LEWISTON – Advocates for Children announces a variety of March events.

The craft schedule is as follows: Fridays, March 4, “Jingle Bell Lady Bug”; March 11, “Lucky Hats”; March 18, “Puzzle Kits”; and March 25, “Friendship Fan.”

“Parenting 101: Good Discipline” will be offered during two sessions. Parents will learn how to engage cooperation; set rules, expectations and limits; find alternatives to punishment; and learn anger management.

The first session will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at Lewiston High School’s Lewiston Adult Education. The fee is $5, and registration is required. To register, those interested should call 795-4141.

Another session will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24, through Mechanic Falls Adult Education. The fee is $5, and registration is required. To register, people can call 345-3217.

A free workshop, “Active Parenting Now,” will be held for Auburn residents only. The six-week workshop will assist parents in raising responsible children who are able to resist negative peer pressure. It is for parents of children ages 5 to 12.

Parents can learn effective nonviolent discipline techniques and encouragement skills. Topics will include styles of parenting, mutual respect, active communication, teaching responsibility, the four goals of behavior and family meetings.

Workshops will be held from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays, March 9 to April 13, at Washburn Elementary School, Auburn. Registration is required, and child care will be provided. To register, people can call 783-3990. A required parental handbook costs $12.95.

“Active Parenting of Teens,” a six-week program, will address parenting styles, courage and self-esteem, teen behavior, problem-solving, responsibility and discipline, cooperation and communication, adolescent development, and other issues facing teens today.

Parents will also have opportunities to practice strategies for addressing sensitive issues such as substance abuse, violence and sexuality. The program will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 9 to April 13, at Advocates for Children. Registration is required. To register, people should call 783-3990. Cost is $12.95 for a required parent handbook.

“Parenting 201: Keeping Peace at Home” will be offered in two sessions. Parents will learn how to create a more peaceful and harmonious family life; understand why conflict occurs; and how to prevent it.

The first will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, at Lewiston Adult Education. The fee is $5, and registration is required. Parents should call 795-4141.

The second session will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Mechanic Falls Adult Ed. The fee is also $5, and registration is required. The number is 345-3217.

A “Kids First Program for Step Parents” will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 19, at Advocates for Children. The four-hour workshop will help parents in step families understand the normal difficulties experienced by each person in the new family. The fee is $45 a person, or $70 a couple, and registration is required. To register, people should call 783-3990.

A free “Boot Camp for New Dads” will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 19, at Advocates for Children. It is for men who are expecting a child and want to better prepare themselves for their new parenting role. New dads are encouraged to attend with their baby. Registration is required by calling 783-3990.

A Parenting Matters Conference will be held on Saturday, April 9, at Central Maine Medical Center. The full day of workshops will feature keynote speaker Dr. Will Wilkoff, pediatrician from Brunswick, who will discuss “Quality Time: Rubbish or Reality? Where Do Children Fit into 21st Century America?” Anyone wanting more information should call 783-3990.

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