I often run into parents who are anxious about their teen’s dating life.  Do you ever worry about their choices?

Perhaps your child is in middle school and you’re thinking about what’s over the horizon.  Or maybe you’re struggling with the decisions your seventeen- year- old is making with her boyfriend.  Whatever the case, this area of parenting is tough!  Consider these quick guidelines that may help you navigate the process…

First, get on the same page with your spouse as to dating rules for your kids.

Second, talk openly with your teen about those rules… and what you expect.

Finally, consider loosening your grip in appropriate ways as your child gets older.

As you learn to balance trust with boundaries, hopefully your son or daughter will make wise choices in the friendships they pursue.

 

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.

If you’re raising a teenager, then here’s the first thing you can take to the bank:  Teenagers will act like teenagers during their teenage years!

Yep, your kids will make mistakes.  They’ll lie.  They’ll mistreat people.  They’ll stumble.  But just because they mess up from time to time doesn’t mean we bail them out of their consequences.

The second thing you can count on is this:  what you’ve taught your kids is paramount.  The seeds you’ve sown in their lives will one day come to fruition!

And third:  mom and dad… you need to trust God’s involvement in your kid’s life!  He wants good things for your teen.  And He’ll never abandon you or your kids.

Take those three things to the bank and cash them in!  Some day your teen will thank you.

 

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 it comes to giving kids the freedom to make their own choices… are you afraid your children will make mistakes?

Let me ease your mind.  Your kids will mess up.  There’s no doubt about it.

But here’s the good thing.  It’ll give you plenty to talk about.  Use their mistakes as an opportunity to help them make better decisions in the future.  Let the foolish decision be useful!  When your son or daughter blows it, this is your chance to value them and love them even through the pain of their mistakes.  Don’t shame your kids or rescue them from consequences.

Do you think your kids aren’t ready to make their own choices?  Of course they’re not!  But your teen’s mistakes can be excellent teachers!

 

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.

There’s a battle raging in homes today.  It’s a battle for control.

Teens want control of their lives.  But I’ve met many parents who are afraid to let them have it.  Moms will tell me their son is too immature to handle his own life.  Or, dads want to teach the kid a lesson … that the world doesn’t revolve around him!

Well, this battle for control is natural.  But mom, dad, you can’t hang on forever.  The more you clamp down on your teen, the more she’s tempted to control her life in other ways… like violating rules behind your back.

So be proactive!  Find little ways to release your grip… to let the rope out a little.  You’re not losing the battle.  You’re training your kids to be healthy and independent!

 

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: Ethan

On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your relationship with your teen?

This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston offers four guiding principles to improve your relationship, whether it’s in a state of crisis or calmness. Then, Mark shares specific words of advice for both moms and dads.

 

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.

Studies show that kids who grow up in the church are actually abandoning their faith in record numbers… especially when they hit the late teen years.  Why is that?

As you know, our world is changing.  It’s no longer socially expected to attend church.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  Your teen hears anti- church messages all day long.

Mom, dad … this will be an uphill battle.  Expect difficulty when you value something that the world doesn’t value.  Avoid the temptation to mock or berate your teen … as they strive to establish their own spiritual convictions.

And by all means, don’t give up!  Keep encouraging your kids to pursue the truth, to connect with other Christians… and remember … there’s nothing more winsome than a mom or dad who truly loves God with all their heart!

 

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.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not turn from it.”

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

That’s a comforting promise for parents.  But I know some moms and dads who want the “he will not turn from it” part to happen immediately.  My response is this:  now’s a really good time to work on your patience!

When your child walks away from the values and beliefs you’ve instilled… it’s painful.  I know.  But take courage.  Journeys don’t happen overnight, and God’s leading your child on a path that may take the long way around.

I hope you’ll continue to hold on to that promise… even when times are tough.  “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not turn from it.”

 

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’s the chemistry with the people in your house?  Are you truly connecting?  And how’s your relationship with your teen?

After thirty-plus years of working with struggling teens and their families… I’ve come to realize that almost everything goes back to relationship.  A discipline problem is usually a relationship problem.  Conflict becomes an enemy when there’s no connection between parent and child.  And rules in your home that aren’t backed by a strong sense of rapport will eventually yield rebellion.

Are you convinced yet?  Hey, there’s no better time than right now to work on connecting with your teen.  No matter how you’ve blown it in the past, no matter how much tension is building, it’s never too late to pursue relationships 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.

I would venture to say that all teen behavior is driven by the need to belong.  And when real connection isn’t available… kids will stoop to cheap substitutes.

Appearance, performance, conformity.  Your teen draws on all of these areas to fit in.  You might notice a drastic change in your daughter’s clothing or hairstyle.  Maybe your son is using language he wouldn’t normally use.  It’s shocking to a parent who’s spent so much time investing and teaching good character.

But I’d encourage you to look beyond the behavior changes for a moment.  Is your teen acting out in order to belong?  Is he or she just trying to fill the emptiness?

Mom and dad… remember… you can do a lot to help your teen feel accepted … especially 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.

Turn on the news station, watch YouTube videos, browse Facebook… everyone desperately wants to be heard!

It’s not bad to have an opinion.  But for teens, there are two volatile elements:  the invitation to publically express personal opinion, and the immaturity and irresponsibility they’re still growing out of.  Combine those two things and what do you get?  A recipe for disaster and broken friendships!

You see, when a teen is allowed to share opinions publically, it often morphs into mockery of others, judgmental statements or just plain ol’ meanness.  Then, with the click of a mouse, those hurtful statements are broadcast to the digital world.

Mom and dad… pay careful attention to the opinions your teen is sharing in a digital age!

 

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.