Parenting Today's Teens

When you find yourself choosing if the hill underneath your feet is worth dying on, make sure to consider whether it’s worth the risk of losing your relationship with your teen! In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents who aren’t quite sure when to speak truth into their kids' lives, or when it’s better to leave things unsaid. Join Mark as he provides practical advice o...

When does protection become overprotection? If you find yourself struggling against the urge to shield your child from every uncomfortable or potentially painful moment, you’re setting them up for failure! In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the necessity of exposure and its role in shaping resilient and capable young individuals. Listen now! Have you heard about our Paren...

If your tastes change, chances are you don't keep ordering the same old thing at a restaurant and hope for the best. The same idea can be applied to having teens — the same parenting methods you used when they were little won't work anymore! In this episode, Mark shares the key "ingredients" you need to create a home that is a safe, supportive place for your teen. Tune in to hear t...

Substance abuse in teens can be driven by all kinds of sources: Shame, loss, a longing to fit in ... the list goes on! If your teen is getting involved with drug use or drinking, you need to seek the heart of the problem. In today's show, Mark sits down with two young men from Heartlight to discuss why they turned to drugs when things got tough. For Harrison, he began using heavy drugs to esca...

Kids are going to make a lot of mistakes during their teen years — and as parents, one of the best things you can do is find ways to laugh at these situations. Don't create more stress than you need to! In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss being prepared for when your teen makes a mistake and why you shouldn't sweat the small stuff. Listen in for this encouragin...

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents who are dealing with older teens refusing to step into adulthood. From issues like drugs and endless video games to unemployment and outright disrespect, Mark offers invaluable advice on adjusting expectations, initiating positive change and ultimately helping your young adults take flight. Listen now! Have a question for Mark? Submi...

Is your child finding comfort and solace in your house, or are they eager to escape? In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere to prevent your teen from seeking solace elsewhere. They share the signs that your kid isn't enjoying their time with you and offer 10 practical ways to make your home a place your child wants to be. Tun...

Whether your teen seems to have it all together or their life is a total mess, they need to know that you love them no matter what. It's about who they are, not what they need to accomplish. In today's show, Mark shares an encouraging devotional to help you focus on sharing unconditional love with your teen — even when the going gets tough. Don't miss this important topic! Seeking some...

When a teen feels like their life is spiraling out of control, it can sometimes be hard for them to see any way things might get better. But no teen is ever a lost cause! In today's show, Mark sits down with two more Heartlight teens who share some of the darkest times in their lives. For Peter, who struggled with deep depression and trust issues, the structure and support of boarding school h...

The ways you disciplined your child when they were little simply won't work once they're middle school age and older. Now that they're capable of abstract thinking, you want to help them develop self-control and discernment — but what's the first step? In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss practical discipline to use with teens and why it helps you AND your chil...

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents who aren’t quite sure how to get through to their teen; from the challenges of the preteen phase to navigating the allure of video games and first relationships, how can you effectively steer your child in the right direction? Gregston suggests that the most impactful lessons you impart as a parent are often conveyed not through word...

While no one enters a marriage aiming for divorce, for many, separation becomes a harsh reality. In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd explore the difficulty of co-parenting with a former partner when shared values no longer align, and offer guidance to single parents managing one-sided rules and expectations. Tune in now to hear their advice! One of the most powerful things you...

In performance-based relationships, people are valued because of their actions and accomplishments — NOT because of who they are. Many parents, even when they don't mean to, communicate this type of relationship to their teens. In today's episode, Mark shares why parents need to pay attention to how high they've set the bar of expectation for their teens. If the pressure is too much, y...

If you have a fiercely independent teen at home, you've probably gotten in a battle or two (or more) over who's in control. Finding the balance can be a real challenge! In today's show, Mark chats with two teens at Heartlight, including a young lady who has always had a strong independent streak and was constantly fighting for control of her life with her parents. She shares some valua...

By the 12th grade, about two-thirds of teens have tried alcohol, and around half of high schoolers have tried marijuana. What causes them to engage in this behavior? Is it just curiosity, or is it something deeper? In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about why teens are drawn to using substances and why it has a lot to do with today's ever-changing culture. This is an...

When your family lands in a tough spot, are you humble enough to ask yourself if you might be part of the problem? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from overwhelmed parents who are desperate for advice on dealing with a wide range of difficulties, from divorce and loss of custody to gender confusion and anger issues — tune in now! Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: markgr...

In the conclusion of Mark Gregston's discussion with Dr. Tim Clinton, co-host of Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk, they delve into how crucial it is to seek your teen's heart — not just try to correct their behavior. It could make all the difference in your relationship! Mark also shares about his newest devotional, "Daily Hope For Families," which can be a wonderful tool for familie...

Have you gotten into the habit of always repeating things to your teen? If so, it's probably time to hit the brakes. In today's episode, Mark explains why nagging and lecturing are some of the biggest relationship roadblocks, and can lead to your teen shutting down or shutting you out. Parents need to aim for open-ended discussions and dialogues — NOT monologues. Tune in for this important...

Whether it's technology, the accessibility of drugs or shifting social pressures, there's no doubt that today's teen culture has changed drastically over time. It's a tough world to grow up in! In today's show, Mark sits down with two young ladies at Heartlight who discuss getting into drugs at a young age, anger management issues and why social media can be anxiety-inducing. D...

In the first part of this special episode, Mark Gregston sits down with Dr. Tim Clinton, co-host of Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk, to discuss some of the biggest challenges facing parents today. They talk about why spending quality time with your teens is so important, what dads can do to bond with their kids, and why mental health issues are so prevalent among this generation of teens. Don't...

Join Mark Gregston in today's episode as he addresses pressing questions from parents, offering invaluable advice on supporting their teens' growth, bridging generational gaps and effectively managing disagreements. From navigating the complexities of divorce and fostering connections with grandparents, to successfully guiding teens through the high school and college years, Mark provides...

It's increasingly obvious that today's teenagers seem to be taking longer to mature into adulthood, but is it their fault, or are we, as parents, playing a role in this delay? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the consequences of overprotecting, overindulging and not giving them room to grow, while providing practical advice for fostering responsibility and indep...

The full impact of loss in a teen's life is only truly experienced when they realize something is missing — whether that something is a parent or a spot on the football team. Loss motivates behavior, and some teens will do whatever they think is necessary to fill a painful void in their lives. In today's devotional episode, Mark shares some personal stories about how loss can impact behavi...

A big part of adolescence is developing the skills to think more abstractly and reflect upon the choices you make. Teens often begin to understand why hurts from their childhood are still impacting them — but how they choose to deal with it now is up to them. In this episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight high schoolers: One who shares why her adoption story made it hard for her to feel loved...

Teens WILL violate your trust and push the boundaries you've set for them, but here's the encouraging thing: They will also usually learn from their mistakes. In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the importance of age-appropriate consequences when trust has been broken and why you need to maintain the relationship you've worked to build — even when you'r...