Free Parent Support
Every family needs support, but not every family can afford coaching sessions.
To help address this need, I recently began offering one free hour of consulting a week, and several of my colleagues in the Bay Area Infant Toddler Network have joined me. We are here for you, ready to provide practical advice and a warm, listening presence.
Get help with:​
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support for parenting under stress
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help processing children's big emotions about sickness & changes in routine
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ideas for helping siblings co-exist peacefully
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sleep consulting
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guidance on creating the best possible indoor and backyard environment
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anything else that is on your mind as a parent
This offering is first-come, first serve. In the face of high demand, I have done my best to set up a system that is both fair and accessible. To sign up for a free parents support session, use my online booking system below to choose a professional to speak with. We look forward to being your listening ear.
Professionals Offering Free Support
Christina Vlinder
RIE® Associate
Christina Vlinder became a RIE® Associate and joined the RIE® Alliance in 2017. She has been studying Magda Gerber’s Educaring® Approach since 2011, and she has worked as a caregiver for babies and young children since 1999. Christina was an instrumental force in founding Bay Area Infant Toddler Network. She designed and maintains the BAITN website and organizes meetings for the purpose of peer mentoring. She also moderates the "RIE in Northern California" group for parents and caregivers on Facebook. Christina currently works as a nanny and offers various forms of parent education to families in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Use the coupon code FREECHRISTINA to book a free parent support session (limited to one a week).
Lee Fernandez
RIE® Associate
Inspired by the work of infant specialist Magda Gerber and educator Maria Montessori, Lee currently offers "Discover Your Baby" and "Discover Your Toddler" RIE® certified Parent-Infant Guidance Classes™ in the SF Bay Area. Lee has 50 years of experience as a parent educator, trainer of child care professionals, administrator of child care programs, and author. She has a Master's Degree in Child Development, is a RIE® Alliance Associate, and is a Certified Montessori Teacher. Lee was fortunate to train with Magda Gerber directly, and Magda also served as her M.A. Thesis Advisor.
Patty Ryan
RIE® Associate
Patty Ryan is a passionate advocate for improving the quality of care for infants and toddlers and respect for families. Patty trained with Magda Gerber at Resources for Infant Educarers®, at the Pikler Institute in Budapest, Hungary and at the Program for Infant, Toddler Caregivers at WestEd. Patty is a founding member of the Sacramento Valley Infant, Toddler Network and is a RIE® Certified Mentor Teacher for Resources for Infant Educarers. She is currently completing her Master's Degree in Human Development, with a specialization in Early Childhood Development, at Pacific Oaks College. She has published articles for a variety of professional journals, worked with thousands of caregivers and parents, and offered training services on the local, state, national and international levels.
Yu Fu
RIE® Intern
Yu received her Ph.D. in Human Development from Cornell University. In 2015, she discovered RIE® in her search for optimal care for infants and toddlers, and have since then included the Educaring Approach® in her study and child-rearing practice. Besides RIE®, Yu is attending Feldenkrais professional training and advanced training focusing on early development. She also studies Ericksonian Hypnosis, and becomes a professional member of the International Association of Generative Change. These diverse directions of learning reflect Yu’s long-term inquiry into developing a path to well-being from the beginning of a person’s life. Now she is the founder of In Truth, sharing her learning to families with babies in the Chinese community.