Emptying the Nest

Forgiveness

Fathers and Children: The Beginning of a New Conversation

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on August 3, 2026

Sometimes the most healing words are not spoken but heard. When fathers listen without explaining themselves, old wounds begin to soften, and there is hope for a new beginning.

Sometimes the most healing words are not spoken but heard. When fathers listen without explaining themselves, old wounds begin to soften, and there is hope for a new beginning.

Forgiveness

When Regret Finds Its Voice

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on July 27, 2026

Regret becomes transformative when fathers move beyond private reflection and courageously revisit painful moments with their children, replacing silence with understanding.

Regret becomes transformative when fathers move beyond private reflection and courageously revisit painful moments with their children, replacing silence with understanding.

Parenting

Listening to the Father Within

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on July 23, 2026

Regret becomes transformative when fathers replace condemnation with curiosity. Through exploring what is hidden beneath parenting mistakes, healing can begin.

Regret becomes transformative when fathers replace condemnation with curiosity. Through exploring what is hidden beneath parenting mistakes, healing can begin.

Shame

Fathers: Looking Back Without Looking Away

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on June 25, 2026

As fathers reflect on the parents they have been, the regret that they encounter can set them on a pathway toward humility, compassion, growth, and meaningful relational healing.

As fathers reflect on the parents they have been, the regret that they encounter can set them on a pathway toward humility, compassion, growth, and meaningful relational healing.

Parenting

A Necessary Ache in Fatherhood

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on June 5, 2026

Regret, though painful, is one of fatherhood’s greatest teachers, awakening men to their shortcomings, guiding them toward repair, and helping them to become wiser parents.

Regret, though painful, is one of fatherhood’s greatest teachers, awakening men to their shortcomings, guiding them toward repair, and helping them to become wiser parents.

Parenting

When Fathers Begin to See the Light

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on May 21, 2026

Self-awareness can become the foundation for reconciliation, healing, and renewed intimacy between fathers and their young adult children.

Self-awareness can become the foundation for reconciliation, healing, and renewed intimacy between fathers and their young adult children.

Parenting

Failure, Forgiveness, and Emotional Inheritance in Fatherhood

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on May 20, 2026

Fathers launching young adult children must embrace rather than renounce their past and present imperfections in order to leave behind a more loving intergenerational legacy.

Fathers launching young adult children must embrace rather than renounce their past and present imperfections in order to leave behind a more loving intergenerational legacy.

Parenting

Waking Up Daddy

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on May 18, 2026

When fathers engage in an honest, courageous self-examination, it can open the door to healing, reconciliation, and a deeper connection with their young adult.

When fathers engage in an honest, courageous self-examination, it can open the door to healing, reconciliation, and a deeper connection with their young adult.

Identity

Safe Spaces: Fathers Always Matter to Their LGBTQ+ Children

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on June 30, 2025

While acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals has increased, challenges persist. Here's how fathers can help their LGBTQ+ young adult meet those challenges.

While acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals has increased, challenges persist. Here's how fathers can help their LGBTQ+ young adult meet those challenges.

Gender

Falling Behind: Struggling Young Men in Today’s Workforce

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on May 19, 2025

Young men continue to lag when it comes to education, employment and health. Fathers may be the most valuable resource to help reverse these trends.

Young men continue to lag when it comes to education, employment and health. Fathers may be the most valuable resource to help reverse these trends.

Parenting

The Hidden Power of a Paternal Blessing

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on May 15, 2025

Fathers need not be religious to bless their children on the cusp of adulthood. Blessings can foster hope, strengthen bonds, and enhance belonging.

Fathers need not be religious to bless their children on the cusp of adulthood. Blessings can foster hope, strengthen bonds, and enhance belonging.

Family Dynamics

Daddy-Come-Lately: Is It Possible to Parent in Reverse?

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on May 5, 2025

When dads have not consistently prioritized an emotional connection with their children, it is hard to suddenly shift gears and find that connection as the nest begins to empty.

When dads have not consistently prioritized an emotional connection with their children, it is hard to suddenly shift gears and find that connection as the nest begins to empty.

Parenting

Designing Destiny: Parenthood Behind the Genetic Screen

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on May 1, 2025

The challenges of parenthood cannot be eliminated through controlling genetic outcomes. This becomes most evident as young adults embark on their sometimes unexpected journeys.

The challenges of parenthood cannot be eliminated through controlling genetic outcomes. This becomes most evident as young adults embark on their sometimes unexpected journeys.

Parenting

Empty Nest, Empty Heart

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on April 28, 2025

Sometimes the most difficult part of being a father takes place in the final chapter of childrearing.

Sometimes the most difficult part of being a father takes place in the final chapter of childrearing.

Parenting

How Fathers Can Evolve Along With Their Young Adult Children

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on April 21, 2025

Understanding the kind of father you have been in the past in enables you to become the father your young adult needs in the present and future.

Understanding the kind of father you have been in the past in enables you to become the father your young adult needs in the present and future.

Parenting

Father Time: How Dads Can Support Young Adults' Growth and Autonomy

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on April 14, 2025

An honest self-appraisal of the kind of father you have been can help you to finish the job right.

An honest self-appraisal of the kind of father you have been can help you to finish the job right.

Family Dynamics

How Money History Can Eliminate Money Mystery

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on May 2, 2024

You can't finish the job of launching young adults without addressing their finances. But that process can only proceed when parents address financial matters with each other.

You can't finish the job of launching young adults without addressing their finances. But that process can only proceed when parents address financial matters with each other.

Family Dynamics

Money May Talk, But What Is It Saying and Who Is Listening?

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on March 26, 2024

Effective financial communication is key when parents are launching young adults.

Effective financial communication is key when parents are launching young adults.

Parenting

Show Me the Money—and Deciding How Much Money to Show

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on March 19, 2024

Money is one of the primary sources of conflict in the co-parenting relationship. Resolving those conflicts is a necessary step toward successfully launching young adults.

Money is one of the primary sources of conflict in the co-parenting relationship. Resolving those conflicts is a necessary step toward successfully launching young adults.

Adolescence

How Financial Support May Affect Emotional Maturity

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on February 11, 2024

Financial management and emotional management are intimately connected. To use money well in the launching phase, we need to be aware of the emotions associated with providing it.

Financial management and emotional management are intimately connected. To use money well in the launching phase, we need to be aware of the emotions associated with providing it.