BANANAS. Offers a year-round, free parenting series. Local childcare referral and resource service and alternative payment program. Extensive classes cover many aspects of parenting. 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland. 510-658-7353. www.bananasinc.org.

Conscious Parenting Alliance. The goal of the alliance is to help families laugh, relax and enjoy life more. It offers workshops, including, “Stuff Nobody Ever Taught You About Parenting.” 1700 Shattuck Ave., Suite 1, Berkeley. www.awakeparent.com.

Habitot Family Resources. Offers parents a reference library, e-newsletter, Totmail, and classes in child development, communication skills and effective discipline strategies. Habitot Children's Museum, 2065 Kittredge St., Berkeley. 510-647-1111. www.habitot.org.

KidWise Institute. Books, tapes and lectures on parenting. 484 Lake Park Ave., Oakland. 510-444-8721. www.kidwiseinstitute.com.

Talk Workshop on Teen Sex. The group First Resort is offering this program so parents will know how, when and what to say to their children about this important topic. Oct. 13, 8:30am-12:30pm. $15-$30. 4000 Redwood Rd., Oakland. 510-531-5244. talk-firstresort.net.

Through the Looking Glass. Provides support services for Bay Area families with children, parents or grandparents who have a disability or medical issue. Based in Berkeley. 510-848-4445 or 800-644-2666. www.lookingglass.org.

Twin Valley Mothers of Twins Club. Meets on the second Tuesday of each month, at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 7421 Amarillo Rd., Dublin. Provides support, information and friendship for mothers of multiples. Roundtable discussion is open to members and prospective members and begins at 6:30pm. The general meetings (refreshments served) begin at 7:30pm. 925-948-0004. www.tvmotc.com.

Contra Costa Child Care Council. Offers free parenting information, childcare referrals and resources and an alternative payment program. Locations in Richmond, Concord, Antioch and Brentwood. 925-676-5442. www.cocokids.org.

Caesarean birth awareness and education. Free meetings of the Mount Diablo chapter of the International Caesarean Awareness Network, which aims to prevent unnecessary caesareans through education and to provide caesarean recovery support. FREE. RSVP, seating is limited. The Nurture Center, 3399 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. 925-283-1346.

First 5. Provides parenting information, services, resources and advocacy tools. 1340 Arnold Drive, Ste. 125, Martinez. 925-335-9991. www.firstfivecc.org.

Inclusion Project at the Contra Costa Child Care Council. Provides technical assistance to families and child care providers in Contra Costa County. In addition to resource and referral, they provide training and support to families of children with special needs, including free workshops for parents and providers. Reservations required. Workshops conducted at the Learning Institute, 1035 Detroit Ave., Ste. 100A, Concord. Call Laura Wilson, 925-676-5442, ext. 3118.

Independent Adoption Center. If you’ve been thinking about adoption as a way to expand your family, the center can provide information about all stages and costs of open adoption at their Adoption Information Sessions. Oct. 6 and 20. 9:30am. Reservations required. 391 Taylor Blvd., Ste. 100, Pleasant Hill. 925-827-2229. www.adoptionhelp.org.

Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay. On the second Wednesday of each month, parents can join a coffee talk about raising Jewish children. The group covers everything from the basics of the holidays to teaching Jewish values. Non-Jewish parents raising children in a Jewish family are invited, too. 9:30-11am. The Contra Costa JCC Gallery, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek. 925-943-1484.

La Leche League. The Diablo Chapter meets several times during the month at the Nurture Center, Lafayette. Call for times of daytime, enrichment and evening meetings. FREE. 3399 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. 925-283-1346.

Malaya Center. Offers low-cost support and child rearing classes for parents. 395 Civic Drive, Ste. C. Pleasant Hill. 925-726-0300.

Nurture Center. Provides parent education, hypnobirthing, support and products for pregnancy, breastfeeding and parenting. Pre- and postnatal yoga, lactation plus groups and classes. 3399 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. 925-283-1346. www.nurturecenter.com.

RESOLVE. The National Infertility Association, known as RESOLVE, Northern California Chapter hosts adoption information nights in Contra Costa County. In Concord, call 925-825-4090. In West Contra Costa County, call 510-685-1897.Or call the headquarters: 312 Sutter St., San Francisco. 415-923-9228.