Parenting Today’s Teens

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes hereHALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY: Whether it’s a selfish attitude, a lack of respect, or dishonest behavior … many of the actions of our teens can get our blood boiling!  Today on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston talks to aggravated parents about dealing with those teen issues that leave us fuming.  Take a deep breath and listen in … today on Parenting Today’s Teens! ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: There’s no feeling more desperate than watching your child spin out of control. Imagine a plane in a downward spiral.  The pilot can’t seem to pull out of the steep descent and the co-pilot can’t stop the chaos either.  They’re both assuming it’s all over, lights out, see ya. Well, in your family, your teen is the pilot … responsible for controlling his or her life.  And you, Mom or Dad, are the co-pilot.  But in this scenario, sometimes you feel completely helpless.  Your kid is accelerating toward earth and a disaster is only moments away. If you’re in that tailspin right now, don’t sit there and watch the crash happen.  Act on your instincts! Ask for help.  And stop at nothing until you find answers that’ll avert a devastating crash and get your family flying in clear skies once again. ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: When our kids grow up, when they leave the house, there’s a relational shift that needs to happen.  Parents often ask me … How do I relate to my adult child? Mom and Dad, when you have a twenty-something in your life, it’s time to take stock of the relationship.  Now’s the time to make a few changes.  Be sure to set aside time for your son or daughter.  You aren’t protecting them or disciplining them like before, but you’re still a primary source of wisdom and love! Then, be a servant to your kids, but don’t be a doormat.  Keep your boundaries! And finally, pray for your child daily.  Go to God on his or her behalf, and let your needs be known! Parenting children never really ends.  It just changes.   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: It’s easy to love someone when they agree with you … and difficult when they don’t. Remember those days when your toddler or grade school kid wanted to please you?  Those were the days, weren’t they?  But then, something happened.  That cute kid became a jumbled up, disagreeable, emotional mess.  And all of a sudden … it isn’t so easy to love them any more. If you have a teen or pre-teen living in your home, I want to remind you that no matter how bad things get, your child needs unconditional love.  When it’s easy.  And when it’s not. If your child feels there’s something they could do to lose your love, be very clear right now … about how you love her or him without condition!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: Think about the latest conversation you’ve had with your kids.  What did you talk about? If the average mom or dad were to catalogue the conversations they had with their teen, it would be surprising how the talks are both infrequent and of little substance. I know, you’re probably thinking, But Mark!  I can’t get two words out of my kid.  I’m doing the best I can!  I know you are… and I’m glad you’re making an effort.  How about setting aside a regular time each week to talk about deeper life issues?  There doesn’t have to be any talk about chores or grades or cleaning up his room.  Just ask open- ended questions. You might be surprised how much the frequency and quality of your conversation improves!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: Remember as a kid, your mom or dad would say, “I told you so!”  If you’re like me, it probably didn’t inspire warm fuzzies in your relationship, did it? When you made mistakes, you didn’t want to hear your mom or dad rub it in.  And your kids don’t wanna feel shame from you when they make mistakes either.  When they’ve messed up, beware of using comments like … “You should have listened.” “I hope you learned your lesson.” Or… “I told you so.” You don’t have to shame your kids… they already know they made a mistake.  Instead, stay quiet.  Let the consequences teach the lesson and continue to love your child through the entire situation. Hey, maybe you’ll be the one to break the generational saying … “I told you so!”   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes hereHALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY: While it might be a sensitive issue for an older generation, you can be sure homosexuality is a subject that your teen is talking about openly with friends and peers.  Today on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston gives helpful tools to discuss homosexuality with teens in a loving and truthful manner.  A timely conversation every parent needs to hear on Parenting Today’s Teens! Special Guest:  DeeDee Meyer ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: The New Testament records the story Jesus told about a young man who left home, took his inheritance and squandered it on anything he wanted.  We call him “the prodigal.” Maybe you have a prodigal in your home.  A son that’s wasteful, rude and greedy.  Or a little drama queen who can throw the entire family into a tailspin with her outbursts of selfishness.  These are prodigals who’ve never left the house!  Why?  Well, they’re too comfortable! If I’m describing your home… you may want to make a few changes.  Come up with a plan to move your prodigal into adulthood.  Help him or her grow up through boundaries, consequences and communication. In Jesus’ story, the prodigal grows up and comes home!  That’s my prayer for your teen, as well.   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: Do you have many battles in your home?  Are there bunkers built up throughout the house? You may find that the frequency and intensity of scuffles are increasing in your home.  If so, I’d encourage you to think about the hills you’re dying on.  Ask yourself a few questions: What issues have the greatest consequences? What battles, if you lose, will also cause you to sacrifice a relationship? And… What battles will eventually pass? Once you’ve answered these questions… adjust what you fight back about.  Reevaluate what’s really important to you. Mom, dad, choose your battles carefully.  Don’t pounce on every little mistake.  On the essential non-negotiable stuff …don’t budge one inch!  On the non-essentials …show a little grace and mercy.   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: Let me ask you a question.  How did you learn to forgive? It’s not something most of us think about.  But I’d wager that you weren’t taught to forgive… you just “caught” it from your parents.  You learned by their actions what it meant to forgive and forget.  The sad part is… if they held grudges… you most likely do, too. Forgiveness isn’t easy.  In fact it’s impossible without God’s help.  And when you’re hurt by someone— especially your children— it’s tempting to hold back love.  The problem here is that you’re teaching your kids two things:  first, they’re only lovable when they don’t mess up… and second, that they’ll treat their own kids like that. So break the cycle.  Trust God and offer forgiveness!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: Look back at previous generations, and you’ll see people who worked hard to meet their basic needs.  Fast-forward to today’s teens… and you find almost the exact opposite. Generally speaking, today’s generation of young adults are some of the most entitled and irresponsible people on the planet.  They stay immature long into their twenties, they treat people disrespectfully, and they basically refuse to grow up.  All their basic needs are met… so why change? Well, as long as parents are willing to serve everything up on a silver platter for their kid, they unintentionally postpone the development of their teen! Are you looking to infuse some independence and maturity?  Try holding back on a few things… and let your children stretch their muscles to fulfill their own desires.   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes hereHALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY: When it comes to how God parents His kids, we say “it’s not about the rules … it’s about the relationship.”  And the same goes for how we should parent our teens!  On this edition of Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston proves the importance of a healthy relationship with your child and how to create that type of strong connection.  Fostering a lasting bond with your teen on this edition of Parenting Today’s Teens. Special Guest:  Reba Bowman ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: Like you, I know many families who’ve experienced divorce and remarriage.  I know kids who’ve been adopted.  And I know kids who are still healing from a splintered relationship with mom or dad. If you have a blended family or perhaps one of your kids is adopted, it’s important to remember that people don’t heal overnight.  A relational upheaval will create scars on a child’s heart that can’t be ignored. It doesn’t mean that blended families or adoption aren’t a gift from God!  They just take special care.  Regardless of how good things are, your child may experience grief because of a lost relationship.  And that’s okay. Remember that God is grafting together a new and beautiful family right now… that can become an infinite source of healing and joy.  But healing takes time!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: Whose side are you on?  I mean, when it comes to family dynamics… are you for your kids?  Or against them? So, mom and dad, you’ve established rules.  You’ve agreed up on consequences and communicated the expectations to your kids.  Good.  But what have you done recently to communicate that you’re all on the same team? Sometimes it’s good to give your child something you’ve withheld for a long time.  It’ll show her that you are for her, not against her.  Surprise your child… and she might just surprise you with her response! Remember… we’re all working toward the same goal— to end up with a well rounded, independent young adult.  That’s how everybody wins!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: Whether you’ve talked about it in your family or not, you certainly live by them!  So… what are the behavior policies in your home? Mom, dad, take time to list the ten most important issues in your home… the top things that you’re willing to build rules around.  Then build a family policy around each.  Here’s a sample list from my home: Disrespect Dishonesty Alcohol Or inappropriate Internet activity They might be different for your home… but the point is … you need to think about, write down, and communicate your non-negotiable issues.  Then …decide what the consequences will be if your child crosses the line. Clear boundaries will curtail lots of grief in the future.  And …clarity in your convictions will help your child develop boundaries of his or her own.   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264