Survival Tips for Parents of Teens (Special Podcast Highlight)

Morning Air

Are you bracing yourself for the teen years? Buckle up, because John Morales and Sarah Tafoya sat down with Danielle Bean on Morning Air to talk about the ups and downs of raising teens. Danielle, mom of eight kids (yes, eight!), dropped some serious wisdom on surviving these years without losing your mind—or your faith.

Here’s the scoop:

Teens = Big Attitudes

Danielle doesn’t sugarcoat it; teens definitely develop an attitude (or two!). But instead of seeing it as terrifying, she reframes it: it’s a sign of growth! Teens are figuring out who they are, which is awkward for everyone. As parents, it's our job to support them as they grow.

How to Break Through the Silence

We all know the "How was school?" conversation that ends with a one-word answer: "Fine." Danielle recommends getting creative with your questions.

Try:

"What was the best part of your day?"

"Who’s your closest friend and why?"

When all else fails, do something active with them: playing sports, cooking, or even a project can get the conversation flowing when sitting face-to-face feels too intense.

Pray, Pray, and Pray Some More

Feeling like you’re losing control? That's where prayer comes in. Danielle urges parents to be “prayer warriors” for their teens. You can't control everything they face, but you can entrust them to God and their guardian angels. Seriously, praying for your teen’s angel is a game-changer, especially when you can't be there in person.

Balance Freedom and Rules

Yes, teens need space. Yes, they need boundaries. It's a dance, like when John shared how he and his son hit the batting cages together, mixing fun with father-son bonding. Or when it comes to screens and phones, Danielle says delay it as long as possible. Teens might push back, but that's okay! "If your teen is happy with all your rules, you might be doing something wrong," she jokes (but also… she’s kinda serious!).

Final words of wisdom: Don’t freak out! God handpicked you to be the parent of your teen. Lean into His grace, keep praying, and remember: you’re shaping them into the person God wants them to be. You’ve got this!