Parenting Today's Teens – Details, episodes & analysis

Could the biggest change in your relationship with your teen begin with simply listening better? In this episode, Mark and Wayne explore why today’s teens are desperate to feel heard, and why many stop talking when they believe no one is truly listening. You’ll learn practical ways to move from correcting and lecturing to understanding and connecting. Plus, a Heartlight teen shares her story of hidden pain, family conflict, anxiety and how finally feeling heard helped bring healing and restoration.

Find practical ways to create an atmosphere conducive to honest conversation with your teen at bit.ly/when-your-teen-wont-open-up

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In today's episode, Mark addresses one of the most pressing concerns among Christian parents: what to do when teens begin to struggle with or question their faith. Many teens, especially those facing trauma or feeling like they don't fit in, may not respond to traditional spiritual approaches. Mark discusses the critical transition from concrete to abstract thinking during adolescence and emphasizes the importance of patience, relationship and modeling Christ’s love. Parents are encouraged not to shame or pressure their teens, but instead to offer ongoing support and authentic living that gently points them to Jesus.

Have a question for Mark? We want to hear it! Go to markgregston.com to send it in.

What if counseling could become one of the greatest gifts you give your teen? In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight Counselor Courtney LaFleur discuss why counseling isn’t just for teens in crisis. Sometimes, a trusted voice outside the family can help teens process pain, understand their behavior and find hope in ways parents alone cannot. You’ll also hear Jack’s story of healing, vulnerability and restored family relationships. Because when struggles stay hidden, they often get acted out — but healing begins when someone finally feels heard.

Find out 10 characteristics of a teen who needs intervention at bit.ly/intervention-before-its-too-late

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org.

Today, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd encourage parents to view teen dating as a training ground, not just something to restrict or fear. Mark emphasizes that healthy, age-appropriate dating — guided by clear expectations and strong communication — can help teens learn respect, boundaries and what godly relationships look like. Not every relationship with the opposite sex has to be sexual, and parents play a key role by modeling healthy marriages and staying engaged with their teen. When handled well, dating can help teens grow toward wisdom and future commitment.

Mark has designed many different resources to help you as you navigate parenting. To explore his podcasts, blogs, books, conferences and more, please visit parentingtodaysteens.org

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org. 

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

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/

Do you know how to tell if you have a good, healthy relationship with your teenager? Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd share FIVE markers you can use to gauge how well you're connecting with your teen and where you could do better. A great starting point is to simply spend more one-on-one time with them! Listen in for more of Mark and Wayne's tips.  

For some extra help fine-tuning your parenting approach, check out Mark's Parenting Toolbox at bit.ly/3tGbSMb

As kids enter their teen years, they get completely bombarded by information, gossip and negative messaging from media sources all around them. Unfortunately, as your teen's head spins with all the info, they can begin to view people as unworthy of respect — especially people in authority. In this devotional, Mark Gregston focuses on how you can maintain the respect you have cultivated with your child throughout their teen years and beyond.  

Want to learn more about what the Bible says about parenting? Take a look at Mark's two-week devotional series, "How to Parent Your Teen in a Biblical Way," at bit.ly/3tQqGb5

Adopted teens — and their parents — often have a unique set of challenges throughout the adolescent years as the teen explores questions about their birth parents. Mark sits down to chat with some Heartlight teens, including a 16-year-old boy who was adopted at a very young age. He explains that he struggled to feel a real, genuine attachment to his adoptive parents, which led to fights in the home. Tune in now to hear his story!   

If you have an adopted teen in your family, check out Mark's FREE e-book, "Parenting An Adopted Teen," at bit.ly/3P8jn7i

No matter how well-intentioned they are, many parents have habits they may not even be aware of that drive their teens crazy and damage the relationship. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd go over some of the most common parenting pitfalls you might stumble into that can end up pushing your teen away from you. Listen in now to hear their advice!  

Need some more ideas on how to keep a close relationship with your teen? Check out Mark's article, "The Greatest Gift to Give Your Teen," at bit.ly/3O5STSO