Teen Trouble?

Teenagers go through normal turmoil in their emotions as they mature. But some have other factors that lead to unnatural problems that can be severe and may require outside help. As a first step for concerned parents, our Troubled Teen Help Assessment can be a helpful exercise. It is a simple evaluation of where the child is in the spin of things, based on our experience with thousands of struggling teenagers over the years... (read more)

Provide Feedback to Your Teen

Constructive feedback can light the way for the most positive and rewarding moments in parenting teens. Well-timed, well-worded feedback is a powerful tool in the parental tool box that can help encourage good decisions and shore up wobbly relationships. The key to helping your teen benefit from positive feedback is to deliver it at the right moment, in the right way, and with the right motives.... (read more)

Dealing With Teen Anger

Anger in your teenager can take on many faces.  It can be a seething anger kept quietly below the surface, or a tidal wave unleashed on everyone around them. Anger can manifest itself in a covert refusal to comply with your household rules or wishes, or it can lead your teenager to outwardly undermine their own future or even strike out in violence.

Anger in teenagers usually comes from some unmet need or heart-longing. Such “wants” can be immature and selfish; like wanting more material things... (read more)

Managing Conflict With Your Teen

When having conflict and struggle with your teen, it’s easy to feel as if the entire family is falling apart.  I’ve found that a better view of handling conflict is to see it as an opportunity to pull your family together, like never before!

Conflict Can Be the Precursor to Positive Change

I believe that relationships that stick together through conflict and hardship become closer relationships. In fact, the teens in our Heartlight program that I remember the most fondly are the ones that caused me to want to pull my hair out when dealing with their constant arguing and bad behavior.... (read more)

Step-Family Teen Troubles

Step-parents often experience rejection and anger from step-children in the teenage years.  After giving so much loving care over the years, it can be more than a parent can bear when the child seemingly turns against them. 

I daily help step-families in the midst of such turmoil.  Our work begins following a plea for help, similar to the note I received today…

“My husband and I have been married since my daughter was two years old.  Her biological father has had very little to do with her.  My daughter constantly argues with her step-father and will not stop.  He sometimes responds by becoming angry.  I simply cannot handle this any longer. ”.... (read more)

More Articles from Mark Gregston...

When Adopted Children Become Teenagers
Teen Recovery From Subtance Abuse
Dealing With Difficult Teens
Keep Hope Alive
Embracing the Sinful Child
Teens Can Learn from Your Mistakes
Teenage Girls Inappropriate Behavior
Step-Family Teen Problems
Deceptions of Teen Drug Use
What Your Teen Wants from You
Confusing Culture for Teens & Parents
Inappropriate Relationships
Teen Girls and Sexual Identity
Ten Steps to Maturity for Teenage Boys
Teen Spin Control
What if Your Teenager is Pregnant?
Your Teen's Selfishness
Ten Ways to Rebuild Relationships
The Shut-Up Challenge
Teens Who Demand Too Much
Teen Independence Day Earlier
Connecting With Your Teen
When Children Return to Live at Home
Could You Be the Prodigal?
Hidden Culprit of Teen Problems
Adult Children & Bad Decisions
Know Pain Know Gain
No Quick Fixes
Teen Modesy in a Culture of Seduction
Teens Can be Cooler Online
Your Teen and The Internet
Troubled Teen Triggers
Teens and Self-Control
Rulemaking Versus Ruling Your Home
A Teens' Need to Fit In
Boundaries for Your Teen
Parents of Teens Must Adapt
Self-Mutilation and Cutting
Teenagers and Consequences
Internet and Privacy for Teens
...more articles...

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