Sometimes, giving discipline can be just as hard—if not harder—than receiving it.

Even though we as parents know the importance and value of discipline, many of us have a hard time actually following through with it when our teen steps out of line. We’re worried about the potential retaliation, or are too concerned about being “friends” with our teens.

Of course there’s times for grace. But we can’t be afraid to let our children face the consequences of their actions. These are moments that will form them into mature, independent adults.

Remember, Proverbs 3:12 says, “The Lord disciplines those he loves” Like our heavenly Father, we should discipline our own sons and daughters, whom we love.

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.

Guest: Jessie Minassian

You’ve probably heard of the five love languages. But have you ever thought about how to apply them outside of your marriage? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston shares several ways that parents can show their teens how much they’re loved.

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.

Divorce is certainly a difficult process for Mom and Dad, but children go through more than their fair share of struggle as well.

Teens who have experienced divorce in their family sometimes feel isolated and left behind. Younger kids are resilient, and can cope more easily. But teens—especially the older ones—may feel betrayed and disconnected.

To help counter these feelings of isolation, make every effort to include your teen in everything, even to the point of over-including them. Invite them into your discussions and decisions, even if it’s not really necessary.

This is a critical time in your relationship with your teen. Keep it in tact with an extra dose of love and attention.

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.

A teen spiraling out of control can add tension to every aspect of life, including your marriage.

Here’s a fact: a troubled teen will add a heap of stress to any marital relationship. The key, then, is preventing that hardship from jeopardizing, and destroying your marriage.

If things are getting harder than you expected, don’t forget the mentality you and your spouse had at the very beginning: parenting is a team sport—and you two are on the same team! When you first chose to have children, you knew you were not signing up for an easy journey.

Finally, remember your shared goal. Keep your gaze focused on the other side of the struggle, all seasons eventually pass, and this one will too.

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 something every parent of a teen needs to know: Your kids can smell a hypocrite a mile away!

Nobody’s perfect, of course. But there’s a need for authenticity in our parenting like never before. Especially when it comes to our faith.

More than anything else, teens want to see if their parents live out what they say they believe. They watch when we’re angry, dishonest, or disrespectful. But they also notice when we’re loving, peaceful, and walking with integrity.

Have you messed up in the past? Don’t be afraid to admit it. Let your teen know that God is still working in you as well. But do your best to live out your faith that you’re preaching!

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 had a place a dollar amount on your teen, what would it be?

Okay, that was a rhetorical question. The thought of placing monetary value on our son or daughter is ridiculous, because it’s downright impossible! They’re more valuable to us than all of the money in the world combined.

That may be a no-brainer from our perspective, but our teens might not arrive as quickly at the same conclusion. When we focus too much on giving correction and discipline, it’s easy to forgot about showing love as well.

Our kids need to know that no matter how many times they mess up, we love them no matter what and wouldn’t trade them for the world.

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 you’re talking with someone, can you tell when they’re really listening to you, and when they’re just nodding their heading and saying, “Uh-huh?”

There are certain cues you pick up in a conversation that tell you if someone is paying attention or not. They’re making eye contact. They’re asking clarifying questions. And if you can pick up on the subtle hints, you can bet your son or daughter picks up on them too!

The next time you’re talking with your teen, try giving them your complete, one-hundred-percent, undivided attention. That means phones off, inbox closed, TV blank. Don’t let distractions get in the way of a meaningful, one-on-one conversation with your son or daughter. Show them today that you’re paying attention.

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: Taylor

In many Christian families, homeschooling has become the preferred method for educating children. But not every homeschooled kid adapts to the world in a healthy way. This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston explains why some homeschool kids struggle—and what parents can do to help.

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.

Parents often ask me, “Mark, what can I do to improve my relationship with my teen?”

I want to give you three concrete things you can do this week to improve your relationship with your son or daughter.

Number one: Try thinking of yourself as a student of your teen. Find out his opinions, feelings, and thoughts on subjects.

Number two: Consider sharing something personal about yourself. It’s okay to let your child know that you are human and imperfect,.

Number three: Don’t judge your teen’s comments. Maybe they’re immature or dumb or flat-out wrong. But judgment is just going to make him retreat back into his shell.

Three things you can do this week to help improve your relationship with your teen.

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 have a hat full of tips to offer parents for building meaningful relationships with their teens. But in some situations, a teen will flat-out say that he just doesn’t want anything to do with his mom and dad.

Is your teen fighting against your every effort to connect?

It’s possible there’s a deep-rooted grudge left over from a painful fight or breach of trust. Try sitting down and confronting the issue face-to-face. Ask if there’s anything you can do to heal the relationship.

If your teen still shuts you down, remember this verse from First John 4:19: “We love, because he first loved us.” And as followers of His example, we should never give up on a relationship with our own children, either.

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.