When your teen hits a rough patch … you need to understand the implications on the entire household.  For instance, dealing with a struggling teen can be hard on your marriage.  Really hard!

A struggling teen can drive a nasty wedge between a husband and wife.  So, Mom … Dad … stand up to the pressure that threatens your relationship.  Present a united front to your teen and insist that your child treat both of you with respect.

Become co-warriors in the cause.  Mom, support your husband.  Dad, don’t wimp out on your wife.  Two warriors united in battle will keep a child from self-destructing.

Let your teen know that you’re working together for a common cause.  A healthy and happy home.

 

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

This might be hard for you to hear, but chances are, your teen will drink alcohol sometime during his or her high school years.

Teens are curious.  They experiment.  They follow one another.  They make immature and impetuous choices.  So… don’t be naïve.

Prepare for the conflict.  Instead of overreacting and making things worse than they already are… take a gentle approach.  A gentle word always turns away an overreaction.

Mom and Dad… before jumping all over his or her case, figure out what’s motivating your teen to drink.  Sit down and ask questions.  Understanding what’s behind his behavior will ensure that your approach is correct and the consequences are appropriate.

Don’t make it a federal offense, but be sure to address it right away.

 

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

Man, girls can be brutal to each other.  I mean… WOW!  What happened to the sweet princess you once knew?

In a world where young ladies are pressured to present themselves older than they actually are… competition breaks out, mean words are exchanged, and what do we have?  Drama, drama, drama!

Mom, Dad, you can’t always stop the damage, but you can counter the effects when your daughter is hurting.  Here are some pointers:

Send her encouraging notes or texts.

Buy her something new when she’s not expecting it.

Take her to a movie that stimulates conversation.

Dad …take her on a date.

Above all else, teach your daughter to respect people… including herself.  Let her know that you’ll always love your sweet little princess.  Even amidst the drama.

 

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

Ever wish your daughter would knock off all the chatter, chatter, chatter… and quit all the silly dramatic girl talk?

If your daughter is a drama queen … let me challenge you to do something counter-intuitive:  stop, listen, and be grateful that she’s sharing with you.

Listening to your teen can go a long way in developing a strong relationship.  If your teen becomes a little annoying when she shares openly with you, and you miss it by checking your email or zoning out… your teen may quit sharing altogether!

Hey, be thankful your daughter is spilling her thoughts with you.  Continue to build trust with her.  Don’t miss out.  Time is fleeting, and someday you’ll wish you had dialed in more.  So Mom, Dad … hang in there.  Your drama queen needs you to listen!

 

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

Student Story: Alex

Teens are often restless, anxious, frustrated and depressed. Does your home environment soothe these feelings—or exacerbate them?

This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston suggests four ways to counter the negativity in your teen’s life by providing a balancing alternative at home.

 

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

True or false?  Teens want their parents to be their friends

After more than thirty years of working with kids, I can confidently say the answer is FALSE.  I frequently hear teens say, “I wish my parents would be what I need them to be, and not what I want them to be.”  That might be hard to believe, but your teens don’t actually want you to be their friend.

See, moms and dads are tempted to be a peer-ent rather than a parent.  If you’re not taking a stand… stick to your guns… and let consequences come.  If you don’t… you’re only causing your teen’s immaturity to flourish.

So take a look at your parenting style and ask yourself this question:  Am I a peer? … Or a parent?

 

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

Have a kid who’s unmotivated, irresponsible and immature?  Parents, it’s possible you’re contributing to this cycle of defeat!

The longer a parent holds onto responsibilities that should be gradually transferred to a child… the longer it’ll take for that child to mature.  You see, when you hold back real life responsibilities, it just enables immaturity in your teen.

Mom and dad, your teens doesn’t need more friends.  They don’t necessarily need more stuff, either.  They need a parent… a parent who’s willing to trust their child with responsibility… who won’t rescue a child when consequences come… and who doesn’t flinch when it’s time to let the rope out.

Is that you?  Start today… be the parent your son and daughter needs.

 

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

Here’s a tough question for parents:  Would you rather control your teen… or trust him?

A mother called me to share her concern about a teenage son who was in rebellion, dishonest and disrespectful.  She was confused because she had lovingly raised her son “right” by clearly communicating all of her expectations.

I soon found out that what she meant.  This well intentioned lady had she articulated a laborious list of requirements for her family… consisting of one hundred directives!

No one could live up to the standard!  Her son felt like she was controlling everything in his life.  He admitted that he’d rather do wrong and be in control… than do right and not be in control.

Mom, Dad, lighten up.  Stop trying to control your teen.  Start trusting.

 

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

How many times have you walked into your teen’s room on a Sunday morning, informing him it’s time for church… only to hear a muffled, “No thanks”?

Teens are leaving the church in record numbers.  According to the Barna group, close to 60% leave church after the age fifteen.

Mom and dad… if your kid is one of that 60%, do not take it personally.  Instead, start discussing this matter with your child long before he or she becomes a teen.  Show them that attending church is not a duty, but a privilege, your family is committed to.

And above all else, model to your teen what living out your faith looks like.  Who knows, that Sunday morning “no thanks” may turn into a “yes please!”

 

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.

When a teenager doesn’t know what’s expected in your home, he does what seems right in his own eyes.  And that’s a formula for disaster!

A good way to avoid chaos in the teenage years is to establish what I call a “Belief System for Discipline.”  It’s a clear plan for the standards expected in your home.

Think about what you want in your household… the lines you don’t want crossed and consequences for crossing them.  Create some structure by communicating what you expect… then following through with discipline and privileges for corresponding behavior.

Take a stand against chaos in your home.  Your clearly stated “Belief System” can be the recipe for a happy and healthy family!

 

If you listen on a mobile phone or tablet, please download our Parenting Today’s Teens app available for Apple or Android. If you listen on a desktop or laptop computer, press the “play” button above to enjoy daily parenting advice.