Dr. Brad Sachs - Five More Minutes With

STUDY and LEARN

Written by Braiden on November 17, 2011

The children in my junior-high-school classes were divided into 10 sections: S-T-U-D-Y and L-E-A-R-N.

“S” and “L” were the highest sections. . .reserved for the “smart” kids. . .those with the highest grades and test scores.

I was lucky enough to be an “L” (although “luck” may be a misleading word, since I loved school and was always a dedicated student and hard worker, although very shy and insecure).

In the “S” section was a young man named Brad Sachs who was infinitely smarter, more vocal, and confident than I could ever hope to be.

In high school I continued to watch Brad mature and prosper. He struck up a particularly strong relationship with the school’s resident psychology teacher, Doc Copeland (a fixture on campus and a friend to many of his students).

And so it was no surprise when, in 2001 (30 years later), a mutual high-school friend alerted me that DR. Brad Sachs–a clinical psychologist and founder and director of The Father Center–would appear on the “Today Show” to tout his latest book, “The Good Enough Child: How to Have an Imperfect Family and Be Perfectly Satisfied.”

I tuned in that morning and guess what? The Brad of my high-school memory was all grown up! I was so proud to know the slim, good-looking, knowledgeable man who spoke with such ease during the interview. And I felt a particular kinship since we had both written several books.

I e-mailed him to congratulate him on his impressive television performance, and we chit-chatted electronically about the old ‘hood, our lives, and families.

In March 2010, right after the launch of FMMW, I got back into contact with Brad to update him on my “encore career” and find out his reaction to the new site.

Here’s what Dr. Brad Sachs was kind enough to say to me:

“It’s always nice to hear from you, but it was particularly nice to hear from you in the context of FiveMoreMinutesWith…

“I think this is a lovely and poignant idea, and I was very touched to read your description of how you and Spencer conceived of the project.

“From my personal and clinical perspective, our culture does not provide much support when it comes to learning to speak and listen to the language of grief, and endeavors such as this one remind us that mortality is our most common aspect of humanity, and that finding ways to come to terms with it, and to grow closer to each other as a result, is the best route towards a life of connection and meaning.”

So thanks, Dr. Brad, for this validation. I am glad we are back in each other’s lives.

More stories from: Featured Story,With All My Loved Ones,With You

Comments and Praise

How to Launch Your Young Adult

Written by Braiden on August 2, 2010

Brad E. Sachs, Ph.D., a friend of mine during my junior and senior high school years in suburban Philadelphia who has since become a valued aficionado of the Five More Minutes With concept and Web site, has just come out with his latest book entitled, “Emptying the Nest: Launching Your Young Adult Toward Success and Self-Reliance.”

Now Brad is the perfect person to write this tome. He’s a psychologist and author of the nationally recognized parenting books, “The Good Enough Child” and “The Good Enough Teen.” He has appeared on over 300 radio and television shows, including 20/20, The Today Show and The Diane Rehm Show. He regularly contributes to Redbook, Parenting, Parents, Child, and American Baby, and is on the faculty of the Cape Cod Institute. The father of three young adult children, he and his wife live in Columbia, Maryland.

According to a book blurb that Brad sent to me, “Today’s young adults face a tough job market and a rapidly changing world, and are often struggling to achieve financial and emotional independence well into their 20s. Dr. Sachs, a recognized parenting expert, draws on his extensive clinical experience to show parents how to cultivate their young adults’ successes and self-reliance while simultaneously maintaining healthy family relationships.”

Here are some testimonials from other leading experts:

“Brad Sachs insightfully maps out the challenging terrain of contemporary parenthood. Practical and compassionate, this book provides parents with the necessary tools to finish the job right.” — Madeline Levine, author of “The Price of Privilege”

“A ‘must-have’ for every parent seeking to foster not only self pride and independence for their adolescent/emerging adult, but for themselves as well.” — Jeffrey Bernstein, Ph.D., author of “10 Days to a Less Defiant Child”

“Brad Sachs has produced an excellent book that captures the obstacles, challenges, and joys of helping young adults achieve independence. . .a wonderful resource for parents and professionals alike.” — Robert Brooks, faculty, Harvard Medical School and coauthor of “Raising Resilient Children”

We wish Brad all the best with his latest tome, and urge you to purchase it if you have a young adult in your life. We know we’ll be picking up a copy so we can better relate to our own young-adult nephew and twin nieces.