How to Launch a Teen: Imagine an Average Day

I was halfway through the introductory chapter of the book when I decided I wanted to know more about the author.  It turns out that Brad Sachs is an interesting man.  A graduate of Brown University, he maintains a clinical psychology practice in Maryland.  He writes and lectures, particularly in the area of family life.  He is widely interviewed by the media and also writes poetry and songs.  His books and CD are available at his web site. 

I search Google Scholar and find two scholarly publications.  One in Family Therapy discusses ways that therapists can overcome resistance to family therapy, particularly in working-class fathers.  The other, appearing in Contemporary Family Therapy, examines the use of systemic family therapy in an institutional setting.

Systemic family therapies focus on relationship patterns and dynamics rather than on an individual.  Systemic therapies are practical.  These therapies acknowledge that observation influences both the observer and the observed and that creatively calling attention to patterns of behavior provides a space for changes in the interactions and patterns of relationships.

But I digress.

Let's look at that Average Day.  How many hours would you sleep?  Study?  Chill?  Was it hard to think of an average day because your days are so different?  Maybe weekdays are different from weekends because your brother is home from school.

Now I'd like for you to think about your Ideal Day.  What does it look like?  When would you sleep?  Study?  Chill?  Be with others?  Use this form to make notes about your ideal day.

And by ideal day, I don't mean an awesome day out with your friends or the schedule of your dream 21st birthday.  Just an ideal average day that goes just like you want it to from beginning to end.