Mom, dad, find yourself gettin’ all twisted up and worried about your teen?

Billy Graham once said, “Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us.”

Wow, that’s a convicting statement. But let’s face it, as a parent, it’s really hard not to worry about your kids! We worry about what they’re doing, where they’re at, and who they’re with. We fret over the choices they make, and lie awake at night thinking about their future.

So today, if you find yourself weary from worry and overwhelmed with fear, lay it all down at God’s feet. Put your hope and trust in Him.

Why? Even in the midst of chaos, God is always in control.

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Picture this: Your teen comes home two hours past curfew. You’ve been worried sick. Then he calmly waltzes in like nothing happened. Something snaps, and you start yelling.

Hey, we’ve all done it. But when your teen breaks the rules, he desperately needs an adult who can respond, not react.

To respond is to remain calm and offer grace and support, while still seeking to correct the behavior. To react is to get angry and emotional, and lay on the judgment. Hey, knee-jerk reactions are counterproductive, and often sabotage what you truly want to achieve.

So the next time your teen crosses the line, here’s an easy three-point game plan. Stop, think, act. That means stop your mouth, think about what needs to be done, and then, and only then, speak.

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What’s the greatest legacy you will leave for your children?

I love the way this poet defined legacy. “There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots. The other, wings.”

Man, that nails it, doesn’t it? As parents, we work hard to give our kids deep convictions and disciplines. Roots. And we pray that our efforts will prepare them for life.

Why? When our teens develop into young adults, we long to see them spread their wings and leave the nest. To fly!

You wanna leave a great legacy for your family? Give your kids roots. And give ‘em wings. Yes, some days the work seems overwhelming as you drive down those roots. But someday, your teens will learn to soar.

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Dishonesty may seem like a minor issue. But lying is actually a serious vice that parents should never ignore.

Ultimately, dishonesty is rooted in disrespect: disrespect for others, disrespect for authority, and disrespect for oneself. And the longer a parent waits to address the problem, the more entrenched and habitual it becomes.

So if you see lies and falsehoods creeping into your teen’s conversations, texts, or Facebook posts, don’t stand by and watch! Confront it.

Let your teen know that as his parent, it’s your job to keep an eye out for deception. Letting him get away with lying, cheating or stealing today, could lead to a lifetime of misery down the road.

Proverbs 12:19 says, “Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.”

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Student Story: Matt

Do you ever feel like you’re living in a battle zone? Just because you’re winning battles doesn’t mean you can’t still lose the war! This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston helps define which battles are worth fighting. It all has to do with the main goal in every interaction with your teen.

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Recently, I came across an interesting Time magazine cover. It pictured a child standing like a puppet, with his arms and legs attached to strings, presumably controlled by a parent above.

Well, it seems the world is finally catching on to the folly of over-parenting. I’m talking about the moms and dads who hover over their kids 24/7, while bending over backwards to meet their every need.

What these parents don’t realize, though, is that every little thing they do for their kid, is one more thing they may never learn to do for themselves.

So if you’ve been guilty of over-parenting, or smother-mothering, now’s the time to cut the strings! Step back, let go, and give your teen the freedom he needs to become the adult he was meant to be.

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Now don’t get me wrong. Having a strong relationship with your teen is critically important. But sometimes we take it to an unhealthy extreme.

Even though parents know the value of discipline, many of us have a hard time actually following through. We’re worried about retaliation. Or breaking our friendship.

Proverbs 29:17 says, “Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.”

Think of it this way. Over his lifespan, 80% of your son’s life will be spent away from home. And he’s counting on you to prepare him for the demands of adulthood.

Mom, Dad, your son doesn’t need another friend. Your son needs a parent. So do the hard thing. In the end, you’ll be pleased with the outcome. “Discipline your children, and they will give you peace.”

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.

According to a recent study, close to 60% of our kids quit going to church after age fifteen.

So what’s the reason behind this mass exodus? Well, I’m sad to hear that many teens see the church as judgmental and irrelevant. To many, the church looks like an elite country club, and those who don’t fit the mold are denied acceptance.

Furthermore, kids who struggle often feel alienated at church. And left with a deep sense of shame. Of course, we know these views are skewed. But before we rush to judgment, let’s make sure we have open conversations with our teens about the value of church.

Together, as adults, let’s make sure that church remains a safe place for our kids to find acceptance, forgiveness, and love. They need it. And so do we!

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 do you handle those inevitable moments when your teen begins to doubt?

From her earliest days, you convince your little girl that she can accomplish anything. Opportunities are limitless. And the world is her oyster.

But as kids move from childhood to adolescence, they naturally become introspective and insecure. And sometimes her private thoughts get a little dark, like, “Why am I here? And what’s my purpose?”

So if your teen starts posing these daunting life questions, don’t panic! This search for meaning is one of the most empowering stages your teenager will ever go through. Help her uncover her talents, strengths, and passions, as she embarks on a lifelong quest for purpose.

Self-confidence rarely comes without a season of self-doubt. Mom, dad, don’t rescue your daughter. Instead, help her through it.

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We’re witnessing a generation of teens who’ve become addicted to their personal rights!

More and more kids today believe they’re entitled to anything and everything. They want more, demand more, and expect more than any other generation. So how do you keep your teen from thinkin’ he rules the world?

First, you need to quit feeding his world view! Stop doing everything for your teen. Quit jumping every time she says “frog.” Instead, tell him that it’s time to start doing things for himself. Let him wash his own laundry for a change. Or cook a meal for the whole family.

Your teen may roll his eyes. Your daughter may throw a fit. But if you stick your guns, your child will slowly understand the world order. The universe does not spin under their control!

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.