Parenting Today's Teens

Your teen is surrounded by voices competing for their attention, but what are they really looking for from you? In this episode, Mark explores how today’s culture of negativity, self-proclaimed experts and social media fantasy can make it difficult for teens to separate information from wisdom and truth from opinion. He explains why constant criticism can leave teens emotionally exhausted, while shallow affirmation can keep them from facing the truth they need to grow. Mark encourages parents to fill that gap by building the kind of relationship that allows them to speak truth in love — offering honesty without constant negativity, wisdom without acting like a know-it-all and encouragement grounded in reality. Listen in and discover how you can become a positive, trustworthy voice your teen will turn to when the rest of the world feels like noise.

One of the most common questions Mark gets from parents is, “How old should my child be when I give them a cell phone?” His answer usually surprises them. Find out more at parentingtodaysteens.org/articles/q-a-on-cell-phones

When teens spiral out — experimenting with drugs, running with the wrong crowd or shutting out family — there’s almost always a deeper hurt they’re trying to escape. On today’s show, we share Mark's interviews with two Heartlight residents who bravely discussed how their choices were just attempts to numb what they felt inside, like abandonment, overwhelming expectations and tragic loss. Both teens worked hard to face the pain they once pushed away. Listen as they unpack the pressure to be "perfect," the loneliness that fueled their mistakes and how facing their emotions at Heartlight helped them reconnect with their families — and themselves.

Could Heartlight help your struggling teen? Learn more at heartlightministries.org

How can you tell when typical teenage struggles have become something more serious? Mark and Wayne discuss the warning signs that a teen may be spinning out of control — from escalating rebellion, dishonesty and disregard for consequences to isolation, substance use, self-harm and other dangerous behaviors. Mark also shares practical steps parents can take to intervene, establish healthier boundaries and recognize when it’s time to seek outside help. You’ll also hear a candid conversation with a Heartlight teen, who shares how drinking, drugs and unhealthy relationships gradually took priority in her life. Addressing the deeper reasons behind her choices helped her begin rebuilding her relationship with her parents. Tune in to learn how to recognize a teen’s cry for help and step in before a downward spiral becomes a crisis.

Learn to address the pain behind your teen's behavior at bit.ly/the-hurt-behind-your-teens-behavior

In this week’s Q&A episode, Mark tackles questions spanning nearly every stage of the teen years and beyond. How can grandparents build stronger relationships with their grandkids? Is it too late to shift from teaching to training once your child leaves for college? Do busy teens really need jobs? And what happens when Mom and Dad disagree about how to parent? Mark also addresses how grandparents can support teens caught in the middle of divorce, why parents should stay relational when an adult child makes choices they disagree with and what one mom should do about her 11-year-old’s growing obsession with K-pop band BTS.

What’s on your mind about parenting your teen? Send Mark your question at markgregston.com — it could be featured in an upcoming episode!

How do you know when your teen’s struggles have reached the point where your family needs outside help? Mark, Wayne and Courtney discuss when residential counseling may be appropriate — and why lasting change requires more than simply correcting behavior. They explain how a relationship-based approach can help teens address the deeper issues driving their choices while helping restore relationships throughout the family. You’ll also hear from Heartlight teen Jack, who shares how counseling, vulnerability and his parents’ willingness to grow alongside him transformed their relationship. Listen in for practical guidance on recognizing when your teen needs additional help and choosing a path toward healing for the whole family.

Find out the 12 warning signs your teen may need a residential counseling program at heartlightministries.org

You want the best for your teen. But could your encouragement and high expectations be sending the message that they aren't good enough? Mark explores how well-meaning parents can unintentionally create a culture of perfection at home. He shares why teens may interpret guidance as judgment, standards as impossible expectations and correction as evidence that they’ll never measure up. Mark encourages parents to trade perfection for authenticity — admitting their own mistakes, making room for struggle, and assuring their teens that love isn’t based on appearance or performance. Listen in for a powerful reminder that grace and genuine connection can give your teen something perfection never will: a safe place to grow.

You may be signaling perfectionism to your teen without knowing it. In this article, Mark exposes why demanding perfection backfires: bit.ly/3-ways-to-let-your-teen-be-imperfect

If you've ever wondered why a teen seems to pull away, sometimes the rules and consequences meant to help can actually drive a wedge. In today's episode, Mark sits down with two teens from Heartlight, Austin and Kennedy, who share candid stories about how discipline in their homes went from well-intentioned to relationship-breaking. Both teens open up about how strict systems, misunderstandings, and a lack of real connection pushed them toward anger and isolation. At Heartlight, they're learning just how much healing can happen when discipline takes a back seat to building genuine relationships.

Interested in learning more about the Heartlight program? Visit heartlightministries.org today!

Adoption can give a child a loving family and a place to belong, but the teen years may bring difficult questions about identity, loss and acceptance to the surface. In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Courtney explore some of the unique struggles adopted teens may experience as they begin thinking more deeply about their past and wondering where they fit. Mark encourages parents to listen without assuming they understand, see life from their teen’s perspective, and remain a steady source of connection and love. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who shares how feelings of being unwanted affected her self-worth, friendships and choices — and how greater understanding is helping strengthen her relationship with her parents. Listen in for compassionate, practical encouragement for walking alongside an adopted teen through the challenges of adolescence.

Thinking of adopting a child? Mark offers some food for thought here: bit.ly/things-to-consider-when-adopting

In this week’s Q&A episode, Mark dives into some more common challenges parents are facing with their teens today. From navigating the difference between sarcasm and disrespect to supporting kids through anxiety, depression and OCD — no topic is off limits. Mark addresses questions about parenting through divorce, rebuilding trust when teens habitually lie and how to create clear boundaries without losing connection. Full of relatable stories and down-to-earth advice, this episode is packed with practical ways to encourage honesty, set realistic expectations and keep relationships strong during the turbulent teen years.

Have a question for a future episode? Go to markgregston.com to send it in!

Every teen wants to feel seen, valued and noticed. But what happens when they start looking for that attention in unhealthy places? Mark and Wayne explore what can be behind attention-seeking behavior and why parents should look beyond the behavior to understand what their teen is really longing for. Mark shares practical ways to offer meaningful attention, set healthy boundaries and strengthen connection. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who candidly shares how her desire for acceptance and affirmation contributed to a painful series of choices — and what she has since learned about the relationships that truly matter.

Sometimes your teen acts out to get attention. Sometimes it may be something you, as a parent, are doing. Learn more here at bit.ly/tipping-points-in-relationships-with-teens