Pushing to Perform (1-31-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

Is your son self- motivated?  Does your daughter take her education seriously?

Getting your child to complete his homework or attend all his classes might be like pulling teeth.  It’s frustrating.  Most likely, you’re tired of pushing him to perform better… and he’s digging his heels in because he feels manipulated.

My advice is to make a serious evaluation of your own expectations for your child.  Are you projecting your own desires on your son or daughter.  Hey … hand the outcome of their education over to them!

No doubt …you’ll run into bumps in the road.  And you won’t always see the grades you’d like.  But over time your child will learn to self- manage… to set goals… and achieve them!

Grades Don’t Equal Value (1-30-2011)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

Think about the last time you opened your son or daughter’s report card.  Do you remember how you responded to their academic performance?

Whether you saw straight A’s… C’s, D’s or F’s… you had a choice in that moment about how to value your teen.  See, grades are important.  But we can’t forget that marks don’t determine a child’s value.  Their worth is not measured by their GPA.  And while it’s important to do well… it shouldn’t overshadow our relationship.

My challenge to you is to look at the next report card… take a deep breath… then encourage your child in whatever way possible.  Help ‘em work hard at school… but be sure they know that you’ll love them no matter what … whether A’s or F’s… or anything in between.

WEEKEND: Signs of Drug Use (1-28-2012)

HALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY:

Most parents never expect their teens to get involved with drugs.  But with growing trends of drug use, moms and dads are caught off guard.  Mark Gregston helps parents recognize the signs of drug use on this edition of Parenting Today’s Teens.

Positive and Negative of Peer Pressure (1-27-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

Peer pressure.  It’s a natural part of life.  We face it… and our kids face it, too.

The desire to fit in with others isn’t relegated to a certain age bracket.  And it can be a positive thing… especially when you’re surrounded by people who want to do the right thing.

But as mom and dads know so well… peer pressure can push our kids to do stuff they’d never do otherwise.  When our teens surround themselves with friends of questionable character… their convictions get compromised.  It’s not a conscious choice to disregard your values and priorities… they just desperately want to fit in.

As a mom or dad, you need to understand the nature of the battle.  Work to establish a solid relationship with your teen.  Help them find their way …in a world that’s working against them!

A Place to Belong (1-26-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

One of the most powerful influences on young people today is their need to belong… to fit in and to be accepted by their peers.

Research shows that the need to belong is growing… but a sense of true belonging can’t be bought.  You don’t get it from Facebook or texting.  A sense of community is taught, nurtured and modeled.  And if teens don’t find a sense of belonging in their own family… they’ll start looking in all the wrong places!

I’ve worked with thousands of kids over the years and most of them are acting out of some kind of loss… or a need to belong that was unfulfilled.

Make your home a place where the entire family knows they have a place.  Give unconditional love and encouragement… making sure your teen doesn’t go elsewhere to find acceptance!

Forgiveness in the Family (1-25-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

Hey, mom and dad.  Are you holding a grudge against one of your kids?  Did your son or daughter mess up …and you’re still holding their mistake over their head?

No relationship can thrive without a spirit of grace and forgiveness.  As parents, we need to acknowledge the pain that comes when our kids fail to meet our expectations.  And we need to realize that withholding forgiveness builds a huge barrier between us …and those we otherwise love.

Do some inventory today.  Think about the ways you might be causing your child to pay for the pain they’ve caused.  How ‘bout burying the hatchet?  Don’t you think it’s time?  Let ‘em know that it’s over …and you love them unconditionally.

God did it for you.  Let’s do it for our kids!

Waking Up to Drug Use (1-24-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

When it comes to taking drugs, most parents never envision their kid will drink booze, smoke pot …or take pills.

I’ve seen too many unsuspecting parents… moms and dads  convinced their teen’s not the type to try drugs… discover just the opposite.  Experimentation is no longer just something the bad kids do.  It’s everywhere.  So you need to know how to spot whether your child is using drugs.

Watch for a sudden and drastic changes in your teenager’s honesty, grades, behavior, attentiveness or friends.  And the substance abuse may start with things you have in your kitchen, medicine cabinet or garage.

Even if you have the best kids in the world… stay alert!  Keep your eyes wide open.  And don’t let your naiveté keep you from being the protective parent your child desperately needs.

Pulling Away from Teens (1-23-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

Have you ever experienced that knee-jerk reaction… when your child has done something goofy …unacceptable …and your first reaction is to pull away?  Sure you have.  I have, too.

We’re human.  And when someone hurts us… especially someone we love… it’s natural to clam up.  But avoiding the issues can have a disastrous impact.  In fact, we become the consequence for their actions… when we pull away.  That’s entirely unproductive.

Mom.  Dad.  Though it’s hard, decide right now that you’ll continue to move toward your child whenever they disappoint you.  Reinforce that there’s nothing they can do to make you love them less… and there’s nothing they can do to make you love them more.

Don’t pull away.  Draw them in.

WEEKEND: Cutting & Self-Harm (1-21-2012)

HALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY:

When a parent discovers that their son or daughter is inflicting physical self-harm, it’s alarming.  But most likely this behavior points to an even greater issue lying beneath the behavior.  On this edition of Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston helps moms and dads get to the root of a teen’s cutting and self-harm.

Special Guest: Deedee Mayer

What’s Normal? (1-20-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

When it comes to your teen’s behavior… how’s a mom or dad supposed to discern what’s normal … and what’s abnormal?

That may seem like a loaded question.  But let’s take a minute and separate the two.

It’s normal for teens to fail to do their chores without ten reminders… to put off homework… to get emotional and to listen to music that’s too loud.  It’s normal for them to question authority, even though it drives you crazy.

But abnormal behavior needs to be addressed.  It shows up as sudden and profound personality swings… extreme disrespect for people and things… eating disorders or self harm.

If your teen falls into the “abnormal” category… I’d encourage you to take action.  And it all begins by seeking professional help.