Grief is a part of every life.  There’s no escaping it.  But when it comes to teens… grief may be expressed in a unique way.

Teens don’t always grieve like adults do.  They’re still figuring out who they are… so the show of pain and loss comes out in ways you and I might not expect.  In fact, they might work very hard to hide any sign that something’s wrong.  If you’re not paying attention to your teen, you may miss the fact that they’re imploding.

Watch for a sudden change in interests, an outpouring of anger, and a search for distractions.  Whether your child has suffered a loss in the family… or the loss of a dream… you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for signs of grief.  Then… move toward them in the process.

 

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Have you ever given in to a teen’s tantrum… just to keep the peace in your house?  It may work for a while… but in the long term, it’s never a good idea!

I’ve heard parents say a very dangerous statement:  As long as my kid gets what he wants, everything is just fine.  But the minute they’re refused something, all chaos breaks loose.

When I hear that… it tells me that these parents are keeling to their teen’s outbursts.  They’re making a ditch effort to keep peace in the home… but it comes at a high price.  Because placating tantrums only leads to more tantrums… and manipulative behavior that only grows more insidious through the years.

So, if you’ve been keeping peace at all costs in your home… I challenge you to count the long- term ramifications.  And don’t let tantrums slide!

 

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: Megan

Your kid may have arrived in this world as a helpless little baby, but your goal as a parent isn’t to keep them dependent. So how can you help your teen develop as an individual without losing control entirely?

This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston offers six practical tips for moving your teen from dependency to full independence.

 

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.

Are you paying attention to your teen?

I find that many parents want to care for their teen better… but miss one important point of application.  They don’t look below the behavior and personality traits on the surface.

By the time you’ve had fifteen or sixteen years with a child, it’s easy to assume you know him well.  But now’s not the time to slack off in your relationship!  Dig deeper in your conversations… get to know your daughter as if you’d just met.  She’s growing and changing more than you can imagine… and you may find a depth and beauty below the surface that you’ve never seen before.

There’s never been a better time to pay attention to your teen… than right now!

 

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.

We live in a time of deep privilege.  We enjoy luxuries that previous generations never did.  This blessing, however, comes with responsibilities for moms and dads!

Many parents want to express their love by giving abundantly to their children.  And that isn’t a bad thing.  But when moms and dads get into the mode of giving… giving and giving… teens begin to simply take and take!  The luxuries that we know are a privilege, become what our kids demand.

I’m all for sharing.  And providing for your family.  But when a child acts like it’s your duty to share your wealth, you need to take a step back and evaluate!  After all, parenting shouldn’t be about giving kids stuff to make them happy.  Instead, give them a future in which they are happy.

 

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.

No relationship survives without forgiveness.  In fact, for parents, it’s needed on a daily basis!

Whether you have toddlers running around the home, or you’re working through the issues of adolescence with your son or daughter… you know about forgiveness.  And, most likely, you know what happens when you don’t forgive.  The bitterness that comes when we hold onto the pain is destructive, to say the least.

But you have a choice right now.  You can choose, by God’s grace, to let go of how your teen hurt you… and begin to rebuild the relationship that has suffered.  It’s possible!  But it’ll take making that choice every day.

So start right now.  Choose to forgive.

 

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 have children living at home, I challenge you to read a passage in the Bible… First Thessalonians, chapter 5.

Read these verses… and imagine them as directives to you as a mom or dad.  Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Sounds like a tall order, doesn’t it?  Especially when there’s tension at home that almost always accompanies adolescents.

But my hope for you is that you’ll see this period in your life as the very thing that transforms you.  When you come to the end of yourself— as you always will in parenting— fall on the grace of God… and find that He’s changing you for the better!

And that’s good cause for Giving thanks in all circumstances!

 

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 meet a lot of responsible parents.  They prepare for everything… from financial uncertainty to disaster readiness.  But when it comes to conflict in the home, they’re hopelessly unprepared!

Conflict isn’t optional in homes… it will come, especially if you have teens under your roof!  So, one of the best things you can do as a mom or dad is be prepared.  But how?

Well, first, it’s important to decide that you’ll move toward your teen, no matter what the fight is about.  Communicating love is more important than winning every argument.

Then, before any fight breaks out, make a plan for how you’ll listen and stay focused on the topic at hand.  When you get sidetracked or stop listening, the conflict inevitably goes downhill.

 

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: Madeline

Watching your teen leave on their first date can be a harrowing experience—but it doesn’t have to be!

This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston answers tough questions about common dating issues, and discusses how to prepare yourself and your teen for the world of dating.

 

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 they say, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” …they aren’t necessarily referring to personality types.

Just because a child shares your last name and reflects your facial features… doesn’t mean they have a similar personality type.  You may be calm, cool and collected… while your son is boisterous and the life of the party.  You might be into sports… while your daughter would rather play clarinet in the band.

Neither personality is bad!  It just takes extra effort on your part to accept your child as he is… to resist forcing him into your own likes and dislikes.

When it comes to the apple falling far from the tree… celebrate the differences in your kids!

 

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.