Getting Help (1-16-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

The teen years always bring with them a measure of turbulence.  But as a parent, you need to discern when the bumps are a passing inconvenience… or a major warning sign.

When your son or daughter struggles for more freedom or makes mistakes that put you on edge… that’s entirely natural.  But if they’re causing harm to themselves or those around them, it’s time to get help.

So watch for signs such as marks on their body.  Or take a look at the interactions they’re having online.  When you come across dangerous behavior… don’t be afraid to call in the experts.

It may be a counselor.  Your pastor.  Or even the police.  But when your gut instincts are shooting off flares …don’t wait.  Get help.  Right away.

In the Long Run (1-16-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

What do you want your kids to be like in ten or fifteen years?  What qualities are you hoping they’ll acquire?  With that in mind… how should you train your child today… to reach that long- range goal?

As a mom or dad of a teenager, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day pressures of managing a family.  So …take a step back …and remember the goal.  Your target should be to raise a responsible adult… not necessarily a compliant teenager.

So when you’re in the heat of the battle …keep your eyes on the horizon.  A weak and docile teenager might simplify your life.  But becoming a responsible adult is far better.  And some days … it may get messy.

Hang in there.  Your hard work will deliver rich rewards!

WEEKEND: Teaching Purity in a Culture That Doesn’t Care (1-14-2012)

HALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY:

The media, peers and the culture at large communicate to teens that experimenting sexually is natural and expected. So how can moms and dads uphold purity in the lives of their kids? Mark Gregston shares helpful ideas for teaching purity in a culture that doesn’t care, on this edition of Parenting Today’s Teens.

Special Guest:  Tim Smith

Seduction Fad (1-13-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

I hear from a lot of concerned parents who feel their teenage girls dress too seductively.  They wonder how to deal with the issue of modesty when young ladies are pressured to show off their physical attributes.

Teens today live in a world of sexual innuendo… where outward packaging and presentation is all important.  And if your teen jumps on the bandwagon, it doesn’t necessarily mean that her character is flawed.  It just means she’s following a fad… trying on a role during the stage of adolescence.

My advice to parents is this:  Don’t flip out when your daughter is just trying to fit in.  Rather, calmly and consistently address the more important issue of modesty.  Then, make sure she understands that your family values won’t be compromised.  No matter how cool the fad!

Talk About It (1-12-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

It’s a topic many of us would rather dodge.  It can make both parents and children alike squirm.

I’m talking about our sexually- charged culture.  The temptations for inappropriate sexual expression and experimentation abound.  And though it’s easier to assume that your kids are making right choices… there’s no substitute for a healthy one- on- one conversation.

Mom.  Dad.  Your kids are getting bombarded by innuendo all day long.  Take some control and have the conversation!  Empower your kids to make wise choices by opening up the dialogue at home.  No subject should be off limits in the safety of their relationship with you.

How soon?  At what age to you broach the subject?  That’s a question you have to answer.  But I’ll tell you this.  It’s probably sooner than you think!

Agent of Change (1-11-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

Mom …dad …let me guess… if you have teens under your roof, I’ll venture to say that conflict is a regular part of your home.  Right?

Whether it comes in the form of intense debate … or even prolonged silence… there’s no getting around the natural tension in any family.  It’s just part of life.

So every parent needs to decide ahead of time …how will you respond when things get messy? A good intentional plan will help you keep your cool …and also help your kids learn to deal with inevitable conflicts that await them in the real world.

Make no mistake.  You don’t do your kids any favors by teaching them to run from disagreements.  When you disengage from conflict… the greatest agent of change has just left the building!

The Stabilizing Factor (1-10-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

If you have a teenager living in your household, you know what I mean by this one word:  drama.  Yep …drama comes with adolescence!

Remember the good ol’ days?  When you were a teen… you had lots of ups and downs.  Relationships, hormonal changes and general turmoil… it made for some volatile years!

Well, that roller coaster ride of yesteryear has only intensified today.

But as a parent, you can counteract those forces.  Choose to be consistent in your rules and boundaries.  Look for ways to ask relevant questions that don’t come across as judgmental.  And don’t be a “buddy” to your kid.  You’ll only add to the drama!

Instead, absorb the highs and lows of adolescence.  And be a stabilizing force in your home!

Clear Boundaries (1-09-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

Would you describe your home life as chaotic?  Perhaps a little confusing at times?

Let me ask another question.  Do you have clear boundaries in your home?  And if you do… does every member of the family know where the lines are drawn?

I’ve met a lot of moms and dads who want rules and boundaries enforced, but the kids aren’t clear about the expectations.  That simply leads to confusion and chaos.

Teens need boundaries explained to them.  And they need the consequences for crossing those boundaries laid out on a regular basis.  So here’s the equation I’d recommend for your home:  Add clear boundaries… and subtract the strictness.  Loosen up a little.

It’s a proven formula to drain the chaos from your home!

What to Do When a Teen Runs Away (01-07-2012)

HALF-HOUR PODCAST SUMMARY:

Every year, more than one million teens run away from home in the United States.  Most return home within a few hours… but some never return, leaving parents heartbroken.  On this edition of Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston talks about what to do when a teen runs away, then shares helpful insights for welcoming them back home again.

Waiting for a Runaway (01-06-2012)

PODCAST SCRIPT:

Every day around the world… thousands of teens run away from home.  No two cases are the same… but all parents who’ve been abandoned feel a deep sense of pain and failure.

If you’ve ever had a child run away from home, you know the heartache that consumes you.  There’s nothing like the loneliness of a quiet household… and the unanswered phone calls.

Though I can’t bring your child home… I can encourage you with this:  the principles you’ve instilled in your teen have not been wasted.  The seeds you’ve sown in his life will come to fruition… just as the Bible promised.

Waiting for that return on investment… and the homecoming of your prodigal… will never be easy.  It’s your choice to wait patiently for the runaway… and cling to hope.