Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss the importance of preparing your children for adulthood before they reach their late teens. Parents should gradually give their children responsibility — encouraging jobs, decision-making and independence — so they don’t become dependent adults living at home without purpose. Mark warns that too much provision can quickly turn into enabling if parents continue to do everything for their kids, which keeps them from developing life skills. Instead, parents must set expectations, create boundaries and guide their teens toward maturity so they are ready to thrive on their own.

Join Mark in Texas for a weekend at his Families in Crisis Conference, designed to help parents who are struggling with their teens. Visit familycrisisretreat.com to learn more and register!

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org.