Parenting Today's Teens

Loving Your Teen Beyond Their Mistakes

Every parent wants the best for their teen. But could high expectations unintentionally leave them wondering if your love depends on their performance? In this episode, M

Teen Stories: When Home Is a Battleground

Every family has its battles, but for some teens, the struggle goes way beyond curfews and chores. In today’s episode, Mark talks with two Heartlight teens who open up ab

The Grandparent Advantage

Grandparents have a unique opportunity to influence the next generation in ways few others can. In this episode, Mark and Wayne explore the unique role grandparents play

I Mustache Mark a Question: Discipline, Depression and Digital Dilemmas

In this Q&A episode, Mark dives into some more of your toughest parenting questions — tackling everything from handling teen anger and destructive behavior to navigating

Four Things Every Teen Needs From Their Parents

Your teen may not always know how to say it, but they're longing for more than rules, advice and correction. Mark and Wayne explore four things every teen deeply desires

Does Your Teen Feel They Have to Earn Your Love?

In this episode, Mark challenges parents to examine whether their words and actions unintentionally communicate that love is conditional. Through the heartbreaking story

Teen Stories: When Secrets Take Over

Sometimes the battles our teens face are hidden — masked by distance, secrecy and behaviors we struggle to understand. On today’s show, Mark and Courtney sit down with tw

Helping Your Teen Survive the School Year

For many teens, going back to school means far more than buying new supplies and settling into a routine. It also brings pressure, comparison, loneliness and other new ch

I Mustache Mark a Question: Open Doors, Open Minds and Challenging Choices

In this Q&A episode, Mark dives into more pressing parenting questions, covering everything from enforcing boundaries with teens who push limits to navigating tough conve

The Parenting Mistake That Prevents Growth

No parent wants to see their teen suffer. But could protecting them from every hardship actually keep them from growing? In this episode, Mark and Wayne discuss the impor

Don’t Save the Best for Last

What are you saving for someday that could be enriching your relationships today? Mark reflects on how quickly life passes and why the greatest inheritance we leave isn’t

Teen Stories: Healing Starts With Honest Conversations

When life gets tough at home, teens can end up feeling alone and misunderstood — even by those who love them most. In today’s episode, Mark talks with two Heartlight resi

Wisdom in the World of Foolishness

Your teen still needs your wisdom, even when it seems like they no longer want your advice. In this episode, Mark and Wayne discuss how parents can remain a trusted voice

I Mustache Mark a Question: Video Games, Tattoos and Troubled Teens

In today's Q&A episode, Mark tackles topics like handling teens who are hooked on video games, managing tech boundaries when consequences have been lacking and helping ki

How Your Imperfections Can Help Your Teen

Do your teens think they have to be perfect ... or do they know it's safe to make mistakes at home? Mark and Wayne discuss why striving for a "perfect family" can uninten

When You Feel Like Giving Up on Your Teen

When your teen is struggling, it's easy to wonder if anything you're doing is making a difference. In this episode, Mark offers a heartfelt devotional for parents who fee

Teen Stories: When It Feels Like No One Gets You

When you feel misunderstood at home and overwhelmed by the pressures of life, it's hard not to sink into despair ... but someone lending a listening ear can make all the

Cell Phones and Teens: Where Do You Draw the Line?

When is the right time to give your child a cell phone? And how can you help them use it wisely? Mark and Wayne discuss practical strategies for preparing kids to navigat

I Mustache Mark a Question: Divorce, Digital Dangers and Difficult Kids

In this week's Q&A episode, Mark tackles topics like guiding a 16-year-old boy struggling with pornography, supporting a daughter diagnosed with depression and mood disor

When Church Feels Like a Chore

What should you do when your teen no longer wants to go to church? Mark and Wayne explore why many teenagers begin losing interest in church during adolescence, and why t