Teen Stories: Breaking Through Isolation

In today's episode, Mark Gregston dives into some of the toughest questions parents face with their teenagers today. From encouraging faith in a 17-year-old son who resists reading the Bible, to setting boundaries with a 19-year-old daughter living at home and finding the balance when communicating with college-aged children, Mark offers practical advice rooted in real-life experiences. He explores the impact of shaming, the challenges of parenting twins with different levels of maturity and how to maintain healthy relationships even as families navigate new dynamics.

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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, Wayne Shepherd and Courtney Lafleur explain that effective discipline flows out of a healthy relationship, not anger or authority alone. Parents often lean too far into being either tough or tender, but teens need a balanced blend of strength, gentleness, listening and compassion. True authority comes from connection, not control, and the goal is to reflect Gods character firm when necessary, but tender, patient and relational at heart. Mark encourages parents to examine their own reactions, seek honest feedback, and pursue counseling if needed so they can model the calm, balanced strength their teens require.

If you're struggling raising your teen, Mark has many resources designed to help! Visit parentingtodaysteens.org to explore blogs, podcasts, books and more.

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. 

Mark Gregston shares how unexpected setbacks including getting fired became the catalyst for founding Heartlight Ministries and beginning a lifelong journey to genuineness. As he reflects on rejection, pride and unresolved personal issues, he encourages parents to consider how their own wounds and blind spots may be influencing their parenting. Mark urges moms and dads of struggling teens to start by looking inward, examining motives, addressing past hurts and embracing authenticity before focusing on their childs behavior. Ultimately, he reminds parents that self-reflection and healing can lead to a more grounded relationship with their teens.

To learn more about Heartlight and see if this ministry can help you and your struggling teen, please visit 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. 

Navigating the teen years can sometimes mean facing invisible walls barriers of isolation, anger or uncertainty about how to let others in. Today, Mark sits down with two young men from Heartlight who share honest accounts of what shut them off from their families and peers. For Harry, the struggle was with isolation and the challenge of making real-world connections after a hard move and ongoing depression. For Jacob, mounting anger and hurt from family wounds led him down a path of rebellion and risky choices. What ties their stories together isn't just what pushed them away it's how they're learning to let genuine connection in. 

Interested in learning more about the Heartlight residential 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. 

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.