Two years ago, my husband and I were in the throes woes of potty training our potty-training-challenged daughter.

We had tried everything and were at the end of our ropes. That is when we heard about the Children’s Hospital’s free parenting seminars that include everything from toddler to the teen-age years.

Please note the 2009 schedule below.

SEMINAR: Counting Sheep: Learn how to evaluate and treat the most common sleep problems, including nighttime awakening or crying, bedtime refusal, nightmares and night terrors. Speaker: Bart Schmitt, MD

DATE: Tuesday, Oct. 6
TIME: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Children’s Hospital at I-225 and East Colfax Avenue, 13123 East 16th Ave., Aurora, CO
2nd floor Conference Center
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SEMINAR: Oh, Poo!: Learn how to outsmart your child as we discuss toilet training basics and how to deal with toilet training resistance and pitfalls. Get tips on making the whole process easier for you and your child. Speaker: Bart Schmitt, MD

DATE: Thursday, Oct. 15
TIME: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Marriott Denver South, 10345 Park Meadows Drive, Littleton, CO 80124
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SEMINAR: Talking About Toddlers: Join us for an informative session on how to manage the ups and downs of the toddler years. We’ll talk about it all – sleep, potty training, discipline, tantrums and much more! Speaker: Ayelet Talmi, PhD

FIRST DATE: Thursday, Oct. 8
TIME: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Children’s Hospital at I-225 and East Colfax Avenue, 13123 East 16th Ave., Aurora, CO
2nd floor Conference Center

SECOND DATE: Tuesday, Oct. 20
TIME: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Denver West Marriott, 1717 Denver West Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80401
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SEMINAR: The Tumultuous Teen Years: A how-to in surviving your child’s adolescence. Topics will include drugs, sex, depression, discipline, communication and setting limits and negotiating with your teen. Speaker: David W. Kaplan, MD, MPH

FIRST DATE: Tuesday, Oct. 13
TIME: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Westin Westminster, 10600 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, CO 80020

SECOND DATE: Wednesday, Oct. 21
TIME: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Children’s Hospital at I-225 and East Colfax Avenue, 13123 East 16th Ave., Aurora, CO
2nd floor Conference Center
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SEMINAR: Speak UP for Kids!: New this year, this seminar will provide parents with information, examples and necessary tools to speak up on behalf of children. Because advocacy is a key part of the mission at The Children’s Hospital, we look to parents to partner with us in making a difference on issues that matter. Speaker: The Children’s Hospital Public Affairs Team

DATE: Wednesday, Oct. 14
TIME: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Children’s Hospital at I-225 and East Colfax Avenue, 13123 East 16th Ave., Aurora, CO
2nd floor Conference Center

Seminars are for adults only and pre-registration is required. To reserve your spot, go to www.thechildrenshospital.org/parenting or call (720) 777-KIDS.