Parenting Today's Teens

We all share the universal desire for deep, genuine connections with our teenagers. In today's episode, Mark Gregston tackles questions from parents striving to balance maintaining that essential connection while providing much-needed guidance and structure. He explains the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in nurturing these bonds, and the necessity of creating a safe space for the...

As our society moves from a fear-based parenting model to a relationally centered one, our methods need to adapt accordingly. Punishing out of anger, frustration or hurt is easy to do, but it won’t help your teen learn from their mistakes, and it certainly won't grow your relationship. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the benefits of making the shift from punishment...

If you've ever experienced rejection from your teen, it can feel a lot like you've been "fired" as a parent. None of the baseball games or dance recitals you diligently took them to when they were little seem to matter anymore. But, as Mark discusses in today's show, this is a great time to take a look in the mirror and examine why your teen might be pulling away from you. He s...

When a teen has broken your trust, it can be hard for parents to take that leap of faith again ... and our kids know this too. In today's episode, Mark talks to a couple of Heartlight students who are working on reconnecting with their parents and rebuilding trust. For one young man who used to steal money from his family to buy drugs, he knows he needs to prove himself to his parents again —...

Many of us fall into the habit of allowing the issues in our family to reach a breaking point before we address them. Sitting down and seeking reconciliation early is tough, but it can make your family stronger. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd share stories of reconciliation and discuss why unmet expectations can be a source of resentment that we don't always recognize. Liste...

The digital age has undeniably transformed our world, revolutionizing the way our children socialize, ushering in new norms, opportunities and possibilities — for better or worse. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston addresses questions from those walking the line between protecting their kids and preparing them for the real world. He delves into why, as parents, it's our responsibility to naviga...

In today's culture, self-harm and suicidal ideation are more prevalent among teenagers than ever before. As parents, being informed and prepared is a matter of life and death. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the telltale signs that your child may be struggling. From changes in eating and sleeping habits to talking about death frequently and engaging in risk-taking...

Proverbs 16:31 tells us, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness." So, as you get older and watch your kids grow into teens and then into adults, don't worry about those grays that start to come in. As Mark shares in today's episode, it's a sign of wisdom! He also talks about how you can be an intentional grandparent from the get-go and how...

For many of the teens that come to Heartlight, their stay at the boarding school is the longest they've been away from their parents — and that time apart can help all of them begin to see things more clearly. In today's show, Mark talks to two young ladies who both got caught up in drinking and doing drugs to self-medicate deeper issues, which led to lots of conflict with their parents. N...

Questions have an amazing way of stirring up things in your child's heart and helping them sort through what they believe about the world. They also help YOU get to know your teen better! In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd are discussing why asking your teen good, thoughtful questions is so important and helps them feel valued. Tune in for this great topic! Want to learn...

Addressing issues head-on while your child is still living at home is crucial given that unresolved problems during the teenage years can easily spill over into young adulthood. In today's episode, Mark Gregston shares valuable guidance for parents who are uncertain about their next steps when dealing with children grappling with issues like alcoholism, explosive behavior, depression, the inab...

Parents are often quick to correct their teen’s bad behavior, but hesitant to uncover the motivations fueling it. Let's face it, if you're not getting to the heart of the matter, you're just slapping a band-aid on a much deeper wound. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss behaviors ranging from disrespect and anger to poor grades and video game obsessions. They o...

When you think of going out to "the mission field," do you picture traveling somewhere far away? Oftentimes, there are important mission fields right in our own backyards — even in our own families. In today's episode, Mark shares a personal story of how God showed him that the mission projects at home are just as important as the ones across the globe. Tune in for this inspiring episo...

Having close, meaningful friendships during the teen years is so important for kids' mental and emotional health — but unfortunately, finding those real friendships can sometimes be a rocky road. In today's episode, Mark Gregston talks with two Heartlight residents about why they succumbed to peer pressure and started getting into drugs and alcohol to fit in. Tune in to hear their perspect...

A key part of parenting well — for your child's sake AND yours — is knowing when to pick your battles. Nitpicking at everything your teen does or constantly trying to correct them will only drive them further from you and damage the relationship. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why it's important to know what issues are really important to you and what things you&...

Effective parenting goes beyond behavior management; it's all about uncovering the underlying motivations that drive your teen's actions. In today’s Q&A episode, Mark Gregston dives into real-world challenges submitted by concerned parents. Listen in as he discusses setting realistic boundaries, navigating church aversion, connecting with a grieving teen, seeking help when faced with e...

One of the most crucial conversations about modern parenting in the digital age is addressing the pervasive presence of pornography in our children's lives. The harsh truth is that no teen is safe from the influence of porn regardless of whether it is sought out or not. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the dangers of easy access to explicit content, how it's aff...

If there was one thing you could do to foster a sense of value and belonging for every member of your family, you'd almost certainly jump at it! But this simple answer can actually be quite challenging: Just listen. In this episode, Mark explains why being an engaged, active listener is one of the most powerful things you can do to connect with your teen, and shares some behaviors YOU might be...

When teens experience trauma, they oftentimes don't have the coping skills they need to work through it in a productive way. Trying to get rid of the hurt they feel can leave them spinning out of control. In this episode, Mark chats with two teens who addressed deep issues while at Heartlight, including one young man whose mom tragically passed away from cancer. Desperate to control something,...

Today's culture offers so many harmful temptations and pitfalls for our teens. Whether it's drugs, social media addiction or exposure to pornography, we need to try our best to protect and prepare them. In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd list some common pitfalls that affect teens, share why they're important to pay attention to and offer a closing prayer of prote...

As parents, we have the tendency to keep our kids from growing up, whether we realize it or not. To help our teens thrive, we must find the strength to let them hit 'rock bottom.' In today’s episode, Mark Gregston warns about the slippery slope from providing to enabling, emphasizing the importance of letting older teens make their own decisions, even, and especially, if it means experienc...

Do you remember your first bully's name? Most of us do. In a world defined by cruelty, centered around appearance and performance, bullying is inevitable. Social media has transformed this once black-and-white issue into something more inescapable. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss signs that your teen may be a victim and share strategies to counter the impact of bul...

Holding on to resentment impacts many more people than just you — harboring unresolved conflict and negativity can impact your whole family for years to come. If this sounds familiar to you, it might be time to clear the air! In this episode, Mark talks about practical ways you can make things right with your teen (or other family members), and why it's important to try to redeem the time you&...

When teens get caught up in having fun or trying to fit in, there's a good chance they won't think through their decisions very well. But when the consequences of their actions finally catch up to them, how will they feel about their choices? In this episode, Mark chats with two young ladies who reflect on mistakes they made in high school. In Gracie's case, nothing was going to stop h...

When your kids come home from school, do they feel like they need to continue to keep up appearances in front of you? Or do they find a listening ear and respite from social pressures? In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about things we should value at home with our teens, including giving them a place to find rest and affirmation, and how we can share wisdom applicable to their...