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Parenting Today’s Teens — Kids & Family
Parenting Today’s Teens

The Parenting Today’s Teens Podcast is a daily resource for parents raising teenagers. Hosted by Mark Gregston, a renowned parenting expert with over 45 years of experience, this podcast provides practical, expert advice for navigating the challenges of parenting teens. Whether you’re struggling with defiance, emotional issues, or just want to understand your teen better, Mark’s guidance is raw, real, and always hopeful.

Some episodes are co-hosted by Courtney LaFleur, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and on-staff counselor at Heartlight, adding professional counseling insights to the conversation. Together, Mark and Courtney provide expert tips and real-life solutions to help you build stronger relationships with your teen and navigate the complexities of today’s adolescent culture.

If you’re looking for guidance on how to connect with your teen, improve family dynamics, and raise a confident, well-adjusted teen, this podcast is for you.

For more parenting tools and expert advice, visit www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.

Copyright: © Mark Gregston

Latest Episodes:

Love the Most When It's Deserved the Least Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

Most teens, at their core, just want to know there is no mistake they could make that would cause their parents to love them less. Mark Gregston is joined by Wayne Shepherd to discuss why it is SO important for you to communicate unconditional love to your teen. So many things in today's culture are conditional or performance-based — the integrity of your relationship with your child shouldn't be. Tune in for this great discussion!

Looking for more insight on how to genuinely connect with your teen? Check out Mark's article, "Navigating Your Teen's Universe," at bit.ly/3cQhgqr

Give Your Kids Permission to Be Imperfect Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

One of the fastest ways to damage your relationship with your teen is to constantly demand perfection or place unreasonable expectations on them — you may have great intentions, but it could leave your teen feeling as if they'll never be good enough. Mark Gregston recounts his personal experience with someone who demanded perfection along with some comments from Heartlight teens who share what it's like to have constant pressure from parents. Tune in now!

Moms, you have a tough job! That's why the carry-along "Prayers for My Teen" devotional was created just for you. Check it out here: bit.ly/3EpPSJP

Can Change Be Sustainable? Aug 09, 2022

Show notes

On today's episode, Mark Gregston sits down with a couple of Heartlight teens, including Emily, who is just about to graduate from the residential counseling program. When Emily first arrived at Heartlight, she struggled deeply with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and more, but in the months she spent on campus, she learned to love herself again. Tune in to hear how she plans to tackle her future after returning home!

Do you have a teen caught in a downward spiral? Check out Mark's book, "When Your Teen is Struggling," for help! Order your copy here: bit.ly/3QHC7Mn

Parents, Learn to Start Saying "No" Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

Doing everything for your children when they're little is totally acceptable — but when they become teens, continuing to attend to their every need will only enable their selfishness. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about the steps you can take to model selflessness for your kids and ensure they don't grow up to be self-centered adults. Don't miss this important topic!

For more on how to help guide your teen toward healthy independence, read Mark's article, "Balanced Parenting," at bit.ly/3D3zUUW

Pick Your Battles Wisely Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

Today's teens are living in a culture that is often vile and full of demeaning language, and not surprisingly, this is reflected in today's popular music. So if your teen is listening to music you don't approve of, should you put a stop to it? Is it a battle worth fighting? In this episode, Mark Gregston addresses this question, along with several others, including how to separate mental health issues from behavioral problems, what to do when your child refuses to talk to you and more!

Have a parenting problem you'd like to ask Mark about? Submit your question here: bit.ly/3NzKC9K

For more insight on how to guide your teen through today's culture, download Mark's e-book, "When Your Teen Is Struggling," at heartlightministries.org/when-your-teen-is-struggling-offer/

Grandparents, What Do You Want to Be Known For? Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

If you're a grandparent — or will become one someday — you'll need to examine your relationship with your grandkids and what impression you are leaving upon their hearts. You have wisdom they desperately need, but if you are constantly nitpicking or making your grandkids feel judged, they won't be open to receiving it. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd chat about how you can have a flourishing relationship with your grandchildren. Listen in for some great advice!

Looking for more insights on how to be the best grandparent you can be? Order Mark's book, "Grandparenting Teens," at bit.ly/3hLNliC

The Key to Connection: Listen More, Talk Less Aug 03, 2022

Show notes

How well do you truly know your children? Do you spend time listening to them at the dinner table? Or is that time simply spent lecturing your teen? In this devotional, Mark Gregston shares the importance of sitting down and asking your teens genuine, well-intentioned questions about their lives and interests — and NOT immediately sharing your opinions. Listen in for more advice on how to build trust with your teen!

For more resources that will help you create a healthy and respectful relationship with your child, check out the Parenting Today's Teens store: resources.parentingtodaysteens.org/

Helping Teens Work Through Grief Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

When teens push down deep wounds, such as grief and low self-worth, those repressed emotions will eventually explode — often in very unhealthy ways. In this episode, Mark Gregston chats with a couple of teens who are Heartlight residents, including one young lady who lost her father in a brutally traumatic way and struggled to process her grief and heartbreak on her own. At Heartlight, she was able to transform her pain and anger into hope, so don't miss her story!

For more insight on why your teen might be acting out, read Mark's article, "Misbehavior Can Be Sparked By Loss," at bit.ly/3RLEkGZ

Making the Best of the School Year Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

As the back-to-school season rapidly approaches, your teen might be nervous about returning to the pressures of middle school or high school. So how can you, as a parent, help shift their gaze away from what could go wrong and focus on the positives instead? Mark Gregston is joined by Wayne Shepherd to share advice for parents on how to come alongside their kids and help them make this the best school year yet. Tune in for their insights!

Need some more encouragement on this topic? Download Mark's FREE e-book, "4 Fears of Parents During the School Year," at bit.ly/3cteI1B

Figuring Out a Teen's Spiritual Love Language Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

So, your teen has declared they no longer want to go to church — what now?! In this episode, Mark Gregston sits down to answer some tough questions, including what a parent's response should be when their teen decides they don't believe in God or they hate attending church. It might be time to examine whether your child's God-given gifts are actually being nurtured in your church, or if they feel like they've been pushed away. Don't miss this important discussion!

Have your own parenting question for Mark? Ask it here: bit.ly/3NzKC9K

For more on how to help your child as they wrestle with their faith, visit parentingtodaysteens.org/blog/category/faith/

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