I became fascinated with the Internet the first time I logged on. When I saw the potential for fun and education for my children and myself, I was hooked. My collection of bookmarks grew to be unmanageable, so I decided to learn how to make a Web page. I began to worry that I was addicted when I had a dream that I was being attacked by some kind of bad guy, so I opened a new browser window to cut and paste a gun into my hand to defend myself. I know, weird, isn't it.
I began to grasp the enormous educational potential of the Internet when my fifth-grade son was researching killer whales for a school report. None of the sites he found gave the life span of killer whales, but he found an email address for a professor in Scotland who had written an article on the topic. Within 15 minutes he had an email response from this expert that explained the problems scientists had in determining the whale's lifespan and what was being done to obtain this information. Wow! That is power in education, and I want my children to be a part of it.
The Web has brought our family closer together. My children and I share our Internet travels and finds. I try not to get upset when the computer crashes because of something my children did. We try to figure out the problem together, and that is how we have learned. It gives my son and me a mutual interest as he makes the transition to his teen years.
So, now I share my "finds" with you, other parents at different stages of being Web Parents. I've surfed thousands of Web sites looking for useful information on children's physical and emotional health, parenting tips, family communication, and support. For fun, I like to find games and activities, kids' party ideas, shopping sites, and colorful educational sites for family enjoyment. I hope you and your family find these Web sites to be as interesting and fun as we have.
