The Author of Reconciliation (5-30-2009)

WEEKLY HALF-HOUR PROGRAM SUMMARY:  Is there a wall between you and your teen? Have there been so many hurtful encounters between you that reconciliation seems impossible? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston calls for radical changes in your home…to break down the walls in your relationship.

That’s Not Love (5-29-2009)

SCRIPT:

Some parents think they are showing love to their child by allowing them to do anything they want. 

Crystal’s older brother didn’t work, slept till noon, played video games all day, and stayed out all night. He embarrassed crystal, who felt she could never invite friends home. When Crystal asked mom about it, she responded that this was her brother’s house too, and as usual, did nothing.

Denial is a powerful force, and if you’re a parent who knows something is wrong, today is the day to expose it, for every day that passes is one more day it damages your family. Enlist the help of others if the battle seems impossible. I  guarantee you, it is not.

Teen Priorities (5-28-2009)

SCRIPT:

When a teenager suddenly refuses to spend time with his family, or if time with new friends of questionable character always takes priority over everything else in his life, a wise parent will consider it a warning sign, not normal teenage behavior.

A little intolerance for parents or family is normal, but when your teen suddenly shows disdain or hatred toward you, then it’s time for further evaluation by a trained counselor.

Rejecting the family is a sign of other issues in the teen’s life that should be uncovered before they lead the teen down the wrong path. Catching it early can save a lot of heartache and safely bring the teen back to right thinking.

Wait to Help Your Teen (5-27-2009)

SCRIPT:

Your teen won’t like to hear what you think unless they ask you for your opinion, and they’ll take your advice even less.

A normal part of the teen years is the quest for independence that keeps them from asking for help, even when it’s plain to everyone around them that they need it. One of the best habits parents develop is the habit of waiting to be invited to give your opinion or to help, and keeping quiet while your teen tries to figure things out for themselves.

Having to learn things the hard way and paying a high price are sometimes a teen’s best teachers, and allowing them to wait while they experience it is a parent’s best approach.

Parental Unconditional Love (5-26-2009)

SCRIPT:

There is no right formula for bringing a teenager to maturity, but there are three ingredients that will help you do a pretty good job of it.

First, unconditional love lets them know there is nothing they can do to make you love them more, and nothing they can do to make you love them less.

Second, grace gives them room to fail and the encouragement to learn from their mistakes.

And third, truth is the correcting influence that balances their actions with what is right and wrong in the sight of God and man and brings consequences to bear when they go over the line.

Love, grace and truth are three powerful ingredients that every parent should apply generously.

Teen Sheltering (5-25-2009)

SCRIPT:

A wise parent will teach a teenager how to survive in the cultural jungle.

It’s never been harder to raise kids to be discerning, to love God with their whole heart, and to make good decisions. Even when you give it your best shot, you can experience problems.

So some parents try to ensure their kids’ safety by keeping them at home and hovering over them. But keep this in mind — we’re not supposed to be raising kids to live in the zoo – we’re raising them to survive in the jungle.

Keeping a teenager in a cage does nothing to help them survive in the real world. No matter how much you protect them, they’ll eventually need to live safely and confidently on their own.

Parental Controls and the Internet (5-23-2009)

WEEKEND HALF-HOUR PROGRAM SUMMARY:

As teens spend more and more time on the Internet, it’s important that parents know how to effectively balance their teen’s privacy and protection. Mark Gregston gives some practical help for getting a handle on the Internet in your home.

School Troubles for Teens (5-22-2009)

SCRIPT:  I couldn’t believe my ears when a school administrator told me that kids who couldn’t pass his standardized tests were not welcome in his school system.

Most problems with teens begin to show themselves in junior high and high school. Most kids adapt, fit in, and survive the education process. But many become singled out as “problem kids” because they don’t function well in the educational system.

For kids who are labeled as a problem, school can be a real nightmare. I tell parents dealing with such kids — many of which are unusually bright — to keep an open mind and to adjust their plans if needed.

There are other options for high school graduation, like private tutoring, home schooling and even a G.E.D.

Teen Rope Burn (5-21-2009)

SCRIPT: Keeping a teen on a tightrope can sometimes result in rope burn.

Failure to give your child enough of the right kind of freedom often backfires, and if you see your teen resorting to sneakiness, lying, or even rebellion, it may be because they asked you to give them more freedom, and you responded with more controls.

Teens develop by doing, seeing, and experiencing more, and parents often make the mistake of putting too many limits or just saying “No” when they should be working to balance freedom with appropriate limits.

The fight you are experiencing in their behavior may just be their way of demanding you help them find ways to experience more freedom while making right choices.

When Teens Hit Rock Bottom (5-20-2009)

SCRIPT: In our Heartlight counseling center, I work everyday with teens who have hit rock bottom.

You may be surprised to learn that part of the despair I find in today’s teens is actually a byproduct of receiving too much of everything from their parents.

Overindulgence makes a teen believe he’s entitled to more and more. They find out all too soon that the empty promise that the world revolves around them is just not the case.

If your teen has hit rock bottom, it may be that he has nowhere to go but up, and helping him get out of the hole he’s in doesn’t involve making him happy or giving him more stuff, but learning to take responsibility for himself.