Parenting Today’s Teens

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: Parents of teens are constantly trying to find effective ways to discipline… without crossing inappropriate boundaries.  When is discipline and punishment too much? I recently heard a quote from Chuck Swindoll about the difference between good and bad discipline in the home.  He said, “Abuse is unfair and shocking.  Appropriate discipline is fair and expected.  Abuse is degrading and demoralizing to the child.  Appropriate discipline upholds the dignity and the value of each one.” I wholeheartedly agree. When you discipline your teen, be sure you’re acting out of love, not anger.  Resolve to set boundaries and consequences ahead of time.  And uphold the dignity of your teen… even as you discipline!  Some day, they’ll thank you!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: If you have a teen living at home, you probably remember that day when your child went from thinking you could do no wrong… to thinking you could do no right! As your child grows, his or her perception of you will change.  Your son will begin to point out the flaws in your life.  Your daughter will make comments about hypocrisy she sees… and how to fix it. Oh, man, this is when every parent needs an extra measure of grace!  Take what’s true in your child’s statement… and let the rest roll off your back. Begin seeing your child as a young emerging adult… a thinking, growing, independent person.  Continue to treat them with respect.  And trust God to grow your son or daughter through this critical stage!   ©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: To successfully navigate the world outside the home, every teenager needs to develop essential leadership qualities.  So this week on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston sits down to offer some practical ways to instill those characteristics in your child.  Help bring out your teenager’s inner leader … today on Parenting Today’s Teens! Special Guest: David Thomas ©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 like to be in control?  Especially when it comes to your family? Moms and dads like to orchestrate every detail of their family’s life.  From shaping the character of their child, to playing soccer and baseball… attending church… and handling money.  We think it’s our job to premeditate every moment of the day …and keep a tight rein on our kids. But the death- grip many parents place on their teens only accomplishes two things.  It chokes out the spirit within their kids.  You can literally watch the sparkle go out of their eyes.  And it also pushes God out of the parents’ lives, as well! Mom, Dad …do you have a problem with control?  It’s time to loosen the grip… trust God… and allow breathing room in your family!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: Recently I met a mom and dad who were churning over their daughter.  This innocent little girl woke up one morning a radically different person.  Instead of compliant and kind, she was rude …and risky. I listened to these concerned parents and realized that their daughter’s behavior had stirred up a bunch of their own insecurities.  They took her failures personally.  They felt like her actions made mom and dad look bad.  And they reacted accordingly. As a parent, I get that.  But let me remind you …parenting is not measured by what you do, but by who you are. When the teen years hit, forget about who’s watching you, forget about your performance… just focus on your child.  In the long run, your son or daughter is all that matters!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: If you grew up in a different city than your extended relatives… you know that awkward moment when aunts and uncles gush over how much you’ve grown. When Grandma and Grandpa haven’t seen the kids in a long time, they appear to be so much taller.  But for Mom and Dad… it’s harder to see the incremental growth. What’s true in a physical sense is also true emotionally.  Many times it’s hard to see the maturity and character changes taking place in our sons and daughters when we’re together every day. But, Mom and Dad, take a step back.  Think about the internal changes in your teen over the last year.  Then talk about them, celebrate them, and yes, gush a little! Be sure to celebrate the incremental signs of growth! ©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 the time of year when graduates walk across the stage.  It may only be a few steps long, but it symbolizes a whole new journey! If you have a graduate in your home, you’re facing all sorts of changes.  Maybe it’s that first trip to drop a daughter off at college.  Or maybe your son enlisted in the armed forces.  Maybe your kids are staying home and working full time.  Whatever your situation… there are big changes coming. So be ready!  Look for new ways to engage in your kid’s new ventures.  Consider yourself a coach or cheerleader along their way.  And get to know your son or daughter at a whole new level. Take this graduation season as a gift!  There’s a great new journey ahead!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: At this time of year in east Texas, the weeds are growin’ like crazy!  And their roots go down about twelve feet, it seems! So, what do weeds and their roots have to do with your teen?  Well, when the ugly attitude of disrespect shows up … you’ve gotta get beneath the surface and yank out the roots. Mom and Dad, remain persistent about calling out disrespect… and making consequences for lousy attitudes.  Don’t be a peace-at-any-price parent!  Insults and cheap-shots have no place in your home. Bad habits, bad attitudes, don’t disappear on their own.  When disrespect starts blooming in your home … do some weeding!  Over time and with lots of care, the weeds will disappear … and the flowers will return once again.   ©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: It’s that time of year when graduates walk across the stage, grab their diploma, and enter into a whole new stage of life.  But that transition requires grace and patience on the part of parents and students alike. On Parenting Today’s Teens Mark Gregston provides helpful advice for parents of graduates, pre-graduates, or those looking towards the future.  Learn how to take that next step with your child, on Parenting Today’s Teens with Mark Gregston! Special Guest: Leah O’Brien-Amico ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

Click To Hear Podcast via iTunes herePODCAST SCRIPT: I’ve always thought that parents need to spend less time trying to control their teens… and more time helping them develop responsibility and maturity. I’ve watched dads spend years trying to gain control of their teens and end up losing it anyway.  In the process… they also lose their relationship with their kids. I’ve seen moms so fearful that their kids might do something wrong that they develop an unhealthy attachment.  And they’re unwilling to detach. In order for children to become healthy adults, they’ll have to become independent from mom and dad.  And parents have the power to build an environment where that’s possible. So mom, dad …exercise your skill of letting go.  Empower your kids to blossom into healthy, responsible, independent adults.   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: One of the great mistakes many parents make is not establishing a belief system when their kids are young.  Such a system is crucial if your home is to operate effectively. A belief system includes a list of your convictions, a set of rules for how your family will function based on your beliefs… and consequences for breaking those rules.  Such a system should provide you with a relational policy and procedure manual for your home. There’s no better model, of course, than the precepts found in the Bible.  And you must adopt biblical principles as your own …in order to lead your family in truth and grace. And… if your kids are beyond adolescence… don’t worry.  It’s never too late to start!  Create an atmosphere in you home where relationships can flourish!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: Few things are more difficult than dealing with a struggling teen.  And the stress of coping with a teen can put incredible pressure on mom and dad’s marriage! I’ve seen marriages disintegrate because of the stress of raising teens.  On the other hand, I’ve seen husbands and wives draw closer because of their common goal. Whatever the case in your household… I’d challenge you to put concentrated effort into cultivating your marriage.  Identify how your teen’s out- of- control behavior might be specifically damaging your relationship. Determine to handle the journey together… instead of separately.  Don’t allow your teen to divide you.  And refrain from blaming each other for your teen’s problems.  Hang in there!  It won’t be long before your teen becomes an adult… and finally says, “thank you.”   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: Ever tried to teach a frog to fly?  Well, good luck.  It doesn’t usually end very well. Sometimes parents have goals and dreams for their children that don’t quite match what the kids were made for.  It’s like mom and dad are dealing with a frog… and they keep tryin’ to make him fly!  Well, as much as they coach, lecture, prod and force him to practice… that frog will never sprout wings.  He’ll stink at flying.  Hopping, maybe … but he’ll never soar. Instead of trying to turn your frog into a mediocre bird… work at something he’ll enjoy …and something that’ll ensure his success.  Mom… Dad… let go of some of that self- induced stress.  Reevaluate what your teen is created to do.  Then… become his biggest fan.   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)PODCAST SCRIPT: What if my kid’s behavior is driving me nuts?  That was a question posed to me some time ago by a frantic parent. This particular mom was dealing with a teen who was extremely selfish, didn’t respect authority, expressed anger, had Attention Deficit Disorder and constantly blamed others for his behavior.  Sounds like a handful, doesn’t he? Well, I would tell any parent with a struggling teen the same thing I told this particular mom.  Resist the tendency to lump everything together into one huge and overwhelming mess.  It compounds his belief that things will never get better! Instead, stick to what you believe.  Stand firm in your rules and consequences.  Keep your cool.  And know that you will get to the other side of this.  There is hope!   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.

(Click title to listen)HALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY: One minute your daughter is a sweet and innocent princess.  But the next minute, she can act like a fire-breathing dragon!  What’s a mom or dad to do?  On Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston provides keen insight into the development of a teen girl.  Keys to helping your daughter become the woman you know she can be… today on Parenting Today’s Teens! Special Guest:  Melody Rhode   ©2013 Mark Gregston www.parentingtodaysteens.org. Email: markgregston@heartlightministries.org. Phone: 1-866-700-3264Also, listen via iTunes here.