Parenting Today's Teens

Watching your teen spin out of control is hard. It’s painful. But it’s even worse when it places undue stress on your marriage as well.

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

A family crisis will amplify whatever tension exists between a husband and wife. The pressure builds and builds until it becomes overwhelming … and the temporary hardship destroys their lifetime relationship. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Remember, when you and your spouse got married, you promised to love each other in sickness and in health … for richer or for poorer … for better or for worse. So if you’re in the “worse” part right now, don’t give up!

Hold on. Stay the course. And never lose sight of the other side of the struggle. This, too, shall pass.

Adam was a good kid who came from a Christian home. But when he transformed into a disrespectful, dishonest, and rebellious teen, his parents turned to me for help.

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

When I sat down to talk with Adam, this is what he told me:

He was only allowed to watch G- rated movies. He couldn’t wear t-shirts with any insignia of any kind. He couldn’t go out during the week, unless it was for church. He was only allowed to listen to Christian music. And this kid was seventeen years old!

Now, Adam’s parents had good intentions. They followed their protective instincts. But their rigid boundaries actually drove their son to rebellion.

Are you trying to shield your teen from danger? Train him for the world in which he’ll live … not the world you wish he could live in!

When teens step out of line, I always encourage parents to uncover the real reason behind their behavior. But in certain circumstances, it’s possible they’re dealing with a good ol’ case of rebellion.

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

If you truly have a rebellious teen on your hands, here’s my encouragement: God has not abandoned you! Even when you don’t see it, He’s at work. And in due time, God’s gonna use everything that’s happening in the life of your teen to bring him or her to a better place.

Now, it’s the “due time” part that’s the kicker for us. It could be a month, or it could be twenty years. But however long it takes, don’t underestimate God’s continual involvement in your situation. He hasn’t left you or your teen … and He never will.

As teens strike out on their own, it’s easy for them to get lost in bad decisions. And unless parents reach out in a loving and nonjudgmental way, they may never find their way back home.

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

The reality is that many of our sons and daughters will get lost. They’ll make a wrong turn. It’ll get too dark out. Or they’ll get curious about what’s down another road. Chances are, you remember what it’s like to get lost, too.

So when your teen calls for help, what will you say? “What do you mean you’re lost?!” … Or, “Sit tight and I’ll come get you?”

Don’t turn your back on your teen in their time of greatest need. Instead, reach out with love and compassion … and be willing to do whatever it takes to bring them home.

Most parents really do have worthwhile advice to offer their teens … but sometimes, they mess up in the delivery.

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

The key to offering constructive criticism is to deliver your message at the right time, in the right way, and with the right motives. Sound tricky? Listen to these tips …

First, wait for your teen to ask for your opinion before sharing it.

Second, give feedback on their behavior and choices, not their person.

And third, make sure your words are intended to meet their needs, not your own.

Proverbs 25:11 says that “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” And constructive comments given at the right time, in the right way, and with the right motives can become a powerful tool for helping your teen grow up.

What do you do when your teen loses the desire to do well in school or participate in things he once enjoyed?

What about when he stops going to church or doesn’t want to hang out with his friends?

This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston helps parents uncover the reason behind their teen’s troubling behavior.

Whenever your car’s “Check Engine” light comes on, it’s usually accompanied by that sinking feeling you get in the pit of your stomach.

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

Sometimes, the engine light means you need a costly repair. Other times, it’s just a minor glitch. But until you take your car in, you live in a shroud of mystery. Could be big. Could be small.

A teen’s inappropriate behavior works the same way. It’s a device for getting your attention. And your task as a parent is to understand the motivation behind the actions.

Is your teen acting out? Bad behavior is like the engine light in your car. So don’t get distracted by what you see. Instead, look deeper into your teen’s life … and get started on making the repair.

Remember the old Star Trek TV shows? Back then … the gadgets they used seemed so futuristic and far-fetched. But today, we’re using technology that would even blow Scotty’s mind!

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

Facebook Messenger, Skype, Google Hangouts, Facetime … teenagers have more ways to communicate than ever before. But they’re finding it increasingly difficult to connect in their relationships.

That’s because all this new communication stuff gets in the way, and kids aren’t developing the old- fashioned tools we learned for having real conversations. We’ve all seen it happen … a group of teens sitting in the same room texting each other … rather than talking!

Has technology become your teen’s only mode of communication? Help them put down the mobile device … and practice some good ol’ real- life social interaction.

If you or one of your kids has ever played on a sports team, then you know how much work this “recreational activity” can be.

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

In a way, raising a family is a lot like training for a sport. You have to get up early for practice. You go through the same grueling workout every day. And by the end, you feel mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted.

Now, don’t get me wrong. Kids can lead to some of the most joyful moments in life. But you’re training for the win … for the victory on the other side of the test. And hardship is part of the package deal.

So if your son or daughter is struggling right now … don’t back down. This is exactly what you’ve been training for!

Time for a pop quiz: Children need to be corrected every time they make a mistake. True or false?

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

[buzzing sound] False!

Kids mess up all the time. And when they’re young, it’s appropriate for parents to correct and inform them. But as they become adults, it’s better to take a step back and let their own choices, good or bad, speak for themselves.

Hey, I know how hard it is to stand on the sidelines while your teen makes a bad decision. But a day comes when they realize the values you instilled in them are like seeds in fresh soil.

Look at it this way: If you till the earth all the time, you’ll never get a harvest. At some point, you need to step back … and let the seeds you’ve sown grow.