Parenting Today's Teens
Episodes
I Mustache Mark a Question: Age Appropriate Parenting
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
By the age of 16, teens are closer to independence than they are to dependence. Should the rules change as they get older? In today’s episode, Mark ...
What Teens Wish Their Parents Knew
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Believe it or not, teens long for heart to heart conversations with their parents. Every kid has a message they desperately want to convey — they ju...
"Is This True Life?"
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Much like a child questioning if a movie they love takes place in the real world, we need to look at our social media feeds and discern how much of it...
Teen Stories: Feeling Like an Outcast
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many of our teens go through periods in life when they don't feel like they fit in with their peers. Usually, it's just a passing phase, but s...
Failure to Launch
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's college, the military, trade school or working full-time, it's beneficial for both you and your teen to have a plan for what come...
I Mustache Mark a Question: When to Seek Professional Help
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While it can be hard to admit that your teen may need more help than you can offer, it is sometimes essential. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston ans...
The Foundation of Connection
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re not growing closer to your teen, you’re growing apart. Kids yearn to be seen, heard and known. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston and W...
Normal and Abnormal Behavior: What's the Difference?
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As a parent, sometimes you must accept that kids will be kids. Having a messy room, following odd trends or sleeping in late are all pretty normal tee...
Teen Stories: On The Other Side of Addiction
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Drugs are more accessible for teens than ever before. And when there's strife at home and kids start looking for relief, it can be easy for them t...
When Communicating Doesn't Create Connections
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Thanks to technology and social media, teens are talking to each other more than ever before — but are they actually connecting more? In today's...
I Mustache Mark a Question: Bad Attitudes
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We all have bad days, but what happens when disagreeable moods turn into toxic identities? In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers questions from ...
Is Lying Normal?
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Prepare yourself — your teen will go behind your back. The parent who claims “not my kid” is in for an unpleasant surprise. In today's episo...
Put Your Treasure Where Your Heart Is
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you've been waiting for "just the right time," to truly connect with your kids or grandkids ... that time is now! Begin building your l...
Teens and Grief: Picking Up the Pieces
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When a parent passes away, everyone in the family is left to learn how to cope the best they can. Unfortunately, sometimes differing coping mechanisms...
Why Do Teens Like to Argue So Much?
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of teens seem to argue just for the sake of arguing, but oftentimes, there are some deeper issues going on under the surface. As a parent, you h...
I Mustache Mark a Question: Redirecting Influence
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Influence is defined as the capacity to have an effect on the character, development or behavior of someone. As a parent, how do your actions and deci...
The Key to Successfully Raising a Teen
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The responsibilities of a parent are arguably infinite, which raises the question: Is there a single component of parenting that should be prioritized...
How Well Do You Understand Your Teen's World?
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Most parents would agree that they're grateful they're not growing up in today's teenage culture. Our teens are faced with information ove...
When They Hit Bumps in the Road
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While there is ALWAYS hope for struggling teens, they'll inevitably hit some bumps in the road while finding their way again. What matters is how ...
Modeling Forgiveness for Your Teens
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's intentional or not, teens can sometimes be quite hurtful toward their parents. When your teen has hurt you, do you carry that resentm...
I Mustache Mark a Question: Refusing Therapy
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mark Gregston answers the question of the week, which comes from a parent who is trying to get their teen to go to therapy. If help i...
Is Smoking Weed Normal?
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In a culture where anxiety is high and teens crave connection, marijuana can seem like the perfect solution. If “everyone is doing it,” why would ...
Good Parents Are Great Listeners
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the chaos of today's world, our teens are desperately looking for someone to truly listen to them. Mom or Dad, is that person you? Or do you of...
The Messy Side of Adoption
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When kids get adopted, it's definitely not always a smooth transition — it's a massive adjustment for the entire family. In this episode, Ma...
Is Disrespect Derailing Your Home?
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Disrespect has an extremely potent way of ruining relationships. If you have a disrespectful teen in your home, the situation needs to be dealt with —...
Is It Worth Your Relationship?
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, Mark Gregston answers the question of the week, which comes from the parent of a teen who smokes weed daily. Should parents focu...
Broken Parents Raising Broken Teens
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There’s no way around it — life is hard and none of us can avoid the pain and suffering of the human experience. In today’s episode, Mark Gregst...
Encouraging the Next Generation
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Teens and young adults are like sponges, but, unfortunately, they often soak up more negativity than positivity. That's why it's crucial that ...
Teens and Depression: Stopping the Spiral
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Depression in teens can often be caused by traumatic events or circumstances early in life that they couldn't fully process at the time. When they...
Is the Relationship With Your Teen Top Priority?
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Parents often get too focused on "winning," whether that's ending an argument or checking all of the parenting boxes they feel they're...
How to Implement the Ideal Dating Model
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How should parents approach their teens’ inevitable interest in the opposite sex, and ultimately romantic relationships? With the proper guidance an...
The Value of Admitting Our Struggles
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The danger of creating and selling a perfect narrative to the world is that it becomes nearly impossible to communicate your problems to anyone. This ...
Is Judgment Driving Your Teen Away?
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When teens feel judged by their parents, they'll quickly put up walls in the relationship and not receive any of the insight or instruction you...
When Teens Try to Run From Their Problems
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever gotten in an argument with your teen and they've threatened to run away? It's usually an empty threat, but some teens feel it...
Being the Best Grandparent You Can Be
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Grandparents can have a powerful, unique role in the lives of their teen grandkids — IF they choose to actively pursue the relationship. You may hav...
How to Deal With Loved Ones Invalidating Your Rules
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Family and friends can bring so much encouragement, comfort and joy. However, they can also bring discouragement, contradiction and stress. What shoul...
Don't Miss THIS Cry for Help
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When teens mess up, their first response will likely be to protect themselves from consequences. If you’re bent on justice ... you just might miss t...
Grandparents, How Welcoming Is Your Home?
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A grandparent's home can be a warm, almost magical place where a teen can find rest from the stresses of life ... or, it can be a place where kids...
What Are the Barriers to Good Relationships?
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you long for a closer relationship with your teen? Closeness can be blocked by many factors, including busyness, lack of communication or even how ...
Guiding Your Teen Through Grief
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's the loss of a grandparent, a broken relationship or the tragic death of a friend, loss can hit teens really hard. And if they aren...
Helping Teens Self-Reflect
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mark Gregston answers the question of the week, which comes from a parent who is trying to get their teenage daughter to recognize wh...
When Feelings of Failure Creep in...
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever started to feel like a failure as a parent? When those worries start to pop up, it's easy to get overwhelmed — but don't be to...
Are You Leading by Example?
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The phrase, "Actions speak louder than words," may feel like a cliché, but when it comes to preparing teens for adulthood, it has never been ...
A Soft Heart Behind a Hard Shell
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Teens who've walked through trauma at a young age respond in a variety of ways, but often, they'll create a tough, prickly outer persona to ke...
The Muddle in the Middle
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As busy and activity-packed as most of our lives are, you may find that the best opportunities to connect with your teen pop up in the most mundane of...
When Your Child Is Living a Double Life
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Mark Gregston answers the top parenting question of the week, which comes from a mom who just found out her daughter — who&#...
Training Boys to Be Men
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a parent to a teenage boy, you probably know that they're prone to taking some questionable risks, and oftentimes their need to prov...
Making Time for Your Teen
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How often do you make time to just sit down and talk to your teen? Is it only when they've done something wrong, or do you make it a point to hang...
It's Not Too Late to Change the Story
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When teens begin to feel trapped in a mess of their own making, they sometimes lack the perspective to see a way out. That's why it's SO impor...
Identifying the Pull of Culture
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As parents, we do our best to instill godly morals and the ability to make wise choices into our teens, but there's no denying that today's ad...
Interpreting Your Child's Defense Mechanisms
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Mark Gregston answers the top parenting question of the week, which comes from a father wondering why his adopted daughter is ...
When You've Been Fired By Your Teen...
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When your teen rejects you or tells you they hate you, it can hurt deeply. But God can use even the most painful of moments for good — and after all...
Don't Let Losses Become Generational
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We know losses and pain can have a huge impact on teens' behavior ... but have you considered how the losses in your own life affect your parentin...
Rebuilding Relationships From the Ground Up
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many kids who arrive at Heartlight have a totally broken relationship with their parents, and it takes effort from the whole family to rebuild trust, ...
Are You Ready to Change How You Engage?
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Parenting a teen in today's ever-changing culture means you have to be prepared to shift the way you communicate and engage with your child — ot...
Setting Age-Appropriate Boundaries with Social Media
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Mark Gregston addresses the top parenting topic of the week, which is how to help teens have healthy, age-appropriate boundari...
The Keys to Productive Confrontation
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When your teen makes a mistake, do you jump immediately into dishing out discipline in the heat of anger? Or do you pause, take a breath and get the f...
Do You Know the Losses in Your Teen's Life?
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When your child is young, they tend to tell you when their favorite toy has broken or a friend has been mean to them — but when they become a teen a...
Keeping Anger Under Control
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's simple passive aggression or fits of rage, teens often express hurts or unresolved problems in their lives through anger. As a parent...
Hope in the Midst of Conflict
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you're quarreling with a teenager, it sometimes feels like the conflict will never end. But God can use ANY problem for good, so don't lo...
Perspective Vs. Opinion: Know the Difference
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mark Gregston answers the top question of the week, which comes from a parent who wonders how to properly share their perspective wit...
Fight, Flight or Freeze
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When teens are confronted with hurts or challenges in life that they're not prepared for, they typically react in one of three ways: Fight, flight...
How Loss Can Impact Behavior
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cruel words, abuse and trauma that occur in our adolescent years can impact us for our entire lifetimes — sometimes whether we're aware of it or...
Smiles Don't Tell the Whole Story
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Some of the teens who smile and laugh all the time are also the ones who are struggling the most on the inside. Behind the happy, bubbly exterior, the...
Keeping Your Parenting Priorities Straight
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
No matter what ups and downs you may encounter while raising your teen, your top priority should always be to build and maintain a healthy relationshi...
Balancing Video Game Time With Responsibility
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In today's show, Mark Gregston answers the top parenting question of the week, which comes from a parent who wants to know how to enforce screen t...
How Do You Know When It's Time to Take Action?
05 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If your teen has started acting out or behaving differently, it may be time to take serious action to prevent it from getting worse. But how can you k...
Your Teen Shouldn't Be Defined By Their Mistakes
04 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many kids who were brought up in Christian families and youth groups make a pledge to remain abstinent until marriage, and there are plenty who stick ...
Finding Healing Away From Home
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When kids start having issues early on in life, it can be hard for them to unravel their problems in the same environment they started in. Hard as it ...
Starting the New Year Off Right
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Happy 2023! The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on how relationships grew — or grew apart — in your family, and assess chan...
Is Bribing a Teen Always a Bad Thing?
30 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Mark Gregston addresses two of the top parenting questions of the week: One from a family who is concerned about their daughte...
Conflict: It Has a Silver Lining
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever seen conflict on the horizon with your teen and simply wanted to run the other way? Practically every parent knows this feeling! But con...
The Dangers of a Performance-Based Relationship
28 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Many teens today feel like their parents' love is conditional, and whether or not it's actually true, they think their parents will stop lovin...
Hiding the Problem Never Solves It
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When teens are dealing with internal turmoil, they often try to hide their problems from their families — but they can only bury hurt for so long. I...
What's Your Vision for Your Family?
26 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Improving the dynamics of a family is never an instant makeover. But little changes over a long period of time can make all the difference! In this ep...
Going Beyond the 'Yes' or 'No' Questions
23 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mark Gregston answers the top parenting problem of the week, which is how to approach a teen who hates being asked questions. A great...
How to Have a Peaceful Christmas With Your Teens
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Let's face it, no matter how hard we may try as parents, Christmas with teenagers rarely ever looks like the beautiful Hallmark holiday we hope fo...
It's Never Too Early to Think About Legacy
21 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you're a parent or grandparent, it's never too soon to begin considering the legacy you'll leave behind for your family when you&#...
Teens and Depression: Behind the Mask
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Some of the teens who struggle the most with their mental health are the ones who seem the happiest on the outside. That's why it's so importa...
Don't Grow Weary of Doing Good
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When your teen is out of control, it can feel overwhelming for the entire family. But don't stop searching for answers! There is always hope to me...
Consequences Don't Have to Ruin the Relationship
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Mark Gregston answers a question from some distraught parents whose son stole hundreds — possibly thousands — of dollars t...
Reaching Your Teen's Heart When They've Hurt Yours
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Part of raising a teen is accepting that they will hurt you at times — whether it's by disobeying you, making poor decisions or choosing not to ...
Every Parent Has a Story to Tell
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When your teen comes to you with questions about life, they're not looking for more facts and information, they're looking for REAL wisdom. In...
Finding a Fresh Start
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Kids seek out drugs for various reasons, but whether it's to cope with pain at home or to fit in with a group of friends, drug use can kickstart a...
Are You Ready to Go From Lecturer to Coach?
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Practically every parent would agree that they wouldn't want to grow up in the culture that today's teens live in. With social media and the n...
Not Every Mistake Requires Punishment
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Mark Gregston answers the top parenting question of the week, which comes from a family whose 15-year-old recently confessed t...
Teens Are Smoking More Pot Than Ever — But Why?
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As more states legalize the use of recreational marijuana, it's also, unfortunately, becoming increasingly accessible to teens. And for many kids,...
The Impact of Pain Shouldn't Be Ignored
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When you're in pain, whether it's physical or emotional, it has a way of changing the way you interact with and respond to the outside world. ...
When Teens Have to Own Up to Dishonesty
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Mark Gregston sits down with two young ladies from Heartlight who both found themselves caught in a mess after lying to their ...
Eight Keys to Better Communication With Your Teen
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's teen culture, it may seem like ALL of their communication takes place over texts, but don't lose hope. It's still possible to h...
Asking the Right Questions at the Right Time
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Mark Gregston answers the most pressing parenting question of the week, which is all about ... questions! Do you know how to e...
Single Parents: Holding the Line
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Being a single mom or dad is one of the toughest roles out there, and if your teen is acting out, it's easy to feel totally overwhelmed! That'...
Steer Clear of Nagging and Lecturing
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you constantly nag or lecture your teens, they probably feel like you don't trust them or you believe they're incompetent. This is one of t...
Finding That "Lightbulb" Moment
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In many cases, teens have to hit rock bottom before they realize they have to deal with the big issues in their lives, whether it's addiction, ins...
"I Can Do This On My Own, Mom!"
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When kids hit the middle of their teen years (or sometimes younger), you'll usually start to hear them say things like "I don't want your ...
How Do You Support Your Teen During a Divorce?
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mark Gregston shares his thoughts on the biggest parenting question of the week: How do you support a teen through the process of a h...
No Matter What, Keep Speaking Wisdom
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When your child becomes a teen, you can no longer make all their decisions for them — but you CAN ask them questions about what's going on in th...
Be the Listening Ear Your Child Needs
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's teens are DESPERATE for someone to listen to them — but all too often, their parents or grandparents shut them down with harsh or judgme...
When Teens Can't Make Decisions With a Clear Head
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Mark Gregston chats with a couple of Heartlight teens who both struggled with drug use and felt like their lives were totally ...
No Pain, No Change
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For most kids, the first 12 or 13 years of their lives are relatively pain-free, but things change when they enter middle and high school. They begin ...