By now, many of us have been trained to go to the internet for all sorts of things—to find out the hours of the library, to research a physical symptom, and to get the updated menu for our favorite restaurant. Many of us also order stamps over the internet, book our own flights, and use the computer to accomplish all sorts of tasks. As a single parent, however, there may be some specific things you can use the internet for that will make your life easier or more efficient.
The internet can save you time and it can also help you to expand your life. You can probably do a big chunk of your banking online—from arranging direct deposit and tracking your account to ordering checks and paying bills; you can also make typical purchases online—I recently learned that I can download photos from my digital camera, send them to Walmart and have the photos mailed to me. I never have to go into the store at all, especially not to make two trips which is how I used to do it!
Additionally, as a single parent with more hope and aspiration than time, you can take classes and get training on line that is comparable to anything you would get in a classroom. Many “regular” colleges now offer online programs where you can do at least part of the class over the internet. For a busy single parent, this is a great way to get back into school or get additional training without having to be on campus.
We can also communicate with teachers and other parents via e-mail using the internet. This can make it possible to keep close contact with how our children are doing in school, arrange for rides and carpools, and even share information about soccer practice or other extra-curricular activities.
Finally, we have all heard about internet dating, but you can also tap into other social resources over the internet. You can access newsletters of social groups and even get a monthly calendar for a local church group or social community sent to you via e-mail. This makes it easy to plug social activities into your overall schedule and keep on top of things without having to run all over town or make a dozen phone calls.
See Also: The COMPUTING Blog