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Stops and Starts for Parenting Teens

Parents who are dealing with an out of control teenager tell me that they just don’t know what to do anymore.  They’ve tried everything they can think of, but things keep getting worse, not better.  When they ask for my advice, we start looking at the situation from a wider angle to set the stage for working with the teenager.  So, I tell them something like this…

If you believe God is in control of all things, then your situation is not hopeless. And, we can help you get through it. But a first step is to look to see if God may be calling you to do something different in your own life.  This isn’t to say that you’ve caused the current problem, but what you do and don’t do now can be a catalyst for it continuing, or getting to the other side of it.

Another way to say it, is that doing something different can involve stopping and starting…

STOP LECTURING…START LISTENING

STOP ANSWERING…START ASKING

STOP WORRYING…START PRAYING

STOP FROWNING…START LAUGHING

STOP CONTROLLING…START RELEASING

STOP REACTING…START RESPONDING

STOP PUNISHING…START DISCIPLINING

STOP RULING…START ENFORCING

STOP TEACHING…START TRUSTING

STOP ENDING…START BEGINNING

STOP TALKING…START HEARING

STOP DECIDING…START EMPOWERING

STOP DOING…START BEING

Here at Heartlight we help people make positive stops and starts in their life — for both parents and teenagers. We’re here to help you if you are at a crossroads.

By the way, I’ve written articles in my blog over the last year on every “stop” and “start” subject I’ve listed.  You can read them all at www.markgregston.com.

Mark Gregston

Author: Mark Gregston

Mark Gregston began working with teens more than 40 years ago as a youth minister and Young Life director. He has authored nearly two dozen books, has written hundreds of articles, and is host of the nationally-acclaimed Parenting Today’s Teens podcast and radio broadcast.