Parenting Today's Teens

Grandparents, what do your grandkids feel when they first walk in your front door? Do they feel welcomed and safe? Or like they can't be themselves? In today's episode, Mark talks about how grandparents can create a place of rest for their teenage grandchildren, who are under so much pressure from the culture we live in. They need a place to recharge! Listen in for this thought-provoking t...

Drug use in teens often starts because it seems like a way to relax, but often, they begin to rely on substances just to get through the day. For many, it becomes a way to silence inner turmoil. In today's show, Mark sits down with some Heartlight teens, including a young lady who felt isolated and overlooked, so she turned to drugs to take the pain away. Eventually, this behavior got her expe...

It's easier for teens to get their hands on drugs than it ever has been, and the accessibility coupled with teens' natural curiosity often spells trouble. So, do you know what signs to look for that might point to drug use? In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the underlying issues that drive teens to use drugs and share examples of indicators that your teen might...

Your teenager is well aware of your beliefs; they don't need a constant reminder. What they do need is a strong, supportive relationship with you during this confusing time in their lives. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents dealing with teens who have adopted values that differ from their own. Tune in to discover the art of influencing without control, maintaining...

When you give teens the opportunity to make their own decisions, they WILL eventually fail, and that’s okay! Avoiding giving them control out of fear of failure will hinder their ability to learn how to cope with setbacks. In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how taking risks and allowing your teen to stumble along the way can pave the road to their success and resilien...

If you're a grandparent, you might have times when you're tempted to try to step in and parent your grandchildren, but in most cases, you can leave that to YOUR kids! Your role is to support them and be a source of wisdom and fun for your grandchildren. In today's show, Mark shares some insightful pointers for grandparents who want to have a great relationship with their own adult chil...

When teens are carrying around a lot of hurt inside, they often look for any way to numb it or escape it — even if that means physically running away from home. In today's episode, Mark chats with two Heartlight teens, including one young lady whose struggles with mental health and drug use led her to pack her bags and be on the run for an entire week. Tune in to hear these stories! Interested...

Today's culture is more permissive of sexual activity in the teen years than ever before, and for many teens, this behavior may seem like an easy way to find the sense of connection they crave. This is why we, as parents, NEED to be aware of what's going on in our kids' culture. In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss what drives teens to be sexually active and ho...

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...