Parenting Today's Teens

Guiding our older teens toward independence, while rewarding, is a challenge. In this week’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents who are having difficulty navigating the new terrain that comes with facilitating the transition of a young adult into adulthood. Listen now to hear his advice on spirituality, romantic relationships, driving, moving out and so much more! Have a questio...

Our teens live in the age of information, and are downright overwhelmed by it! In a sea of opinions, our kids need wisdom as a steadfast anchor — but what if they won’t listen to us? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss ways that you can lift your voice above the noise of the crowd and win the right to be heard by your teen. Tune in now! Our Grandparenting Bundle is packed...

Some losses in our teens' lives are obvious, like the death of a parent, a best friend moving away or their family splitting up. But some aren't so obvious. In today's episode, Mark shares why you need to enter into your child's world and look for the losses you can't see. If your child is acting out, it could be because they're going through something you don't know ab...

When a parent passes away, everyone in the family is impacted — but it's often hard for each to see beyond their own grief. For teens in this situation, they may withdraw, causing rifts in relationships. In this episode, Mark sits down with two more Heartlight teens, including a young lady who lost her dad to cancer. After he passed, she and her mom's relationship spiraled ... but together...

How you cultivate a relationship with your child in their teen years will likely also define the relationship you have with them as adults. But what are the most important things to focus on? In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd dive into the three main areas you should prioritize to build a strong, lasting relationship with your child. You don't want to miss this discussio...

In today's episode, Mark Gregston delves into the transformative power of self-reflection in parenting. If you're yearning for a change in your family dynamics, the first step is looking inward. From nagging less to listening more, Mark addresses questions from parents who might unknowingly be their own roadblocks in creating the loving and harmonious home they desire. Have a question for...

The underlying problem of most behavioral issues in teens is a weak relationship with their parents. If we are too busy for our kids, they will fill the void we create with everyone and everything else. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd explain why the most important thing we can do for our children is have a relationship with them, and what it may cost us if we don’t. Listen no...

When people suffer trauma, abuse or cruel words in their childhood, it can leave a permanent sense of loss in their lives. Sometimes, they may not even realize how deeply pain from their formative years has affected them until it's addressed. In this special episode, Mark shares some personal stories of how childhood trauma impacted him and the people around him, and he explains why our teens...

Whether it's with their parents or with friends, teens need genuine, deep relationships in their lives. Unfortunately, the culture we live in can make fostering those connections really tough. In today's show, Mark talks with two more Heartlight teens who have greatly benefitted from their time there. For Ethan, finding real friendships with other teens at the boarding school has helped hi...

If you want to move from a teaching model to a training model in your parenting, there are some essential shifts you'll need to make. Continuing to treat your child the same way you did when they were little simply will not work when you have a teen! In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss 12 things to adjust that will help your teen begin to mature, make their own decisions...

Join Mark Gregston in this week's episode as he addresses crucial questions from parents about knowing when and when not to intervene in their teen's life. From lying and bullying to disrespect and sarcasm, gain expert advice on when to shield with love and when to let natural consequences teach valuable life lessons. Tune in now! Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: markgregston.com...

In today's fast-paced and uncertain world, teen anxiety has become a growing concern affecting more than 1 in 20 children between the ages of 6-17. As parents and caregivers, we must recognize the seriousness of this issue and move away from the harmful belief that "they'll grow out of it." In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Justin Arnold, Heartlight’s director of counseling, di...

Anger in teens can come from feeling judged, shamed or ultimately, not getting something they wanted. However, many parents simply address the surface issues when it comes to their teen's anger and never get to the heart issues behind it. In this episode, Mark Gregston reshares some of his popular tips for teaching your teen how to deal with their anger and understanding the root causes of it....

Many teens who struggle with mental illness try to escape the depression or anxiety they feel every day by turning to drugs, bad relationships or isolation. They typically end up in a worse place than where they started. In today's episode, Mark talks to two Heartlight teens — one who began smoking weed to self-medicate her social anxiety, and another whose depression drove him to irresponsibl...

The "me first" attitude is all around us in culture, and our teens are affected by it perhaps more than any other group. In order to combat teen selfishness, parents should first reflect on how they can model godly selflessness better to their teens — because after all, we all struggle with this in one way or another! In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about how par...

In this week’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents who want to know how to best motivate and support their teens across the finish line of adolescence and into adulthood. From mental health struggles to downright immaturity, Mark offers practical advice for how to prepare your kid for their next step in life. Don’t miss out! Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: markgregston....

We have the tendency to parent the way that we were parented, but today’s culture has its own unique challenges that cannot be faced with an old school mindset! As kids increasingly question the relevance of what they're taught, modified approaches are absolutely necessary. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the vitality of engaging with your teens in a way that intri...

If you want to one day have critical, important conversations with your teen, you need to invest time in the little, inconsequential chats now. Showing your teen that you will make time for them, no matter what it's about, will help build crucial trust. In today's episode, Mark talks about how the little things add up in long-term relationships and reshares some stories of how his mentors...

Most teens want to be in control of their own lives, but when they try to take the reins by force, it can lead to ongoing conflict with their families ... and things end up more out of control than ever. In this week's interview with Heartlight teens, Mark sits down with two older teens who reflect on their drug use and why they didn't want to listen to their parents' rules. Don't...

It's obvious the types of discipline many parents experienced when they were growing up do NOT work on teens today. So, what does? In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why it's still important to discipline your kids, but in order to keep the relationship intact, you have to discipline through a lens of kindness — not out of anger. If your teen knows discipline is for...

Over involved parents run the risk of losing their teens, but under involved parents risk having to watch their teens lose themselves. In this week’s episode, Mark Gregston addresses questions from parents on how to handle all sorts of conflict, ranging from screen time to gender confusion, with the right balance of sterness and grace. Tune in now! Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: markgre...

When our teens veer off course and struggle to find their way back, it is our responsibility as parents to guide them home. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd explore the delicate balance of providing grace and support without shaming, and how to foster an environment where mistakes are viewed as opportunities for growth. Listen now! For more help understanding what our teens are...

If you want to have a stronger relationship with your teen, the first step is reflecting on the one person whose actions you can truly control: yourself. In this episode, Mark explains that many parents struggle in their relationships with their teens because they never take the time to reflect upon their own lives, behaviors and struggles. He also shares some important questions to ask yourself i...

Loss can take many forms, and impact teens in many different ways. Oftentimes, the pain they carry inside can shape their everyday behavior. In today's interview with Heartlight teens, Mark talks with two high schoolers who unpack how their heavy feelings of grief and guilt changed how they viewed the world and interacted with family and friends. In Dylan's case, he tried to run from feeli...

When conflict gets out of control at home, do you know how to de-escalate the situation? Or do you and your teen find yourselves stuck in a shouting match? In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why letting anger — whether your teen's or yours — go unchecked will only make a situation worse. They share some practical advice for parents on how to diffuse arguments, understand...