Parenting Today's Teens

Dating can make parents nervous, but it can also give teens valuable opportunities to learn about relationships, communication and what they may eventually want in a spouse. Mark, Wayne and Courtney discuss the benefits and risks of teen dating, when to allow greater interaction with the opposite sex, and how parents can establish healthy boundaries without creating shame or pushing their teen away. Above all, they encourage parents to stay involved as their teen’s relationships become increasingly important. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen who shares how an abusive relationship contributed to alcohol abuse, anxiety and broken family relationships — and how healing has helped her take responsibility and reconnect with the people she loves. Learn when and how to broach the subject of sex with your teen at bit.ly/how-to-talk-to-your-teen-about-sex

In this week’s Q&A episode, Mark tackles some deeply personal challenges parents are facing with their teens. How do adoptive parents move forward after years of conflict and heartache? How should a parent respond when a 14-year-old says she’s gay? What do you say when your 18-year-old insists marijuana helps him cope with anxiety? And how do you handle a teen romance that’s moving way too fast? Mark also addresses what to do when your teen doesn’t want to talk despite your best efforts to connect, and how to support a daughter who has withdrawn after bullying and the suicide of a close friend. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes maintaining the relationship, setting appropriate boundaries and knowing when giving a teen some space may actually draw them closer. Have a parenting situation you can’t quite figure out? Send your question to Mark at markgregston.com, and he may tackle it on an upcoming episode!

Respect is essential to a healthy family, but demanding it from your teen isn’t enough. Parents also need to model the kind of respect they want to receive. Mark and Wayne discuss how parents can make respect a priority at home, establish clear boundaries and consequences for disrespect, and examine whether their own words and reactions are contributing to the problem. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen as he candidly shares how trauma, anger and isolation affected his relationship with his mom — and how working through his past helped him discover who he wants to become. Tune in for practical guidance on building a home where respect is both expected and given. Entitlement is just one form of disrespect from teens. Here are 10 tips to deal with it: bit.ly/ten-ways-to-deal-with-an-entitled-teen

When your family is in crisis, it can feel like the conflict, heartache and exhaustion will never end. But the difficult season you’re walking through today doesn’t have to define your relationship with your teen tomorrow. In this episode, Mark draws on decades of walking alongside struggling families to offer hope to parents who feel worn out and ready to give up. He explains why conflict can actually deepen relationships, why hope requires action and why parents should focus not only on getting through today’s crisis, but on building the relationship they want with their teen five years from now. Listen in for encouragement to keep showing up, keep investing and trust that God is still at work — even when you can’t yet see the other side. Gain a new perspective on conflict with your teen and recover from the exhaustion that’s draining your ability to parent: bit.ly/hope-for-constant-conflict-exhausted-parents

Growing up today means living in a world obsessed with appearances, fitting in and being “enough.” In this episode, Mark chats with two young women at Heartlight who open up about battling anxiety, insecurity and the pressure to perform. Both share how their struggles — whether from family tension, past trauma or the constant hunt for validation — left them feeling isolated and misunderstood. Listen as they unpack how the unhealthy cycles took root and what it really looks like to start finding confidence and self-worth from the inside out. Looking for hope for your struggling teen? Go to heartlightministries.org to learn more about our residential counseling program.

The teen years go by faster than most parents realize. And while your schedule may be packed, the time you intentionally spend with your teen today can shape your relationship for years to come. Mark and Wayne discuss why regular one-on-one time is so important — and how listening without judging, asking thoughtful questions and simply enjoying time together can build trust and open the door to deeper conversations. Mark also shares a personal lesson from his relationship with his own son, while a Heartlight teen offers a powerful perspective on what struggling teens really need from their parents. Don’t underestimate your influence. The time you invest in your teen now could make all the difference later. Learn practical ways to engage differently with your teen, so they actually want to talk to you: bit.ly/how-to-communicate-differently-with-your-teens

In this insightful Q&A episode, Mark dives into some tough questions parents are facing with their older teens on the verge of adulthood. He tackles real-life situations like helping teens develop independence as they approach age 18, addressing defiance and disrespect, and making difficult decisions about letting kids stay at home. Mark also discusses how to help teens who are struggling with depression or lack motivation, and when to intervene versus letting natural consequences play out — especially when anxiety and risky behaviors are involved. With his signature wisdom and compassion, Mark offers practical advice for parents on setting boundaries, encouraging responsibility and preparing their teens for life in the real world. Have a question for a future episode? We'd love to hear it! Go to markgregston.com to send it in.

Does your teen expect you to provide everything they want — and push back when you don’t? In this episode, Mark and Wayne tackle the problem of entitlement and share six practical ways parents can help teens become more responsible and independent. Mark explains why doing less for your teen can actually prepare them for more, how to transfer responsibility as they mature and why love doesn’t always have to come in the form of giving them something. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who candidly shares about his struggles with drugs, depression and a deteriorating relationship with his parents, and the changes that are helping him rebuild those relationships. Tune in for practical ways to move your teen toward independence while affirming the relationship along the way. Learn how to cultivate gratitude in your home versus entitlement here: bit.ly/create-a-thankful-home

Your teen is surrounded by voices competing for their attention, but what are they really looking for from you? In this episode, Mark explores how today’s culture of negativity, self-proclaimed experts and social media fantasy can make it difficult for teens to separate information from wisdom and truth from opinion. He explains why constant criticism can leave teens emotionally exhausted, while shallow affirmation can keep them from facing the truth they need to grow. Mark encourages parents to fill that gap by building the kind of relationship that allows them to speak truth in love — offering honesty without constant negativity, wisdom without acting like a know-it-all and encouragement grounded in reality. Listen in and discover how you can become a positive, trustworthy voice your teen will turn to when the rest of the world feels like noise. One of the most common questions Mark gets from parents is, “How old should my child be when I give them a cell phone?” His answer usually surprises them. Find out more at parentingtodaysteens.org/articles/q-a-on-cell-phones

When teens spiral out — experimenting with drugs, running with the wrong crowd or shutting out family — there’s almost always a deeper hurt they’re trying to escape. On today’s show, we share Mark's interviews with two Heartlight residents who bravely discussed how their choices were just attempts to numb what they felt inside, like abandonment, overwhelming expectations and tragic loss. Both teens worked hard to face the pain they once pushed away. Listen as they unpack the pressure to be "perfect," the loneliness that fueled their mistakes and how facing their emotions at Heartlight helped them reconnect with their families — and themselves. Could Heartlight help your struggling teen? Learn more at heartlightministries.org

How can you tell when typical teenage struggles have become something more serious? Mark and Wayne discuss the warning signs that a teen may be spinning out of control — from escalating rebellion, dishonesty and disregard for consequences to isolation, substance use, self-harm and other dangerous behaviors. Mark also shares practical steps parents can take to intervene, establish healthier boundaries and recognize when it’s time to seek outside help. You’ll also hear a candid conversation with a Heartlight teen, who shares how drinking, drugs and unhealthy relationships gradually took priority in her life. Addressing the deeper reasons behind her choices helped her begin rebuilding her relationship with her parents. Tune in to learn how to recognize a teen’s cry for help and step in before a downward spiral becomes a crisis. Learn to address the pain behind your teen's behavior at bit.ly/the-hurt-behind-your-teens-behavior

In this week’s Q&A episode, Mark tackles questions spanning nearly every stage of the teen years and beyond. How can grandparents build stronger relationships with their grandkids? Is it too late to shift from teaching to training once your child leaves for college? Do busy teens really need jobs? And what happens when Mom and Dad disagree about how to parent? Mark also addresses how grandparents can support teens caught in the middle of divorce, why parents should stay relational when an adult child makes choices they disagree with and what one mom should do about her 11-year-old’s growing obsession with K-pop band BTS. What’s on your mind about parenting your teen? Send Mark your question at markgregston.com — it could be featured in an upcoming episode!

How do you know when your teen’s struggles have reached the point where your family needs outside help? Mark, Wayne and Courtney discuss when residential counseling may be appropriate — and why lasting change requires more than simply correcting behavior. They explain how a relationship-based approach can help teens address the deeper issues driving their choices while helping restore relationships throughout the family. You’ll also hear from Heartlight teen Jack, who shares how counseling, vulnerability and his parents’ willingness to grow alongside him transformed their relationship. Listen in for practical guidance on recognizing when your teen needs additional help and choosing a path toward healing for the whole family. Find out the 12 warning signs your teen may need a residential counseling program at heartlightministries.org

You want the best for your teen. But could your encouragement and high expectations be sending the message that they aren't good enough? Mark explores how well-meaning parents can unintentionally create a culture of perfection at home. He shares why teens may interpret guidance as judgment, standards as impossible expectations and correction as evidence that they’ll never measure up. Mark encourages parents to trade perfection for authenticity — admitting their own mistakes, making room for struggle, and assuring their teens that love isn’t based on appearance or performance. Listen in for a powerful reminder that grace and genuine connection can give your teen something perfection never will: a safe place to grow. You may be signaling perfectionism to your teen without knowing it. In this article, Mark exposes why demanding perfection backfires: bit.ly/3-ways-to-let-your-teen-be-imperfect

If you've ever wondered why a teen seems to pull away, sometimes the rules and consequences meant to help can actually drive a wedge. In today's episode, Mark sits down with two teens from Heartlight, Austin and Kennedy, who share candid stories about how discipline in their homes went from well-intentioned to relationship-breaking. Both teens open up about how strict systems, misunderstandings, and a lack of real connection pushed them toward anger and isolation. At Heartlight, they're learning just how much healing can happen when discipline takes a back seat to building genuine relationships. Interested in learning more about the Heartlight program? Visit heartlightministries.org today!

Adoption can give a child a loving family and a place to belong, but the teen years may bring difficult questions about identity, loss and acceptance to the surface. In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Courtney explore some of the unique struggles adopted teens may experience as they begin thinking more deeply about their past and wondering where they fit. Mark encourages parents to listen without assuming they understand, see life from their teen’s perspective, and remain a steady source of connection and love. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who shares how feelings of being unwanted affected her self-worth, friendships and choices — and how greater understanding is helping strengthen her relationship with her parents. Listen in for compassionate, practical encouragement for walking alongside an adopted teen through the challenges of adolescence. Thinking of adopting a child? Mark offers some food for thought here: bit.ly/things-to-consider-when-adopting

In this week’s Q&A episode, Mark dives into some more common challenges parents are facing with their teens today. From navigating the difference between sarcasm and disrespect to supporting kids through anxiety, depression and OCD — no topic is off limits. Mark addresses questions about parenting through divorce, rebuilding trust when teens habitually lie and how to create clear boundaries without losing connection. Full of relatable stories and down-to-earth advice, this episode is packed with practical ways to encourage honesty, set realistic expectations and keep relationships strong during the turbulent teen years. Have a question for a future episode? Go to markgregston.com to send it in!

Every teen wants to feel seen, valued and noticed. But what happens when they start looking for that attention in unhealthy places? Mark and Wayne explore what can be behind attention-seeking behavior and why parents should look beyond the behavior to understand what their teen is really longing for. Mark shares practical ways to offer meaningful attention, set healthy boundaries and strengthen connection. You’ll also hear from a Heartlight teen, who candidly shares how her desire for acceptance and affirmation contributed to a painful series of choices — and what she has since learned about the relationships that truly matter. Sometimes your teen acts out to get attention. Sometimes it may be something you, as a parent, are doing. Learn more here at bit.ly/tipping-points-in-relationships-with-teens

Is social media shaping the way your teen sees themselves — and convincing them they don’t measure up? In this episode, Mark Gregston explores how carefully curated posts, altered images and constant comparison can distort a teen’s view of reality and contribute to feelings of inadequacy, isolation and poor self-esteem. Rather than trying to eliminate social media altogether, Mark offers practical ways parents can help teens become wiser consumers of what they see online, recognize what’s real and what isn’t, and build healthier boundaries and perspectives. Listen in for guidance on helping your teen escape the comparison trap and stay grounded in real life. Parents, you are the ones who can best help your teens develop healthy habits when it comes to their lives online. Get more tips here: bit.ly/boundaries-for-teens-online-life

Family conflict isn’t just loud arguments or silent standoffs — it can leave deep marks that shape the way teens see themselves and their future. In this episode, Mark sits down with two young ladies from Heartlight who open up about what happens when home stops being a sanctuary and relationships fall apart. From stubborn fights with parents to feeling isolated and misunderstood, they share how painful family dynamics and past hurts pushed them to the edge. Listen in as they discuss what it took to begin letting go of resentment, accept help and start rebuilding trust — both at home and within themselves. If you have a struggling teen, Heartlight may be able to help. Visit heartlightministries.org to learn more.