Recently, one of my good friends asked, “Mark, what does my teen need from me?”

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

My answer was, “They need you to be imperfect.”

Not what you were expecting, right? Let me explain. Teens long to connect, engage, and have meaningful relationships. But here’s something I’ve realized after decades of working with kids.

They don’t give a rip that I write books. They aren’t impressed that I speak around the country. And they couldn’t care less about my big mustache. But they do connect when I share my struggles, my hurts, and my stupid mistakes.

So what does your teen need from you today? They need you to be imperfect. Because once you’re both on the same playing field, then true connection can flourish.