Penobscot County Cooperative Extension

Developing Parenting Skills -

The Penobscot County Extension Office is a source for parenting information, including a parent educator training program. "Becoming a Parent Educator" is a 22-hour program held in the summertime in which participants learn facilitating skills and are also introduced to parenting curriculums. The office has a lending library of activity books, videotapes and audiotapes for parents. Most of these materials are free to borrow.

Programs are also offered periodically on specific parenting topics such as effective discipline, communication and building healthy relationships.

UMCE Parenting Publications

Putting knowledge to work with the people of Maine

A Member of the University of Maine System

• Non-discrimination statement and disability resources
• Non-disclosure statement

Parenting Workshops

Alternatives to Punishment
Tuesday May 6 & May 13, 2008
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Dexter High School
Please register through Dexter Adult Education
(207) 924-7674
$15 fee per couple / family for both sessions.

Description: How do children react to punishment? Is punishment effective in a parent/child relationship? Is it necessary to rely upon punishment as a means of discipline? What are natural and logical consequences? What to do if Time-Out doesn’t work? Explore new techniques to discipline without hurting or alienating and to help your child develop a positive and realistic self-image.

Louise O. Kirkland, CFLE
Extension Educator

Call the UMCE Penobscot County office at 942-7396 or 800-287-1485 (in Maine) for more information about workshops and events.

If you are a person with a disability and will need any accommodations to participate in a UMCE program, please contact your county office to discuss your needs.

Contact: Louise O. Kirkland, Extension educator
E-mail: kirkland@umext.maine.edu

Bear Facts Newsletter -

This free quarterly newsletter is written for parents and child care professionals who care for children from birth to age five. It features articles on health, food safety, nutrition, child development, games and activities, and healthy snack foods. It also includes announcements of upcoming workshops and programs being offered from our office. To sign up to receive this newsletter, please visit "County Newsletters". 

Maine Family Times

The Maine Family Times newsletter from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension is for families with children aged five through eighteen. Our winter issue features articles on:

• Planning for School Conferences with Ease

• The 411 about Communicating with Youth

• Multi-Generation Communication

• Family Meetings are Times to Talk

For your copy of this new resource please call our office at 942-7396 or 1-800-287-1485. You may leave a message on our answering machine. Maine Family Times will be published twice a year.

Additional Parenting Resources -

• UMCE Center for Parenting Education:
  http://www.umext.maine.edu/parentcenter
• National Council on Family Relations:
  http://www.ncfr.org
• Stepfamily Association of America:
  http://www.saafamilies.org