Parenting lectures begin tonight in Thousand Oaks
To help moms and dads with perhaps their most difficult job- parenting- a Parent Talk lecture series kicks off tonight and runs through the end of the school year.

Terry Paulson will present "Parenting and the Humor Advantage" tonight at 7 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church.

The first lecture in a five-part series presented by the Conejo Valley Adult School will feature Paulson's entertaining and educational advice on how to meet the challenges of raising children today.

The other lectures in the series are Jim Trelease's "Raising Readers: How Parents Can Nurture Children to Read on Their Own" on Jan. 29; Dr. Gordon Neufeld's "Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers" on March 4 and Jon Pearson's "Drawing on the Inventive Mind" on April 15.

Barbara Coloroso's "Kids Are Worth It! Raising Responsible, Resourceful and Caring Children" will be May 20.

Tickets, $15 if presold and $20 at the door, can be purchased by calling (805) 492-8837.

Series ticket discount options are available.

All lectures are from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive, in Thousand Oaks.

- Joann Groff