February 1: Communicating with Teens and Talking About Sensitive Subjects. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Learn key communication skills that will make your teen listen rather than tune you out. $$. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. Registration: 301-929-8824. pepparent.org
February 1: How To Talk So Kids Will Listen. 7 to 9 p.m. Licensed child and family therapist Francine Ronis offers a crash-course on positive discipline, alternatives to punishment, resolving conflicts and increasing your child's self esteem. This program is based on her award-winning book How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk. Repeats 9 a.m. to noon February 4. McLean.To register, contact Ronis at 571-213-9215 or francine.ronis@gmail.com francineronis.com
February 2: Free Job Search Training Workshop. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Learn job search strategies, self-marketing, resume do's and don'ts and how to master the interview process. Presented by the Jewish Social Services Agency and co-sponsored by Montgomery County Public Libraries. Quince Orchard Library, Gaithersburg. jssa.org
February 3 – February 24: Pep II Plus. 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. Grow more confident in your parenting skills at this workshop that covers setting and upholding limits, managing anger and solving problems. Note: Pep II is a prerequisite. $$. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. Registration: 301-929-8824. pepparent.org
February 4: Family2Family Mentor Open House. 11 a.m. to noon. Start the new year off by sharing your parenting experience as a Family2Family mentor. The organization connects low-income families in crisis to community members. Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library, Washington, D.C. RSVP or inquire about other upcoming open houses to: jperez@cflsdc.org.
February 4: Potomac School Camp Fair and Panel. 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Attend a panel on foreign language programs from 12:30 to 1 p.m. and a camp fair from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Potomac School, McLean. tipsontripsandcamps.com
February 8: Talking About Drugs & Alcohol With Teens. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Learn to talk to your teen about tough subjects. Note: Communicating with Teens (Feb. 1) is a prerequisite. $$. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. Registration: 301-929-8824. pepparent.org
February 11 and February 25: Pep I: Becoming a More Encouraging Parent. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Moms and dads who are sick of bedtime battles, sibling fights and whining can learn to solve behavior problems and raise respectful children. $$. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. Registration: 301-929-8824. pepparent.org
February 11: Tasting the Past: A Chocolate Sampler. 2 p.m. Bring your sweetheart on a date to the Riversdale House Museum to taste your way through 200 years of chocolate history. $$. Riversdale House Museum, Riverdale Park. pgparks.com
February 15: Talking About Sexuality with Teens. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Learn to talk to your teen about tough subjects. Note: Communicating with Teens (Feb. 1) is a prerequisite. $$. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. Registration: 301-929-8824. pepparent.org
February 16: Emotional Freedom Technique. 7 to 9 p.m. This month's meeting of the Holistic Moms Network Arlington Alexandria Chapter features a presentation by Jan Steele on stimulating energy meridian points on your body by tapping on them with your fingertips. Children are always welcome. Arlington United Methodist Church, Arlington. holisticmomsarlalex.blogspot.com
February 17: Setting Limits for Young Children. 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. Parents of children ages 1 to 4 will learn how to set limits, which help children learn to go to bed on time, pick up after themselves and more. $$. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. Registration: 301-929-8824. pepparent.org
February 18: Adventure Theatre Date Night! (For Parents). 6 to 11 p.m. Longing for a date night? Drop the little ones off for a fun-filled night of Manny & Olga's Pizza, games and movies while you enjoy your own night with your special someone. Adventure Theatre, Glen Echo. Registration: adventuretheatre.org
February 21: Raising a Responsible Only Child. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Parents of only children will learn how positive discipline encourages cooperation, self-sufficiency and age-appropriate social skills. $$. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. Registration: 301-929-8824. pepparent.org
February 21: Family Support Group. 7:15 to 9 p.m. This monthly support group focuses on families of children with special needs, including identifying community resources and balancing one's own needs with those of children with special needs. Jewish Social Services Agency, 6123 Montrose Road, Rockville. jssa.org
February 21: Adult Literacy Volunteers Information Session. 7:30 p.m. Volunteers interested in helping adults learn to read, write or speak English can attend this information session held by the Literacy Council of Montgomery County. Tutors work one-on-one with small groups and typically meet with students in libraries or community centers. For complete details, call 301-610-0030. Rockville Library. literacycouncilmcmd.org
February 25: Journey Toward Intimacy. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presenters Barbara and Don Fairfield, a certified marriage enrichment leader couple, will help other couples explore their development of close connection and passion. Bring a bag lunch. $$. Parent Encouragement Program, Kensington. Registration: 301-929-8824. pepparent.org
February 25 – 26: The Northern Virginia Camp & Summer Fun Expo Presented by Washington Parent. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. February 25 and noon to 4 p.m. February 26. Learn about summer opportunities for kids of all ages as you speak one-on-one with representatives from day camps, sleepaway camps and destination spots. shopdullestowncenter.com
February 26: Baby Care Basics. 1 to 3 p.m. Learn how to care for your newborn during the challenging first weeks. Topics include bathing, diapering, taking a temperature and when to call the doctor. $$. Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park. Registration: 800-542-5096. adventisthealthcare.com
February 26: Summer Opportunities Fair for Children with Special Needs. 1 to 3:30 p.m. Find the perfect summer program for your child with special needs at this camp fair. The Ivymount School, Potomac. tipsontripsandcamps.com
February 29: Family Facebook Night. 7 to 9:30 p.m. Get to know Facebook privacy settings and other features to keep kids safe. St. John's Episcopal School technology coordinator Alecia Berman-Dry will lead the program. $$. St. John's Episcopal School, Olney. Registration: 301-929-8824.
ONGOING SUPPORT GROUPS
Northern Virginia Family Service: The organization provides programs to promote healthy families, support for foster families help for children and teens. Contact: 703-219-2184, nvfs.org
La Leche League: The breastfeeding support group offers help and support for expectant and new mothers. All moms and babies are welcome. lalecheleague.org
Parent Services: Monthly discussion groups concerning babies, breast-feeding, fathers and more at Washington Hospital Center. Contact: 202-877-6161, whcenter.org
Mothers First: Monthly support group for women making the transition from a career to at-home motherhood. Activities include lectures, field trips, moms-night-out and more. Contact: 703-227-7191, mothersfirst.org
Motherhood, Is It For Me?: A 12-week program to discover if motherhood is the right choice. Includes a support group for men. Contact: 510-595-4629, motherhoodisitforme.com
Parent Support Group: Group counseling in mindful parenting and more. Contact: 703-903-9696 pastoralcounseling.com
JSSA Support Groups: Offers a variety of support groups for parents and families of children with special needs. Contact: 301-838-4200 or 703-204-9100, jssa.org
Middletown Moms at Home: An organization that hosts meetings for stay-at-home moms and opportunities for discussion, community involvement and fun. middletownmomsathome.org
MOMS Club of Frederick City, MD: A support group for all moms to talk, bring their children together and serve their community. Contact: fredcitymoms@yahoo.com, momsclubfrederickcity.shutterfly.com
Families Plus: Provides educational classes and fun events for families, parents and children. Contact: info@familiesplus.org familiesplus.org
Parents At Home (PATH) of Mount Airy: Offers support groups, parenting information, family activities and networking for parents of young children. Contact: 240-394-1001 or info@mtairypath.org, mtairypath.org
Mindful Parenting: A group that helps parents foster mindfulness and emotion regulation in themselves and their children. Contact: 202-441-0756 or rebeccawhitmore4@gmail.com, positivedevelopmentforyourchild.com