Parenting Today's Teens

In today's episode, Mark Gregston answers the top parenting question of the week, which comes from a couple who is trying to encourage their 13-year-old son to take on more responsibilities — especially when it comes to brushing his teeth without being nagged! At this age, kids often need to bump into some natural social consequences before they realize being responsible is in their best inter...

If your relationship with your teen consists of nothing but rules, chances are that your child will continue to pull away from you as they get older. However, combining proper consequences with GRACE toward your child can lead to a truly meaningful, engaged relationship. In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why you need to communicate unconditional love to your teen and...

No parent is perfect, and your past experiences with YOUR parents can have an impact on how you view the world and interact with your own kids. That's why it's so important to reflect on what lingering issues from your past might still be plaguing you today. In this devotional episode, Mark Gregston shares how he coped with his own past traumas and why you should embark on a journey of gen...

The vast majority of teenagers will experiment with alcohol at least once during their high school years, and this experimentation can quickly turn into a downward spiral of bad decisions. In this week's interview with Heartlight teens, one young lady shares with Mark Gregston that she got sent to the boarding school after her drinking habit got so bad she experienced alcohol poisoning. Tune i...

As teens develop into adulthood, they'll inevitably take some wrong turns — and maybe get totally lost — along the way. If your teen makes poor choices and gets lost, don't write them off! In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why it's important to ensure your teen knows that no matter what they do, they can always come home to your love and support. Tune in for mor...

In this episode, Mark Gregston answers the top parenting question of the week, which comes from a single mom who's trying to figure out how to create more enjoyable times with her son. One of the best ways to build a lasting relationship with your child is to simply have fun together! Listen in now for Mark's advice!    If you have a parenting question for Mark, we'd love to hear it! S...

Today's teens are constantly interacting with their friends through texting and social media, but that doesn't mean they are forming actual connections. In fact, many of our kids are lonely and desperate for real relationships! In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd share advice on how you can begin to build — or rebuild — a genuine, meaningful relationship with your teen. Tune...

Teens face all kinds of physical, social and emotional pressures every day, and they NEED a safe place to decompress and feel understood. Grandparents, this is your time to shine! In this episode, Mark Gregston explains why you should work toward turning your home into a place of emotional and spiritual rest for your grandchildren and shares some practical tips on how to make that happen. Don'...

These days, teens have easier access to drugs than ever before, and MANY of them take advantage of opportunities to experiment. Unfortunately, this is often a fast road to addiction. In this episode, Mark Gregston chats with a couple more Heartlight teens, including a young man who battled an intense drug addiction but is in the process of turning his life around. Tune in now for these great inter...

When a teen is spiraling out of control, it impacts everyone else in the home — including their siblings. As parents, it's up to you to make sure that the struggling child doesn't take all of your attention away from your other kids or begin to negatively impact them. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how you can keep everyone in your family on the same page by havi...

In today's episode, Mark Gregston answers the top parenting question of the week, which comes from a mom who is expecting a baby. However, her 14-year-old daughter is not too happy about the idea of a new sibling. Listen in for Mark's insights!    Have your own question for Mark? Send it in at markgregston.com

Disciplining your child once they become a teen certainly looks different than it did when they were little — it involves a lot more than simply telling them to go to their room! In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss why you need a balance of rules AND relationship in order to create effective consequences for your child after they've made a mistake.    For more on this imp...

Can you think of a person, or maybe a group of people, who poured into you with wisdom and positive affirmations when you were younger? For teens and young adults, receiving encouragement from a mentor can mean a lot — especially since they live in a world so full of negativity. In this episode, Mark Gregston recounts how older friends helped him find God's calling for his life and shares how...

In today's impactful episode, Mark Gregston sits down with two teens staying at Heartlight who both attempted suicide not long before arriving at the program. Both young ladies have walked through tremendous trauma and relational challenges, but through counseling — and learning that it's okay to ask for help — they're beginning to heal. You don't want to miss this episode!   For m...

If you have a teen that is spiraling out of control, it can be easy to feel like there is no hope. But God works all things together for good — even rebellious teens! In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd share why it's important to understand the bigger picture of what's going on in the life of your child and trust in the Lord that He will help them get to a better place. Don&...

The number one question parents ask Mark Gregston is, "How do I know when to send my teen away for help?" In this special episode, Mark addresses that question with 15 key things you need to evaluate about your teen to know if sending them to Heartlight is the right call. He also shares some other great resources that you can use to help your teen if boarding school isn't an option. Tu...

When you're in the middle of a battle with your teen, the stress can take a huge toll on your mental and physical health. If you're married, this type of conflict can also easily drive a wedge between you and your spouse. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd explain why it's so important for you to take care of your health — and the health of your marriage — when you'r...

If you don't switch to a training model instead of a teaching model when your child becomes a teen, there's a chance they might hit the brakes on entering adulthood — and get stuck in "waithood." In this episode, Mark Gregston shares why you need to slowly wean your teen off of your provision so they're ready to soar into independence once they become adults. Check it out!   Fo...

Teens can sometimes struggle to see the big picture in life, and they get stuck worrying about the little things too much. In this week's interview with Heartlight teens, Mark Gregston chats with Sam, a young lady who was notorious for flying into fits of rage over the tiniest things. At Heartlight, she's learning to compromise and better communicate her emotions. Don't miss this episo...

It's no secret that teens can be pretty self-centered, but when does normal teen vanity turn into narcissism? In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd share some things to watch out for that indicate your teen might be slipping into narcissism — AND what you can do about it. Don't miss this great episode!    For more on how you can help your teen navigate today's often self-ce...

Most of us have heard of the five love languages — but what if your teen doesn't fit neatly into one of those categories? If you try to limit the way you love your teen to just five love languages, you might miss their heart entirely! In today's episode, Mark Gregston shares four things you can do to figure out how to love your teen well, and in the ways that will mean the most to them.   ...

A big issue impacting the Church today is that the vast majority of teens stop attending after they graduate high school ... but why is that? In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd dive into why teens feel disconnected from the Church — even if they were raised in it — and the steps you can take to help your teen grow to make wise spiritual choices.   "Prayers For My Teen&#34...

One of the biggest challenges parents face today is how to share timeless wisdom with their teens WITHOUT seeming judgmental or disconnected from the culture that kids live in. Simply complaining about your teen's world will only create a blockage — real connection requires effort and understanding. In this devotional, Mark Gregston shares how you can adapt your message and approach to foster...

In this episode, Mark Gregston chats with a couple of Heartlight teens — both of whom experienced deeply traumatic events early in life. For one young lady, who was raped at 15 years old, the journey to healing has been a long and rocky one. But as she graduates from high school (and from Heartlight), the future looks full of hope. Don't miss these powerful interviews!   For more information o...

Today's teens view people in authority much differently than they used to. Instead of giving them respect, teens often view authority figures as untrustworthy — sometimes for good reasons. So how do you teach your teen to respect authority, especially regarding your role as a parent? In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd sit down to discuss WHY teens don't like authority...