Parenting Today's Teens

In this episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents who are seeking out the cure for disrespectful and immature teens. From letting natural consequences take their course to being brave enough to let your kid go, Mark provides insightful advice on guiding your teen's journey toward adulthood successfully. Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: /markgregston.com For more successful...

The unfortunate reality of self-harm is that it is becoming increasingly prevalent in our culture today. From relieving stress and depression to creating excitement and fitting in, this destructive behavior is just a symptom, albeit a dangerous one. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd delve into the psychology of these tendencies and explore the importance of providing healthy alt...

Whether you've stubbed your toe or had your heart broken, pain changes you — short term AND long term. So, when your teen is acting out or begins to hate things they once loved, it might be time to look at what pain could be behind that behavior. In today's episode, Mark recalls some personal stories of how pain impacted and changed the way he interacted with the world, and shares advice f...

When teens first arrive at Heartlight, many of them struggle with anger, frustration or take the "fake it 'til you make it" approach to the program. But as time passes, these same kids begin to learn valuable things about themselves and find healing they never knew they needed. In this episode, Mark chats with two young ladies who both appeared on the show before when they first got to...

Your child will only grow and mature into independence if you encourage and enable them to do it. They've got to flex those decision-making muscles! In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd are sharing specific ways you can help your teen begin their journey toward independence and think about their future in brand new ways. This topic is important for all parents, so listen in! For d...

In today's episode, join Mark Gregston as he tackles the pressing concerns of parents seeking guidance on how to guide their teenagers in the right direction. From addressing the delicate balance between screen time and fostering genuine connections to nurturing spirituality and handling disrespect, Mark provides invaluable insights and practical strategies that you don’t want to miss out on!...

It’s time to shine a light on the alarming trend of hopelessness among teenagers and the heartbreaking reality of suicide. Kids today live in an increasingly fragile social ecosystem where one word from their peers can make or break them. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd provide guidance on how parents can help their struggling teens by fostering connections, providing a safe s...

One of the biggest challenges you will likely face as a parent is figuring out how to pass down wisdom to your teens in a way that is applicable to today's culture. It's no easy task, but your teens will be grateful for it one day. In this episode, Mark explains why you can't share wisdom without first fostering real connection and showing interest in your child's world. Tune in no...

Have you ever felt isolated or misunderstood? It's a lonely place to be. And for some teens in this position, the only thing they know to do is isolate themselves even further. In today's show, Mark Gregston chats with two teens at Heartlight who share how they're working through deep struggles, like one young man whose depression caused him to feel like he couldn't connect with an...

We have a selfishness epidemic among our teens, and, unfortunately, parents probably play a role in it. If you're not careful, provision can quickly move to enabling your teen — which can lead to a selfish and entitled young adult. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss what to look out for if you have a self-centered teen and share some tips to help your child move past an...

Join Mark Gregston in this episode as he tackles the challenges faced by parents when it comes to determining their level of involvement in their teenager's life. From navigating issues of disrespect, anger and complicated relationships, Mark provides valuable insights on striking the right balance. Don't miss out on his expert advice — tune in today! Have a question for Mark? Submit it he...

The adolescent years are characterized by rapid changes, emotional upheavals and a quest for independence. As parents, we find ourselves grappling with the challenging task of understanding and effectively addressing our teenager's anger. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd provide five valuable insights on how to de-escalate anger, avoid arguments and nurture strong connectio...

Your words can have a profound influence on the impressionable minds of adolescents and young adults. In this episode, Mark reshares his devotional highlighting the lasting impact of positive and negative comments on his life. He discusses invaluable insights shared by the mentors who championed his dreams and believed in the calling God had for him. Listen in now! Have you seen our Parenting Tool...

Whether it's drugs, video games or social media, teens often get engulfed in things they see as an escape from the problems of everyday life. But what happens when they inevitably realize escapism has gotten them nowhere? In today's interview with Heartlight teens, Mark sits down with two young men who tried to avoid their issues, like RJ, who used video games to avoid his troubles — and h...

Many teens are crazy about video games, and that's not always a bad thing, but it's important for parents to uphold some rules and expectations around gaming time. In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss WHY kids love this technology so much and share some practical tips for parents who are navigating boundaries with their teen's video game habits. Don't mi...

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents who are aiming to foster independence, nurture faith and navigate the influence of friends. He delves into the importance of allowing teens to make their own choices while providing guidance that can shape their future decisions. Don’t miss out — tune in now! Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: https://markgregston.com/ For mor...

The majority of people overestimate the effects of their parenting and underestimate the influence of the culture. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd dive deep into the challenges parents face in a rapidly changing world. Join them as they offer brutal honesty, important questions, and a glimmer of hope for every parent struggling with rebellious teens — listen now! For more succ...

The high school years are important for many reasons, but a huge one is that this time is the primary season to be preparing your teen to be a responsible young adult. So, how do you find the balance of knowing when to be hands-off and when to help them through challenges? In this episode, Mark explains what can happen when a parent's provision turns into enabling a spoiled teen and why you ne...

Many teens — and adults — struggle with opening up and sharing their hearts and struggles with others. Vulnerability can be scary, but very beneficial in healing. In today's show, Mark talks with two Heartlight high schoolers who've learned this firsthand, including Jake, who shares how he was finally able to take off his "mask" and talk about his depression to counselors and frien...

Teens today don't need their parents to just share more information with them — they have all the information they could need in the palm of their hand! What our teens DO need is wisdom. In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why you need to be a "trainer" for your teen, not just a teacher. Tune in now for this timely topic! For more tools to better communicat...

In today’s episode, Mark Gregston advises a parent questioning how to set boundaries with her son now that he’s 18. Which rules can become flexible and which rules must remain rigid? Tune in now to hear his guidance! Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: markgregston.com Have you gotten your copy of Mark's newest devotional, "Daily Hope For Families," yet? Order yours today at dail...

Do you feel like you're constantly running on empty as the parent of a troubled teen? Join Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd on today’s episode as they share practical approaches on how to refuel your spirits and find renewed strength. From taking a step back to gain perspective to recognizing progress along the way, discover how to stay motivated and energized as you navigate the challenges of...

Adolescents and young adults soak up comments and info like a sponge, so never underestimate the power your words — positive OR negative — can hold. In this episode, Mark re-shares how the mentors who spoke positivity into his life and goals still impact him today and how they helped him overcome all the naysayers. Don't miss his insights! Have you checked out our full catalog of Parenting Tod...

If a teen gets to a point where they feel like their life doesn't have a clear purpose and no one is there to listen to them, they can arrive at a very dark place quite quickly. In today's show, Mark talks with two young ladies who struggled with hopelessness and guilt. One reflects on why she turned to self-harm while battling an eating disorder, while the other, a Heartlight alumna, shar...

If you're a grandparent, maintaining a close relationship with your teen grandkids can be a truly wonderful thing — for you AND them! But sometimes, it's hard to know where to start when it comes to connecting to today's teens. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd share five specific ways you can show your teen grandchildren they're loved and understood. Listen in for...