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#2185 Sometimes a healthy pursuit can have unhealthy manifestations. Like trying to belong and fit in. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. When your teen seeks personal validation from peers… this isn’t inherently bad. It may look like rebellion to you. It may lead to inappropriate behaviors. And some strange choices in clothing […] The post A Little Off Track appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#575 – Student Story: Alexa Ever wonder why your son or daughter hangs around with a questionable group of friends? Are you worried that your teen is being dragged down by his peers? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston helps parents make sense of their child’s choice of friends and protect their teen […] The post WEEKEND: What If Your Teen’s Friends Are Bad News? appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2184 I work with troubled kids. Teens who’ve lost their way. And their parents often ask me what to do when their teen is arrested. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Well… I believe in allowing a child to own the consequences of his behavior. I believe it’s best to not bail a […] The post Jail Time appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2183 When you have an older teen spinning out of control and not responding to your discipline… it may mean you have a very important choice before you. You can let that teen stay at home and wreak havoc in the household. Or… you can ask him to leave. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting […] The post Leaving Home appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2182 At Heartlight… our residential counseling center for troubled teens… one of my jobs is to repair the horse fences. I need to ensure that the boundaries are strong. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. These sensitive… and sometimes stubborn… creatures need to know where they can go, and where they can’t. If […] The post Good Fences appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2181 Change is tough. And, usually, change creates all kinds of conflict. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. God has called you, as a parent, to work toward better things for your family… even if that means instigating stuff that makes your kids uncomfortable. You’re standing for the good, honorable and necessary things […] The post Let Conflict Come appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2180 Matthew 6:27 says, Can any of you add a single hour to the span of your life by worrying? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Well, let’s be honest. No matter how hard we try …it’s really hard not to worry about your kids. Especially when they’re acting out in unacceptable ways. […] The post Give Up Worrying appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#565 – Student Story: Tucker How do you react when conflict rears its ugly head in your family? Do you yell? Get defensive? Give the silent treatment? Get emotional? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston presents seven ways to argue effectively and use conflict to your advantage. The post WEEKEND: 7 Ways to Argue Effectively appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2178 The world our kids live in today is far different from the one you and I grew up in. As kids move into their teen years, they face unimaginable pressure to turn away from the values you’ve worked so hard to instill in their lives. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Raising […] The post Change It Up appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2177 I’ve met parents who post a list of rules on the fridge… and expect the kids to fall in line. But more often than not… that piece of paper does nothing more than annoy and embarrass the kids. And frankly …it doesn’t work. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. In the teen […] The post Rules and Relationships appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2176 A man struggling with terminal cancer once told me, “I try not to stand too long on the mountain, and I don’t sit too long in the valley. I live one day at a time and try to keep my attitude somewhere near the middle.” Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. In […] The post One Day at a Time appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2175 When a teenager is causing problems in the family, he isn’t the only one in need! Moms and dads desperately need support, as well. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. In the heat of relentless family conflict, most moms and dads become battered, worn down… or even devastated. In fact, a teen […] The post Support for Parents appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#564 – Student Story: Santana Do you love your kids conditionally or unconditionally? Seems like a silly question, right? Unconditionally, of course! But you might be surprised by how many teens say their parents only love them up to a certain point. This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston explains how to communicate unconditional […] The post WEEKEND: Is Your Love Conditional or Unconditional? appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2174 There’s no perfect formula for bringing a teenager to maturity. But… there are three ingredients that’ll give you a good head start! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. First. Unconditional Love lets them know there’s nothing they can do to make you love them more, and nothing they can do to make […] The post Love, Grace, and Truth appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2173 Teens do a lot of empty-headed communicating …especially by cell phone, IM, Facebook and text. In fact, it’s not unusual to see a group of teens sitting in the same room …sending text-messages to one another… instead of just having normal conversations! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Yeah …this new generation […] The post Value of Connecting appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2172 In order for parents to have a healthy relationship with their teen… it’s necessary to create a safe harbor where healthy relationships can develop. So… does your child sense your unconditional love? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Relationships thrive in an atmosphere of unqualified acceptance. That means… even when your child […] The post Arena for Healthy Relationships appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2171 Everyone has those moments when they don’t handle things well, and even the best parent loses it once in awhile. But if losing your cool has become the new normal… maybe it’s time to hit the pause button… and get some help. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Ephesians 6:4 says, Fathers, […] The post A Wise Warning appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2170 When was the last time you humbled yourself … and spoke those two giant words … I’m sorry? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. I once witnessed an entire family break down and sob when the father asked each member to forgive him for the way he’d handled himself in their relationship. […] The post Asking for Forgiveness appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#563 – Student Story: Sarah Grandparents can have a profound influence on their grandkids during the teen years. And those years can develop into rich connection and long-lasting relationship. This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston shares how grandparents fulfill a specific and vital role in a teen’s life. The post WEEKEND: Why Your Teens Need Their Grandparents appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.

#2169 There’s nothing more destructive to your relationship with your child than constant lecturing. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston… with Parenting Today’s Teens. Whenever conflict occurs, if your knee-jerk reaction is to lecture, you’re communicating that you don’t think your teen can think for himself. And if you condemn him for his mistakes, you’re actually reinforcing […] The post Avoid the Lecture appeared first on Parenting Today's Teens.