Parenting Workshops

Boston Medical Center will host a night of cocktails, dinner, dancing and an auction benefiting The Spark Center at BMC. The program's mission is to guide Boston's most vulnerable children and youth to healthier and brighter futures. The Spark of Hope Black and White Benefit will take place on Friday, October 3, from 6-11 p.m. at the Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley St. For ticket purchases or sponsorship information, visit www.bmc.org/SPARKofHope or call (617) 534-2050, ext. 8. Radio and TV personality Billy Costa, is the guest MC/Auctioneer.

Baby Care for Pre-Adoptive First Time Parents. Saturday, Sept. 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 45 Lyman Street, #2 South Terrace Westborough. Learn how to care for your new baby, in this hands on workshop, taught be a certified instructor. Limited to 12 people, register early. $45 per person (non ACON member) or $75 per person. 508-366-6812.

W.I.S.E Up Workshop. Monday, Sept. 8, 2 to 4 p.m. at 170 Monroe St. Pembroke. This workshop is hosted by ASAP and Adoptive Families Together and build adoptees to build self esteem and talk about adoption issues. This is a two part workshop, one for children and the other for parents. Children will learn self-esteem strategies; and parents will learn how to help their children use them. Registration required. $20 per child. 781-293-33421.

Top 10’s of Decorating. Monday, Sept. 8, 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Whitney Place Assisted Living Residence, Three Vision Drive, Rt. 9 West, Natick. Learn the best ways to decorate your home without spending a fortune. Interior designer Debbi Carducci (owner of Carducci Design Group in Worcester) will host this free workshop sponsored by Mothers and More, Framingham Area Chapter. www.mothersandmoreframingham.com.

Mom’s With Muscles. Wednesday, Sept. 10, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the East Bridgewater High School Track, at 11 Plymouth St. East Bridgewater. This demo fitness class is open to mothers and their children (in strollers to walk around the track with them or to play in the center of the track with the toys provided). 781-681-9736.

Domestic Infant Adoption. Wednesday, Sept. 10, 7 to 9 p.m. at 45 Lyman Street, #2 South Terrace Westborough. Through representatives of MA adoption agencies, learn all about adoption of a U.S. infant. $10 per person (ACONE member) or $15 per person (non member). 508-366-6812.

Mothers and More Meeting. Thursday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. at the Whitney Place,

238 West Main Street. Natick. Topic announced at meeting. Offers mothers an evening of socializing, refreshments and information. www.mothersandmoreassabetvalley.com.

Let’s Get Messy—Under 2. Thursday, Sept. 11, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the NRC Family Network Center located at 93 George St, Jefferson School, Rockland. Includes songs, playtime and a messy activity. Participants are encouraged to wear clothes that can get messy! 781-681-9736.

A Look at Adoption. Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2 to 5:30 p.m. at 45 Lyman Street, #2 South Terrace Westborough. This seminar offers potential parents a chance to learn more about adoption though certified professionals. There is also information for singles and individuals over 40 years old. $20 per person (ACONE members) or $25 per person (non members). 508-366-6812.

Fall Clothing Sale. Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Central Congressional Church, 1 Worthen Street, Chelmsford. Sponsored by Nashoba Valley Mothers of Multiples, the sale is open to anyone looking for gently used children’s clothing, books, toys and much more. $1, and children under 14 years old are free. www.nashobavalleymom.org.

Free Adoption Information. Meeting. Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. until noon at Beverly Public Library, located at 32 Essex Street, Beverly. Attendees will learn about the international adoption process as well as meeting other families and staff at Wide Horizons for Children. Registration is required by calling Jessica Ellison at 781-644-2352 or e-mailing jellison@whfc.org.

Adoption Triad Group. Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Adoption Community of New England, 45 Lyman Street, #2 South Terrace Westborough. Learn how to relate to others not in your triad, and see things from their point of view. Anyone is welcome: adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, or other family members. 508-366-6812 or visit www.adoptioncommunityofne.com. Registration is required (with contact information) at least 24 hours before the event.

Support Group for Waiting Parents. Saturday, Sept. 13 from 2 to 4:00 p.m. at the Adoption Community of New England, 45 Lyman Street, #2 South Terrace Westborough. Sometimes the most difficult aspect of the adoption process, waiting parents are invited to join this group that focuses on a specific issue, while still leaving time for open discussion. 508-366-6812 or visit www.adoptioncommunityofne.com. Registration is required (with contact information) at least 24 hours before the event.

Meet and Greet Open House. Sunday, Sept. 14 from 8:30am to 12:30 p.m. Temple Beth Torah Early Childhood Committee. 2162 Washington Street, Holliston. This is a Meet and Greet Open House, including a free preview of a Torah Tots class. Free. 508-429-6268 or email TBT@bethtorah.org.

Positive Parenting. Wednesday, Sept. 17 (and each Wednesday until Nov. 5), 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the NRC Family Network Center located at 93 George St, Jefferson School, Rockland. Children 5 years old and younger.The playgroup begins with a family supper followed by a family circle time and free play. Parents then go to a separate room for discussion on parenting topics for 45 minutes; and children play, do activities and have a snack. Parents also receive $40 worth of gas cards; for registration and information call the NRC Family Network at 781-681-9736.

Adoption and Schools. Thursday, Sept.18, 7 to 9 p.m. at 45 Lyman Street, #2 South Terrace Westborough. Learn about the educational needs of adopted children and how to deal with issues that may come up in school. Workshop is taught by Joan Clark M. Ed. Cost is $15 per person (ACONE member) or $20 per person (non member). 508-366-6812.

Knowing When and How to Say No. Thursday, Sept. 18 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at parenting Solutions, 6 Colonial Drive, Westborough. Led by Sylvia Sirignano. $30. www.parentingsolutionsprograms.com.

Birth Families Meet to Discuss Adoption. Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m.

until noon at the Adoption Community of New England, 45 Lyman Street, #2 South Terrace Westborough. Open to any birth families to discuss all types of adoption, open and closed. Each meeting has a specific topic, but also allows time for discussion. 508-366-6812 or visit www.adoptioncommunityofne.com. Registration is required (with contact information) at least 24 hours before an event.

Let’s Get Messy. Monday, Sept. 22, 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the NRC Family Network 34 James St., Jefferson School, Rockland. Make a mess with parents and children over 2 years old. Dress to make a mess, as the children will be making their masterpieces with paint, glue, play dough and more. 781-681-9736.

Taking Great Photographs. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Whitney Place Assisted Living Residence, Three Vision Drive, Rt. 9 West, Natick. Hosted by the Framingham-Area Chapter of Mothers and More and guest, photographer Melissa Blackwell. Blackwell will show attendees of this free workshop how to take great photographs. www.mothersandmoreframingham.com.

Birthparents Speak. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7 to 9 p.m. at 45 Lyman Street,

#2 South Terrace Westborough. Birthparents will discuss their decision of placing their children for adoption and communication afterwards. The workshop will also discuss the selection of prospective adoptive families. $10 per person (ACONE member) or $15 per person (non member). 508-366-6812.

Parenting Presentation. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7:00 p.m. at the Learning Circle Preschool, 3 Blue Hill River Road, Canton. Nancy Carlsson-Paige, child researcher and author of Taking Back Childhood will discuss how the media can effect a child’s development. Free. 781-828-4800 or visit www.learningcirclepreschool.org.

Baby and Me Lunch Bunch. Thursday, Sept. 25, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at NRC Family Network 34 James St., Jefferson School, Rockland. Bring lunch for you and your child (under 18 months) and join other parents and discuss the joys and difficulties of being a new parent. NRC Family Network will also supply information and tips for being a new parent. 781-681-9736.

Free Adoption Information Meeting. Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

at the Wide Horizons for Children Regional Office, located at 21 Highland Circle, Needham. Attendees will learn more about the international adoption process as well as meeting other families and staff at Wide Horizons for Children. Registration is required by calling Jessica Ellison at 781-644-2352 or e-mailing jellison@whfc.org.

Buddy Night. Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the NRC Family Network

93 George St., Jefferson School, Rockland. This gives a chance for children and an adult male in their life to spend time together and play baseball! 781-681-9736.

Fall Sale. Saturday Sept. 27. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Winchester High School 80 Skillings Road Winchester. Gently used children's clothing, toys,equipment & books. Sponsored by Mass. Mother's of Twins - Founding Chapter. Admission $1.00 under 14 free

Cash and Carry: No checks/charges. For more info, please visit www.mmota-founding.org or 781-989-3222.

Mothers and More Meeting. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m. at the Whitney Place, 238

West Main Street. Topic announced at the meeting. Offer mothers an evening of socializing, refreshments and information. www.mothersandmoreassabetvalley.com.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer volunteers are needed for this five-mile

walk, taking place on Oct. 4 and 5 at the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell on the

Charles River Esplanade in Boston. Volunteers are needed on the 4th to

prepare snack bags and set up for the following day’s event. Volunteers are

needed to be route monitors, cheer on the walkers, and set up and clean up on

October 5th. Last October, $40,000 walkers in Boston raised over 3.4 million

dollars. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345, or visit

www.cancer.org/stridesonline.