Patrick A. Coleman
Patrick Coleman, a father of two, joined Fatherly in 2016 as the site’s first Parenting Editor, having worked previously as Editor-In-Chief for the Norwood Post, Food Editor of the Portland Mercury and City Editor for Thrillist.com. He used his extensive experience as a journalist to build the brand’s core of research-based child wellness, and parenting articles. His work at Fatherly has put him in conversation with some of the world’s preeminent child health, development and parenting experts including Yale University’s Sterling Professor of Psychology and Child Psychiatry Dr. Alan Kazdin, 2017 Time Person of the Year Dr. Celeste Kidd of UC Berkeley's Kidd Labb and Director of the Vaccine Education Center Dr. Paul A. Offit. With over five years of inquiry, study and conversations about parenting issues (a great deal of which he has applied to his own family), Coleman has built an uncommon understanding of what it takes to raise good kids. He uses this to offer advice as The Goodfather and has co-authored and edited Fatherly's first Parenting book Fatherhood. With his unique reporting and research, Coleman's work expands on a central thesis that raising good kids is less about practical advice and tactics than it is about working to become a better man and partner with a strong sense of values. He lives with his family in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
When Can You Pierce A Baby's Ears? A Pediatrician Explains
There are some ground rules to baby ear piecing, but for the most part it’s totally safe.
I Don’t Spank My Kids, But I Do Grab Them Sometimes. Does It Matter?
A dad wonders if he crossed the line with his discipline habits.
9 Words Parents Should Never Call Their Kids
The rhyme says “words will never hurt me,” but when said to children, these could cause damage.
What A Child Learns When You Make Empty Threats
When a parent makes grand threats they know they’ll never follow up on, a kid stops being socialized and starts getting sneaky.
How To Be A Funny Dad Without Teasing Your Kids
When teasing kids, even the most obvious jests are lost on them and internalized.
Spanking Is Physical Abuse, Study Shows
Researcher says that drawing the line between spanking and physical abuse is "theoretically impossible."
The 7 Big Benefits Of Rough-And-Tumble Play With Your Kids
They're going to have to get smart to take you down. Literally.
Why Do Pregnant Women Crave Dirt?
Don’t let her eat it, no matter how hard she insists.
I Parented Like It Was The ’80s For A Week And Realized I’d Rather Helicopter
Taking a cue from my parents, I let my kids run amok.
3 Easy Steps To Early Potty Training Inspired By World Cultures
Techniques from around the globe and three steps to early dryness.
How To Talk To Young Kids About Racism And Racial Bias
Two specific questions can get the ball rolling for parents hesitant to talk about race.
How To Raise A Skeptical Kid Without Raising A Cynic
The world is slick with snake oil. Teach your kid to be smart out there.
When Do Babies Start Sitting Up?
Not all babies start sitting up in the same time frame. What's more important is the way they go about trying to do so.
7 Common Car Seat Mistakes You Might Not Know You’re Making
Read the dang manual.
Is Sitting On A Toilet For Too Long Bad For Your Health?
Hanging out on the toilet is cool, as long as it’s not all sweating and pushing.
What Parents Are Getting Wrong About Screen Time
The argument against screen time has become a moral panic that doesn't help anyone.
A Child Psychologist On How Parents Can Survive Temper Tantrums
Tantrums are difficult for parents and children, but with a foundation of knowledge and a few pointed tactics, the meltdown can be managed with ease.
What Is Stimming And When Is It A Significant Child Behavior?
Every child will engage in repetitive stimulating behaviors known as stimming — only a few will be autistic.
I Do Half The Chores And Bring Home More Than Half The Pay. Isn’t That Enough?
A hardworking dad asks why doing half of the chores isn't enough in the eyes of his wife.
8 Ways To Get Your Kids To Start Cleaning Up After Themselves
Mighty tidy tips.
