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#2103 Mom, Dad, it’s never too early to start planning for the teen years! Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. When your child reaches the “tween” years, things are calm and easy … and you’re like, “Hey, I’m getting’ the hang of this parenting thing!” Hmm. Well, I hate to bust your bubble, but it’s likely “the calm before the storm”! Sure, things are flowing smoothly now … but when your teen starts craving independence, he’ll be spending more time away from home … with folks you might not know. So don’t get blindsided! Start updating your style now … to prepare for the changes coming ahead. The teen years can be bumpy. But they can be fantastic, too. So don’t fall asleep at the controls … because the storm clouds are looming. And your teen needs an alert pilot to navigate the turbulence ahead! The post The Calm Before the Storm appeared first on Heartlight Ministries.

#2102 Mom, dad, find yourself gettin’ all twisted up and worried about your teen? Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Billy Graham once said, “Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us.” Wow, that’s a convicting statement. But let’s face it … as a parent, it’s really hard not to worry about your kids! We worry about what they’re doing, where they’re at, and who they’re with. We fret over the choices they make … and lie awake at night thinking about their future. So today, if you find yourself weary from worry and overwhelmed with fear … lay it all down at God’s feet. Put your hope and trust in Him. Why? Even in the midst of chaos, God is always in control. The post Parental Anxiety appeared first on Heartlight Ministries.

Picture this: Your teen comes home two hours past curfew. You’ve been worried sick. Then he calmly waltzes in like nothing happened. Something snaps … and you start yelling. Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens. Hey, we’ve all done it. But when your teen breaks the rules, he desperately needs an adult who can respond … not react. To respond is to remain calm and offer grace and support … while still seeking to correct the behavior. To react is to get angry and emotional … and lay on the judgment. Hey, knee-jerk reactions are counterproductive … and often sabotage what you truly want to achieve. So the next time your teen crosses the line, here’s an easy three-point game plan. Stop, think, act. That means stop your mouth, think about what needs to be done … and then, and only then, speak. The post Stop. Think. Act. appeared first on Heartlight Ministries.

Student Story: Sarah | You set out to raise “perfect” children and even planned their “perfect” futures. But what happens when your “perfect” teen doesn’t turn out the way you expected? This weekend on Parenting Today’s Teens, Mark Gregston outlines the dangers of perfection and suggests creative ways to let your teen—and yourself—be imperfect. The post Creating an Imperfect Home appeared first on Heartlight Ministries.