If you open an old yearbook, you’ll probably get a good laugh from some of the clothes and hairstyles you find immortalized in there.

There’s a lot that’s different about being a teenager today, compared to when we were kids. But one thing never changes: our obsession with wacky, new fads. Back in the day, it was hot pants, ABBA, and feathered hair. Now, things like iPads, hipster glasses, and dubstep are the rage.

It’s true, some of today’s trends make no sense and drive us crazy, but let’s be honest, we probably drove our parents nuts with weird fashion crazes, too! The most important thing is that it doesn’t represent outright rebellion or immorality.

If not, I say, in the words of a famous rock-and-roll band, “Let it be.”

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Student Story: Katherine

Do conversations with your son or daughter generally revolve around schoolwork, chores, or negative behavior? It’s time to change things up and ask questions that get at the heart of your teen. Today on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston offers ten helpful tips for jumpstarting the conversation 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.

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase, “It has to get worse before it gets better.” Well parents, the same thing applies to raising teens!

Once I met with the parents of a girl named Angel. Despite her name, she was anything but angelic. Whenever her parents tried to talk to her, she’d pop in her earbuds, or start hurling verbal abuses.

Mom and Dad knew things needed to change—but they knew it was not going to be easy. When they first told Angel about their new expectations for her behavior, she tore their letter in half and stomped on it! But over the course of some difficult months, Angel slowly started to improve.

Sometimes, when disrespect is deep-rooted, things have to get worse before they get better. But stand firm, and don’t give up hope! Because one day, it will get better.

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.

Do you keep track of how your teen presents himself online?

Today, teens are using sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Tumblr to interact with each other online, and parents need to keep up with what their teens are doing!

Viewing pornography or downloading other harmful media is not the only way your child could be abusing the Internet—what he posts online has the potential to be just as dangerous. Sharing personal information, making threats, spreading lies, all of this is fair game in the world of social media.

Mom, Dad, before things get out of hand, discuss what sort of things are unacceptable to post online. “Friend” your teen on Facebook, keep an eye on his YouTube channel. And, most importantly, keep up the one-on-one conversation!

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, “How on earth can I get my teen to open up?”

Believe me, it is possible to get your teen talking, but you need a smart strategy to make it happen!

Why don’t you give this a try? Choose something that your teen likes to do, whether it’s taking pictures or skateboarding. Even if all you can do is stand on the side and video his tricks and stunts —hey, at least you’re doing it together.

Then, just be silent! Don’t try to force a conversation. Most teens find silence to be awkward, so to make things feel more comfortable, they feel obligated to start talking.

So the next time you want to get your teen to open up to you, go out and do something together and start listening!

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 you ever told your teen that she was born with two ears and one mouth for a reason?

That word-picture provides a colorful lesson about the importance of listening, but it’s a lesson that applies to parents, too! When moms and dads ask me how to have better communication with their teen, one thing I tell them is to stop talking, and start listening.

Now, being quiet isn’t the same thing as listening. It’s easy to be quiet but completely tune out at the same time!

So pay attention and really hear what your teen has to say. Today it might be a rant about something inconsequential, but when your teen believes that you truly care about what she’s saying, she’ll become more willing to share her deep concerns with 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.

Arguing with someone is never a fun thing to do, especially when that someone is your teenage son or daughter.

Parents tend to put a lot of effort into keeping peace in their home—rightly so! The problem comes when it comes by simply avoiding conflict. I like to remind parents that addressing conflict can be one of the most effective ways to bring about positive changes in your home. Here are a few tips for engaging in constructive conflict with your teen:

First, make sure your teen knows that you heard out his side of the argument—even if he still needs to follow your rules.

Then, tell your teen that it’s okay not to agree on everything.

Finally, make sure he knows that even though you disagree, you still—and will always—love him.

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: Austin

Do you remember the days when pinball machines were restricted to the 21-and-over crowd? Now, you can download apps on your smart phone designed for babies! This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston helps moms and dads navigate the rapidly changing world of video games.

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 was the last time you used a pager or got a letter in the mail?

It wasn’t so long ago that we communicated mostly by phone, or through face-to-face conversations. Advancements in technology, though, have changed that almost overnight and helped foster a generation of teens that do most of their talking through texting and Facebook.

If your teen is caught up in a world of digital friendships and virtual connection, then they’re missing out on the rewards of face-to-face friendship. It’s up to you to remind them what extended conversations look like, and how valuable those deep relationships really are.

So set the example by putting the cell phone down, and show your teen what it’s like to engage in genuine conversation.

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.

Many moms and dads start off with great plans of taking their kids to baseball games, teaching them how to cook, and so much more. But somewhere along the line, they lose sight of those dreams to spend time together.

Hey, I get it. Parents already have a lot on their plate, and the idea of making even one more commitment is daunting. But I deeply believe that it’s crucial for parents to schedule an intentional time to connect with their teen every week.

You could go out to eat, do an activity that both of you enjoy, or try something completely new! It doesn’t really matter what you do. But do something! Actions speak louder than words, and your teen will appreciate that you’re making your relationship a priority.

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.