Parenting Today's Teens

Managing your teen’s phone use starts with recognizing that phones aren’t just distractions — they’re a primary way teens connect, feel entertained and stay tied to their world. While excessive phone use can interrupt attention, reduce face-to-face relationships and fuel dopamine-driven habits, the technology isn’t going away. So, parents must lead intentionally. Setting age-appropriate boundaries...

Mark Gregston explains that today’s self-help culture constantly tells kids they’re “not enough,” fueling anxiety, confusion and a relentless pressure to perform. He reminds parents that Scripture points to God’s sufficiency and unconditional grace — our kids don’t need to earn their worth. One of a parent’s most important roles is to consistently communicate, through time, presence and validation...

Sometimes what looks like rebellion or risky behavior in teens is really just a signal flare for something deeper going on inside. On today’s episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight residents, each with a different story but a similar struggle: trying to fill the emptiness and pain in their lives by acting out. Whether it’s substance use, running away or searching for connection in all the wro...

Today, Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur discuss how parents of teens with ADHD may need to adjust expectations and recognize that their teen may struggle with focus, impulsivity, follow-through and relational depth — not because they don’t care, but because their brain works differently. Shorter conversations, built-in breaks, clear structure and consistent reminders can reduce f...

Every parent worries about their teen’s online world — but what’s really driving all that screen time? In today’s show, Mark answers questions from two mothers concerned about their daughters’ search for connection through social media and texting. Behind the flirty messages and endless scrolling is a longing to feel valued and affirmed, both at home and with peers. Mark explores how technology ha...

A teen’s purpose isn’t discovered in a single moment or from sitting at home; it unfolds through exposure, experience and exploration. In today's show, we explore how parents play a vital role by expanding their teen’s world, encouraging curiosity, and allowing them to try, fail and grow without forcing a fixed path too early. Purpose develops as teens engage in real-world experiences, learn r...

Parents want the best for their teens, but good intentions can backfire when love feels tied to performance. This conversation reminds parents that kids need to know they are loved unconditionally — especially when they fail — because high standards without grace often lead to shame, secrecy and withdrawal. Healthy relationships balance clear expectations with forgiveness, making room for growth r...

Many parents might be surprised to learn that the behaviors and struggles their teens exhibit often stem from deep-rooted issues with self-worth. On today's episode, Mark sits down with two young women, each sharing honest accounts of their battles with anxiety, isolation and the need for validation. Whether it's navigating self-harm, tough family dynamics or the pressure to find acceptanc...

In today's episode, Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur explain that raising responsible teens isn’t about perfection, but about preparing them for real life. Parents are encouraged to shift from constant teaching and correcting to intentional training — giving teens age-appropriate responsibility, room to make decisions, and space to fail and learn. Allowing natural consequence...

In today's show, Mark Gregston dives into some more pressing questions parents have about raising teenagers amidst the challenges of technology, screen time and social media. He discusses how to strike a balance between connection and safety, set healthy boundaries for internet and video game use, and recognize the impact of digital life on teens’ relationships and well-being. Drawing from rec...

Listen today as Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how it’s normal for teens to act differently in different settings, but it becomes concerning when they hide behavior that violates their values or are falling apart beneath a polished exterior. Mark explains that a “double life” isn’t about personality differences, but about secrecy, fear and the pressure to appear perfect. Parents can’t co...

Today, Mark Gregston shares a devotional from Psalm 86:15, exploring how children can grow up believing love must be earned through performance. When parents unknowingly reinforce this, kids begin to fear that failure will cost them acceptance, tying their value to behavior and achievement. Mark reminds parents to model God’s compassion, grace, patience and abounding love so children understand lo...

When teens seem demanding or expect the world handed to them, it's easy to chalk it up to “just being a teenager” — but there’s often more beneath the surface. Today, Mark talks with two more teens from Heartlight, both of whom open up about their journeys confronting a culture of entitlement in their families and themselves. For Isaac, easy access to anything he wanted became a way to receive...

As kids enter the teen years, parents often spend so much time correcting behavior that they unintentionally crowd out connection. Constantly fighting about every issue can push teens away, exhaust parents and hinder the independence teens need to develop. The key is learning to “choose your battles” by letting go of issues that don’t matter long-term and focusing on what truly shapes character an...

In this Q&A episode, Mark tackles another batch of real questions from listeners facing everyday parenting challenges. From helping quiet preteens open up and navigating the anxiety of an 18-year-old’s first relationship, to supporting grandchildren with low self-esteem and managing overwhelming situations, Mark Gregston offers practical, heartfelt advice. He discusses the importance of shifti...

In today's episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how parents will inevitably feel hurt or disappointed by their teen’s mistakes, but those moments are opportunities to show grace rather than withdraw. Grace means moving toward teens when they fail — allowing consequences to stand while affirming that love and relationship remain secure. Teens need to know their parents’ love is not...

Listen in as Mark Gregston shares a devotional from the book of Proverbs, challenging parents to deepen their relationship with their teens. Mark reminds us that in a world where information is multiplying at an overwhelming pace, teens aren’t looking for more facts — they’re searching for wisdom. Proverbs 3 reminds us that wisdom brings peace, purpose and understanding that no amount of informati...

For many families, the journey through the teen years is marked by trust that’s been damaged — and the hope for restoration. Today, Mark sits down with two young men at Heartlight who share candid stories about their struggles with boundaries, addiction and feeling misunderstood at home. Both students open up about the hard work required to rebuild trust with their parents and themselves, finding...

Today, Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur discuss the irreplaceable role grandparents play in the lives of their teenage grandchildren. Mark reminds grandparents that staying connected requires intentional effort and flexibility as grandchildren grow and the relationship changes — but their need for loving, steady grandparents is greater than ever. By listening more, meeting teens...

In today's episode, Mark tackles some more challenging questions parents are facing with their teenagers today. From motivating a checked-out high school senior to navigating differences in parenting styles, he shares practical wisdom and heartfelt advice. He also addresses sensitive topics like fractured relationships after divorce, concerns about teen identity in the age of social media and...

Parents often unintentionally push their teens away by demanding perfection, forcing authority or coming across as judgmental. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd explain that while parents still hold authority, it’s HOW that authority is expressed that determines whether teens feel drawn in or shut down. Mark emphasizes that teens change through relationship — not control — and that...

Today, Mark Gregston shares a personal devotional from Romans 16:17. Listen as he discusses what to do when a once-close relationship with your child becomes distant during the teen years. Mark encourages parents not to lose hope, but to recognize that old parenting tools may need to be expanded with new ones that foster trust, connection and understanding. Teens need their parents now more than e...

What happens when teens turn to drugs to cope with struggles that feel too heavy to bear? Many young people use substances as a way to escape feelings of hurt, isolation or confusion. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston talks with two Heartlight teens whose struggles reveal how common it is for teens to use drugs to numb emotional pain. For 17-year-old Gabe, social isolation and family conflict drov...

Today, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd encourage parents to view teen dating as a training ground, not just something to restrict or fear. Mark emphasizes that healthy, age-appropriate dating — guided by clear expectations and strong communication — can help teens learn respect, boundaries and what godly relationships look like. Not every relationship with the opposite sex has to be sexual, and p...

Today, Mark tackles real questions from parents who are in the trenches with their teens. From navigating the challenges of adoption with children who have struggled for years, to conversations around sexuality, substance use and the whirlwind of teen relationships, this episode dives deep into the tough scenarios so many families face. Mark offers practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement for...