Parenting Today's Teens

By the age of 16, teens are closer to independence than they are to dependence. Should the rules change as they get older? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston advises parents on how to loosen the reins over the years in order to create responsible and successful individuals. Don’t miss out on his advice — tune in now! Have a question for Mark? Submit it here: markgregston.com For more information on...

Believe it or not, teens long for heart to heart conversations with their parents. Every kid has a message they desperately want to convey — they just don’t know how. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd review answers from teens who were asked, “What do you wish your parents knew?” They also discuss ways for parents to connect with their kids on a deeper level. Have you gotten you...

Much like a child questioning if a movie they love takes place in the real world, we need to look at our social media feeds and discern how much of it is actually "real." This is especially true for teenagers, who are bombarded by content from celebrities and influencers every day. In today's episode, Mark Gregston explains why it's crucial to set boundaries around your teen's...

Many of our teens go through periods in life when they don't feel like they fit in with their peers. Usually, it's just a passing phase, but sometimes, they need you as a parent to help them when they're feeling lost. In today's show, Mark Gregston chats with two Heartlight teens who often felt like outsiders — one turned to drugs to cope, while the other felt like suicide was the...

Whether it's college, the military, trade school or working full-time, it's beneficial for both you and your teen to have a plan for what comes after high school. Otherwise, they might start feeling just a little bit TOO comfortable at home. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about why many teens today experience a "failure to launch," and how you can help them...

While it can be hard to admit that your teen may need more help than you can offer, it is sometimes essential. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents of disrespectful, dishonest and depressed teens who want to know how to best help their children. Don’t miss out on his great advice!   Our Grandparenting Bundle is packed with wisdom, insights and advice selected just for g...

If you’re not growing closer to your teen, you’re growing apart. Kids yearn to be seen, heard and known. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the impact of being quick to listen and slow to speak as a parent, and how making your teen feel valued will draw them to you in ways you’ve never seen before. Don’t miss this important topic, tune in now!   Our Devotional Bundle is p...

As a parent, sometimes you must accept that kids will be kids. Having a messy room, following odd trends or sleeping in late are all pretty normal teenage behaviors — but how do you know when things are actually getting out of hand? In this episode, Mark Gregston shares some things you can watch for that indicate your teen's behavior is abnormal and they may be struggling. Don't miss these...

Drugs are more accessible for teens than ever before. And when there's strife at home and kids start looking for relief, it can be easy for them to start down a dark path and end up in the throes of addiction. In today's episode, Mark Gregston sits down with a couple more Heartlight teens, including a young man who has struggled with drug addiction throughout high school but is looking tow...

Thanks to technology and social media, teens are talking to each other more than ever before — but are they actually connecting more? In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about why the lack of face-to-face connection is driving teens to sometimes make bad choices and how YOU can foster stronger relationships in your home. Listen in for this great topic!   For more on effec...

We all have bad days, but what happens when disagreeable moods turn into toxic identities? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents who are at a loss as to how they should reel in their kids’ lazy, stubborn, negative and angry lifestyles. Don’t miss out on this advice!   If you have your own question for Mark, send it in at markgregston.com   To learn more about how to shif...

Prepare yourself — your teen will go behind your back. The parent who claims “not my kid” is in for an unpleasant surprise. In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss ways to recognize your teens' lies, and how to handle them once you do. Tune in now!   For more successful strategies to build a strong relationship with your child, check out "Tough Guys and Drama Queen...

If you've been waiting for "just the right time," to truly connect with your kids or grandkids ... that time is now! Begin building your legacy today. In this episode, Mark Gregston discusses why you should take advantage of the present and focus on what truly matters, and shares some insightful stories from his own life. Listen in now!   For more practical counsel on building a meanin...

When a parent passes away, everyone in the family is left to learn how to cope the best they can. Unfortunately, sometimes differing coping mechanisms can cause even more friction between a teen and their remaining parent. In today's show, Mark Gregston sits down with two Heartlight teens who both lost their dads and struggled to get along with their moms in the aftermath. These interviews are...

A lot of teens seem to argue just for the sake of arguing, but oftentimes, there are some deeper issues going on under the surface. As a parent, you have the opportunity to teach your teens that they can express opinions WITHOUT turning the situation into a battle. In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how you can deal with a teen who likes to argue and set a positive ex...

Influence is defined as the capacity to have an effect on the character, development or behavior of someone. As a parent, how do your actions and decisions shape the life of your teen? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from parents who are concerned about the abundance of outside voices speaking into the lives of their teens, ranging from boyfriends and social media to counselors...

The responsibilities of a parent are arguably infinite, which raises the question: Is there a single component of parenting that should be prioritized above all others? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd make a case for relationships, discussing why they should take precedence over everything else and claiming that they are actually the very foundation of parenting. Don’t miss th...

Most parents would agree that they're grateful they're not growing up in today's teenage culture. Our teens are faced with information overload, shallow relationships, pressure from social media and so much more — and they desperately need your wisdom as a parent. In this episode, Mark Gregston explains why today's culture can have such a negative impact on relationships and how yo...

While there is ALWAYS hope for struggling teens, they'll inevitably hit some bumps in the road while finding their way again. What matters is how they recover from stumbling. In this week's interview with Heartlight residents, one young lady shares with Mark Gregston how she fell back into old habits when she went home to visit her family and is now working on getting back on track. Don&#3...

Whether it's intentional or not, teens can sometimes be quite hurtful toward their parents. When your teen has hurt you, do you carry that resentment with you? Or do you show them the power of forgiveness? In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why it's important to model forgiveness for your children because it will impact how they interact with their own families l...

In this episode, Mark Gregston answers the question of the week, which comes from a parent who is trying to get their teen to go to therapy. If help is viewed as a sign of weakness, many won’t reach out for it. Tune in to hear Mark’s advice!   Do you have a question for Mark? Check out https://markgregston.com/   For more information on the Heartlight residential program, visit heartlightministrie...

In a culture where anxiety is high and teens crave connection, marijuana can seem like the perfect solution. If “everyone is doing it,” why would your teen want to be the exception? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the effects of weed being normalized, as well as the importance of teaching your kids to combat mental and social issues head on. Listen now!   Have a questi...

In the chaos of today's world, our teens are desperately looking for someone to truly listen to them. Mom or Dad, is that person you? Or do you often find yourself dismissing what your child says? In today's show, Mark Gregston shares his thoughts on the power of participatory listening and how it can deeply improve your relationship with your teen. Don't miss this thought-provoking ep...

When kids get adopted, it's definitely not always a smooth transition — it's a massive adjustment for the entire family. In this episode, Mark Gregston sits down to chat with a couple of Heartlight teens, including a 16-year-old girl who was adopted, along with her younger sister, only a few years ago. While her adoption story looked perfect on the outside, she struggled to adjust because...

Disrespect has an extremely potent way of ruining relationships. If you have a disrespectful teen in your home, the situation needs to be dealt with — and quickly. In today's show, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about how to approach a child that has a disrespect issue, why you should be conscious of any role you might play in it and much more. Tune in for this important discussion!   H...