The North Hall Community Education Foundation has scheduled an event Thursday featuring syndicated parenting columnist John Rosemond.

The event is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Baptist Church Worship Center, 2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville.

LeeAnn LoCicero is a board member of the foundation committed to creating innovative educational opportunities. LoCicero said she and her husband first learned of Rosemond 17 years ago when they read one of his books, “Making the Terrible Twos Terrific.”

“The foundation is thrilled to bring John Rosemond to the community,” she said. “He is an entertaining speaker with a great message of parent power.”

The Charlotte, N.C., resident’s column appears in The Times on Mondays, giving parents advice on issues ranging from potty-training to behavioral and school problems. Rosemond has a background in family psychology and has been speaking and writing on parenting and family issues for 20 years, he said.“I’ve spoken in Gainesville before, but it’s been a number of years. I’m looking forward to it,” Rosemond said.

He said behavior problems and a lack of proper discipline are the biggest issues on which parents seek his advice.

“I think it’s become difficult because American parents have lost touch with common sense when raising kids,” he said. “One thing I’ve tried to do is to put them back in touch with common sense and alleviate some of their anxiety.”

At the Gainesville event, Rosemond will speak on effective discipline and will field questions from parents.

“I’ll tell people how to effectively discipline kids. Actually, discipline is a very simple matter and I’m going to try to make it as easy as possible for people,” he said. “It’s a responsibility of parents to discipline children well. Children need love and they need leadership. Both are equally vital responsibilities.”

LoCicero said Rosemond also will be available for book and tape sales when doors open at 5:30 p.m. on the day of the event.