be devastating. For teens, who often haven't yet developed the coping skills they need to work through grief or bad experiences, it can feel like the pain will never end. In today's show, Mark talks with two young ladies from Heartlight, including Zoe, who lost her father at a young age and faced the challenge of dealing with grief and self-harm. Her father's deat...

Parenting teens in the digital age comes with challenges no generation has seen before. We're all learning as we go! In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd dive into the complex world of social media and its impact on teens. From understanding the allure of social media to setting boundaries and guiding teens through the potential pitfalls, they offer valuable wisdom and practical a...

Your teen always needs to feel your love unconditionally, but sometimes, a tougher love is required. In today's episode, Mark Gregston addresses pressing questions on parenting troubled teens, dealing with grief, and supporting those with addiction and gender identity struggles. He discusses the importance of affirming relationships, accommodating grief and approaching difficult situations wit...

As technology continues to evolve, it's crucial for parents to adapt right along with it. Balancing trust, privacy and safety in the online world is a unique, and relatively new, challenge. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the importance of understanding the dynamics of online interaction and providing a supportive yet supervised digital environment for teens to saf...

The process of facing rejection and hurtful experiences can lead to a journey of genuineness and authenticity. As Mark explains in today's episode, it's important for a parent to work on unresolved issues — otherwise, they might come out in how you interact with your teens. Mark reflects on being fired twice in his life and the profound impact those experiences had on him. He shares how th...

Social media and technology can be used in a lot of positive ways — but for teens, there are also a lot of ways it can hurt. In today's episode, Mark sits down with a couple more Heartlight teens, including a young lady who was manipulated by a peer into sending explicit photos of herself. Through her story, she sheds light on the struggles of seeking affirmation and acceptance at a vulnerable...

Today's teens — and parents — seem busier than ever! In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the challenges of today's busy world and its impact on teens. They discuss the importance of intentional engagement with your teens despite packed schedules, offering practical strategies and advice for parents seeking to connect with their kids on a deeper level. Join us a...

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston tackles pressing questions sent in by parents as they navigate the complexities of raising teens in today's world. Mark provides invaluable guidance on addressing anxiety, navigating the digital landscape, discussing sexuality, tackling academic disinterest and much more. He shares practical strategies for navigating tough conversations, affirming identity ami...

As parents, it can be tough to watch our teens struggle. But if we want our children to grow in character and perseverance, we've got to resist the temptation to rescue them from every hardship. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd emphasize the importance of not shielding our teens from the natural consequences of their actions, outlining how this can be a key factor in their...

In today's show, Mark shares a personal devotional about the pursuit of peace in relationships and the importance of allowing relationships to survive conflict. He shares stories of heartache, loss and hope, and offers guidance to parents struggling with their teens. Mark encourages parents to invest in their child's future and to not give up, emphasizing the importance of taking action an...

The teenage years are full of pressures — big and small — everything from trying to do well on a test to figuring out your identity. In today's show, Mark chats with two young ladies from Heartlight, including Emily, who discusses her battle with anxiety, perfectionism and the lingering desire for validation. It's a powerful reminder of the pressure teens face to fit in and excel, and her...

Building trust with grandchildren is all about deciding when to share your wisdom and perspective, and when to give them space to seek their own answers. But once you've found the balance, you can create a wonderful relationship! In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd dive into the important role that grandparents play in their grandchildren's lives. They discuss the challen...

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents who need guidance on everything from vaping and drinking to divorce and blended families. Mark shares that while the nature of issues may evolve, the core needs of every teen — belonging, relationships and a desire to appear older — remain constant. Understanding and addressing these needs, rather than solely focusing on controlling...

Do you feel like you're talking to a brick wall when you preach your values to your teen? You can recite them all day long, but it's the silent lessons taught through your actions that have a lasting impact. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd delve into the important role of parents in helping their teens build good character and make positive choices. They emphasize the...

How much do you trust your teen? For many parents, this can be a hard question to answer. But at some point, gradually letting go of control is the best thing for your child — and for you! In today's show, Mark delves into the topic of control versus trust in the parent-teen relationship. He re-shares a personal anecdote of a family struggling with their son's rebellious behavior and how t...

As drug use is increasingly normalized among our teens, so many of them turn to self-medicating when they're hurting or lonely. Tragically, this can start them on a path to addiction. In today's show, we hear from two Heartlight teens, including Gabe, who opens up to Mark about his journey from drug use to residential treatment. He discusses his troubled relationship with his family and ho...

Peer pressure has been around for generations, it just manifests differently with today's teens than it used to. In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd shed light on both the positive and negative aspects of peer pressure, providing valuable wisdom for parents seeking to support their teens through these challenges. They emphasize the vital role of nurturing strong relationships...