timothy lynch, parent educator
parent education + support from birth to 7 years of age
available for one on one consultations and group classes
testimonial:
"Timothy’s group completes my experience of my daughter's Waldorf education. Every class I've picked up some absolute gems that I can use for myself to grow as a father. Timothy’s presence is exquisite. He creates a generative, lively and reverent group. I also love learning from other parents' experiences and wisdom." Srini (Parent at Berkeley Rose Waldorf School)
consultations available
the experience of parenting can often leave us feeling alienated - wondering how everyone else seems to have it together while we don’t. the truth is, nobody has it all together. we are all a work in progress. when we as parents can commit, one small decision at a time, to a path of self investigation while simultaneously orienting towards a greater awareness around who our children truly are and how to hold them in developmentally appropriate ways, we give to ourselves the gifts of presence and service. this is some of our work as parents.
while our work together in these sessions will vary depending on the needs of each family, there will be some essential pieces that are explored and discussed. understanding a few key points around the archetypal development of the human being from birth to seven years of age will be supportive for any work we do. our goal as we work together will be to hold the process itself, not to move towards any conception of perfectionism or success we may hold. in building a greater awareness around who we ourselves are, alongside our developing greater capacities to understand the trajectory of a human being from birth to seven years of age, we move closer to being able to meet and support our children. through the strengthening of the connective tissues we build together in our relationships, we may be able to guide them in ways that are both compassionate and firm, in the interplay of sympathy and antipathy. in this dance we meet them where they are, which is the only place they can be met.
in our one on one sessions we may address or explore: practical aspects of parenting and problem solving specific issues, handwork and/or artistic projects, esoteric ideas, foundational ideas related to waldorf education and anthroposophy, books on parenting, journaling, etc. we may take a more critical look at the precise language we use with our children, how our home is arranged, where our lives support or lack rhythm, the ways in which a young child is educated, practical tools for generating mutual engagement, boundaries that breathe, sleep, diet, how to approach our parenting in a non judgmental yet critically supportive way, and more.
once you’ve committed to a session, i’ll send a questionnaire to fill out in order to give me a sense of where our work will begin. we may also have a short phone conversation if need be.
sessions are booked at an hourly rate. to inquire about my rates, to book a session, or if you have any questions please email: lynchtimothy@hotmail.com
On the importance of parent education
Parent education is a crucial component in building bridges between the home and school environments. Supporting the child’s education and growth requires inner work from both teachers and parents. By gifting oneself the time and space to attend parent education classes, parents step into this inner work as individuals, but within the container and support of the greater community. This is particularly important at this time when many people are feeling a great sense of isolation from others.
The parents who attend our classes gain a greater understanding of the purpose of Waldorf education, and perhaps more importantly, they themselves feel it through the activities we engage in and the reverence with which we weave our time together. Our parents often return each week with stories of small changes they’ve made at home and how those changes have made a large impact. Bedtime routines that work, for example, bring ease to the child but also to the entire family unit. One parent shared that humming simple songs and communicating more with gestures has brought about more harmonious transitions and has had a soothing effect on the whole family. This is an excellent example of self-care in the context of a parent and child relationship.
Whether through harvesting practical tools, building a greater intellectual understanding of the trajectory of the young child, gaining a felt sense of the education, leaning back into the support of community, or settling into the warmth of the classroom environment itself, the benefits of the parent education classes are far reaching. The work we do is in support of our children, their parents, their teachers and peers, our community as a whole, and beyond.
Parent educator
Timothy Lynch
about timothy
Timothy has taken three years of the Bay Area Center for Waldorf Teacher Training in El Sobrante, CA where he specialized in the early childhood track. He has been facilitating a parent education/support group for parents with children 0 – 7 years of age at Berkeley Rose Waldorf School since the winter of 2021. He is grateful to have met his greatest teacher yet, his daughter who is in the first grade at Casa de las Estrellas, a Waldorf school in Nosara, Costa Rica. Timothy has been teaching Yoga for 15 years in NYC, Oakland, SF, Bali, and currently runs Atha, a six morning a week Mysore Ashtanga Yoga program at the Green Yogi on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley, California. He is fortunate to have been able to make nine extended trips to India to study yoga. He has a bachelors degree in fine arts from the School of Visual Arts in NYC, where he was based for 20 years before relocating to the Bay Area.
“I carry my sufferings into the setting sun
I lay down all my worries in its light radiating lap
Purified through love,
Transformed through light.
They return as helpful thoughts
As strength for deeds of sacrifice
Done in full joy.”
Rudolf Steiner