I Mustache Mark a Question: Motivation, Boundaries and Mental Health

Today, join Mark Gregston, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lefleur as they discuss setting boundaries for your family. They explain that healthy boundaries start with understanding what each child truly needs and tailoring rules by age, maturity and individual challenges not just enforcing control for controls sake. Mark and Courtney emphasize focusing first on relationship, then building clear expectations, household boundaries, and rewards that encourage responsibility and independence. Ultimately, they advise parents to adjust their approach as teens grow, and create a home that offers structure, peace and a place of rest for their weary souls.

Explore all of the practical resources from Mark designed to help you as you raise your teen by visiting parentingtodaysteens.org

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org. 

Today, Mark Gregston fields real questions from parents grappling with the challenges of guiding older teens toward adulthood. Drawing from decades of experience, he addresses issues such as fostering independence in 17- and 18-year-olds, setting boundaries with troubled teens, navigating the complexities of homeschooling, and providing support for teens with depression and anxiety. Mark offers practical advice on when to let natural consequences unfold, how to motivate teens who lack drive, when to intervene and the importance of clear expectations.

Have a parenting question for Mark? Send it in at markgregston.com your question may be answered on the show!

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org. 

Many teens today grow up believing theyre owed privileges and constant attention. Today, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss how this entitlement is fueled by parents doing too much for them. Mark encourages moms and dads to shift the conversation focusing not on criticizing selfish behavior, but on helping teens grow in independence, responsibility and real-world readiness. By setting new expectations and saying no when needed, parents help their kids mature rather than stay dependent. Ultimately, breaking entitlement is a gift that prepares teens for healthy relationships, future jobs and adult life.

If your teen is struggling right now, Heartlight, our residential counseling ministry, may be able to help. Learn more by visiting heartlightministries.org

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org. 

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Teens today are growing up in a world of online communication, constant negativity and shallow expert voices leaving them hungry for real connection and honest guidance. Mark explains that parents often miss what teens truly want because they react to behavior instead of the deeper needs behind it. The nonstop criticism and shallow praise of social media make teens sensitive to correction and blind to needed truth. He urges parents to deepen relationships, engage face-to-face and speak truth in love to help their teens grow into grounded, responsible adults.

Would you like to ask Mark questions about parenting your teen? Visit markgregston.com to submit a question today!

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org. 

Many parents notice their teens acting out whether through rebellion, risky choices or shutting down but whats driving those behaviors is often a deep pain kept out of sight. On todays episode, Mark Gregston sits down with two Heartlight residents who both reveal how hurts from their past, like adoption struggles, family loss, confusion and unmet expectations, shaped their choices and relationships. Both teens share how their journey at Heartlight is helping them face whats beneath the surface, reconnect with family and begin real healing. 

Interested in learning more about the Heartlight program? Go to heartlightministries.org today!

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org.