Scar on Your Teen’s Soul (12-20-2010)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

What a teen does in an instant can leave them with a scar on their soul for life. So, will you be there for them?

Even when your teen has done their worst, they need to know you love them just the same today as you did before their terrible mistake. Your love for them will never stop – no matter what.

When the unavoidable consequences are coming down hard on your teenager, it is no time to abandon them.

It could be the opportunity you’ve waited for to offer your child a taste of the true character of God and the need for a Savior, who will also never leave or forsake them, no matter what they’ve done.

WEEKEND: Adoption and Sexuality (12-18-2010)

HALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY:

Adoption is a wonderful experience.  But it can bring with it unique issues.  On this Parenting Today’s Teens program, Mark Gregston addresses some challenges for adoptive families… including the sensitive topics of sexuality and identity.

Special guest: Dee Dee Mayer.

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CHRISTMAS GIFT:  Some have asked how they can support the efforts of our Heartlight Ministries Foundation to help parents and teens. We have prepared a link to a secure place where tax-deductible donations will be taken online. Thank you for your support.

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Teen Marathon (12-17-2010)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

Training for a marathon is painful, but it is necessary to get the runner in shape and ready to run the race.

I often see parents who fail to enforce discipline because their teen may suffer some form of temporary pain from the consequences. Doing so, they allow their teen to get fat and lazy, so when the race of life starts they fall flat on their faces.

A truly caring parent, like a good coach, will prepare their teen before they run a marathon. The temporary pain of discipline and training is soon forgotten, and for the rest of their life their child will thank you for helping them get in proper shape to run life’s marathon.

Guide Your Teen (12-16-2010)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

Too many teens today are being prepared to live in the comfort of a zoo, instead of surviving in the jungle.

Parents act like zookeepers when they try to eliminate every bad influence that can touch their teenager’s life.  Being overly protective can actually leave the teen unprepared to live in the jungle when they head out on their own.

Instead, teens do better if they are taught about the world they will eventually be living in. Be their survival guide by showing them the pitfalls and dangers to avoid, and how to care for and protect themselves. Teach them how to survive in the jungle, for their days of living in the zoo are quickly coming to an end.

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CHRISTMAS GIFT:  Some have asked how they can support the efforts of our Heartlight Ministries Foundation to help parents and teens. We have prepared a link to a secure place where tax-deductible donations will be taken online. Thank you for your support.

Give a Tax-Deductible Gift

Expectations Of Your Teen (12-15-2010)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

What do you expect of your teenager?  Is it too much, or too little?

There is nothing wrong with expecting your teen to do well.  In fact, a teen needs to understand what you reasonably expect of him, and that will push him toward reaching higher.

But the focus of your relationship should never be about his success or failures. There is no place in a parent-child relationship for performance.

So make sure your teen knows that your love and approval of him is not based on his looks, actions, or successes in life.  In fact, it has nothing to do with his performance, and everything to do with the fact that you are his mom or dad.

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CHRISTMAS GIFT:  Some have asked how they can support the efforts of our Heartlight Ministries Foundation to help parents and teens. We have prepared a link to a secure place where tax-deductible donations will be taken online. Thank you for your support.

Give a Tax-Deductible Gift

Relational Savings Account (12-14-2010)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

Much is being said today about the economy and the need to save money, but let me ask this…what is your relational savings account looking like?

Having a solid relationship with your teen is like making deposits to a savings account.  You add to it every time you give of your time, energy and wisdom.  In the future your investment in your teen’s life will compound the form of responsibility, maturity, and mutual respect.

Parents who invest themselves in a relational savings plan have something to draw upon when tough times come. So think about that when you plan your week, and find time to invest this week, one-on-one, in your relationship with each of your children.

Teens and Life Experience (12-13-2010)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

I love the wit of Mark Twain, who said, “Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.”

When a teen begins to take more responsibility and control of things in his life, he will make mistakes.  And he’ll need your support when he fails, misjudges, or blows it.

Fact is, it’s a good sign when your teen struggles a bit in order to meet your expectations – because it means they are taking their new responsibilities seriously.

So, let your words become flesh at times like these, and become a loving, supportive guide.  Deepen your relationship with your child by sticking with him, even when growing in maturity and responsibility also means making lots of mistakes.

WEEKEND: Lopsided Discipline (12-11-2010)

HALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY:

What happens when one parent is always the disciplinarian and the other watches passively from a distance?  Lopsided discipline can bring chaos to a home and marriage.  This edition of Parenting Today’s Teens features Mark Gregston’s helpful perspective on partnership and discipline.

Alternately, you can listen to this broadcast here:  http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/parenting-todays-teens-weekend/

When Teens Act Stupid (12-10-2010)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

One of my favorite lines from a movie was in the 1949 film, “Sands of Iwo Jima,” where John Wayne said, “Life is tough, but it’s tougher when you’re stupid.”

When a teen commits a stupid and unthinking act, parents can sometimes think it is rebellion, when the teen isn’t rebelling against them at all. He’s just acting stupid. And he knows it, even if he won’t admit it.

Stupidity cannot be reasoned with, so all a parent can do is to allow tough consequences to do the teaching. Once the teen realizes that they are just bringing troubles on themselves, they’ll begin making less stupid mistakes, for life is already tough enough without adding more troubles to it.

Praise Your Teen’s Progress (12-9-2010)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

A wise way to help a teen learn to behave responsibly, is to reward them, and praise their progress.

Encouraging your child in making good decisions will go a long way toward building up their desire to continue making wise choices. So, be on the lookout!

And when they get it right – Approve!  Applaud!  Tell them how proud you are that they are growing up and acting more responsibly.

The point is this, pay attention to their successes in making good decisions, not just their successes in sports or academics. When they have occasion to act with maturity and responsibility, immediately let them know about it, and find ways to give them more freedoms as their reward.