Are You Passing on Bad Habits to Your Teens?

Are You Passing on Bad Habits to Your Teens?

Author: Mark Gregston March 16, 2026 Duration: 28:57

In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight counselor Courtney Lafleur explore ways parents pass down bad habits to their teens — from being overly critical and avoiding conflict to setting unrealistic expectations. They offer practical advice for recognizing these patterns, reversing their impact and healing parent-teen relationships. We also hear from a Heartlight teen, who bravely shares her journey through addiction, family trauma, and the lessons she's learned about self-worth and breaking cycles. Don't miss these relatable stories and actionable steps for parents to leave a positive legacy for their teens.

Did you know Heartlight offers counseling and experienced residential staff as a resource to help parents walk through challenging times? Learn more at parentingtodaysteens.org/coaching

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. 


Raising a teenager can feel like navigating uncharted territory every single day. Parenting Today's Teens is here to walk that path with you, offering a steady voice amid the chaos. Mark Gregston brings more than four decades of direct experience working with families to each conversation, translating complex adolescent behaviors into understandable insights. You’ll hear honest discussions about defiance, screen time, emotional withdrawal, and the search for identity, all framed with a perspective that is both pragmatic and hopeful. This isn’t about quick fixes or perfect formulas; it’s about building a lasting, authentic connection with your teen even when it’s difficult. Mark’s approach is grounded in real-world application, offering strategies you can consider and adapt the very same day. The podcast draws from a well of wisdom that respects the spiritual and personal growth of the entire family, recognizing that parenting a teen often means revisiting your own beliefs and reactions. Tune in for a resource that feels like a thoughtful conversation with a trusted guide, one that acknowledges the struggles while consistently pointing toward practical solutions and renewed understanding for the modern parent.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Parenting Today's Teens
Podcast Episodes
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It’s easy to fall into the trap of criticizing “kids these days.” But how you view the younger generation will shape the kind of relationship you have with them. In this episode, Mark and Wayne are joined by Heartlight C…
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In this episode, Mark shares a deeply personal devotional about the challenges parents face when their teens make decisions that go against family values or wound their hearts. Mark explores how parents can maintain mean…
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Most struggling teens hold a story inside their hearts: a story of searching, hurt and hope. In today’s episode, Mark sits down with two Heartlight teens who open up about their personal battles with loneliness, depressi…
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Duration: 28:55
In this episode, Mark and Wayne talk about the profound impact that tough parenting decisions can have on a family's future. Through personal stories — including Mark's life-saving decision for his daughter decades ago —…
Navigating Teen Romance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:02
In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight counselor Courtney Lafleur tackle teens and dating, exploring what it means for parents to set realistic boundaries and stay involved as their children begin to experience roma…
Stop Controlling and Start Trusting Your Teen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:27
In this eye-opening episode, Mark dives deep into a common parenting dilemma — striking the right balance between guidance and control as teens seek independence. Drawing from a real-life story of a family whose well-int…
Teen Stories: Out of Control [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:43
When life feels unpredictable, teens often seek control in unexpected ways. On today’s episode, Mark sits down with two young women at Heartlight who share how loss and longing for independence shaped their choices. One…
I Mustache Mark a Question: Balancing Boundaries and Building Trust [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:51
In this episode, Mark tackles some more tough questions parents are asking about raising teens in today's rapidly changing world. From navigating conversations about sexuality and social media's impact on relationships,…