No disrespect Mr. Brokaw (and collegues) but we have a few few thoughts for you involving your, let's say selective vocabulary.

What would happen if the media started to call Nanny Cameras by there rightful name...IP Network Cameras? The answer is quite simple. They would not sell the same amount of newspapers and they certainly would not be able to sell the same amount of ad space on all our major news outlets. It's an interesting thought though isn't it? Would people be purchasing more. Would the general public and consumers get it. Currently there is certainly a disconnect between 'nanny cam' and IP Network Camera and with their being such a disconnect one has to wonder if The Johnson family went to their local Home Depot and looked for a nanny cam on the end of the aisle guides what would they find? Nothing. Because the 'nanny cam' is a media hook...which is a good thing because it gets people interested and if people are not interested of course they are not going to buy. It's great right? I mean it works but I just wish they (media) could preface every instance of the word nanny cam with IP Network Camera? Just a thought actually not thoughts sorry guys.

IP Cameras protect your children

Ip camera or ip cameras can and will protect your children from over aggressive nannies and any kind of danger in general. Remember that security and surveillance are not always scary words, because i know a lot of you are afraid of these of these two terms but don't be.If you’re not familiar with a nanny camera, you’d be surprised to know that it is pretty much like any other security camera on the market. It records and relays moving images to a T.V. screen or computer so that you are able monitor the broadcasts in real time or save them for a later time. The major difference between an average security camera and a nanny camera is that nanny cameras are designed to be concealed. For this reason they are much smaller than normal security cameras. This means that you can easily mount a tiny nanny security camera behind a clock, in a child’s doll, behind furniture or just about in any location that you could imagine. The need for secrecy is necessary so that you can catch your nanny doing some appalling act against your children when you are away from the house.

A nanny camera is not limited to nanny surveillance either. You can always hide the camera to broadcast images to the outside of your home. For example, if you have a vandalism problem in your neighborhood and you don’t want to mount an unattractive surveillance camera on your home, you should consider a nanny security camera instead, as its tiny size will not ruin the façade of your home.

If you feel a little intimidated to go out and buy a nanny camera don’t be alarmed. In response to a rising demand there is a surprisingly wide selection of nanny cameras to choose from. In fact, choosing the right nanny camera is probably easier than finding the right nanny!

The Nanny Salary?

There are many variables that need to be considered when deciding a nanny's salary. Experience, Responsibilities, Number of children in the Family, Live in or Live out arrangements, area in which you live (cost of living for your nanny) and any benefits that you're offering your Nanny.

Experience is the most important aspect to consider. Bottom line, this is what you are paying for. The salary that you're considering should reflect the amount of experience the nanny has.

Your child(ren) are the #1 Responsibility of any Nanny you are considering to join your Family, but there may be other tasks that you may ask of the nanny. Grocery shopping, errands, laundry, housekeeping or cooking are just a few things it takes to run a household smoothly. The house and its everyday/week routines takes time, energy and organization and should be compensated. Also, does the nanny have experience in performing the tasks at hand and how well? That question can only be answered by talking to their references.

Number of children in the family also needs to be a factor. The Nanny's responsibility level is raised with the amount of children that she must look after and take care of.

Living arrangements for your nanny need to be addressed. Live out Nannies are generally paid more because you are not offering room, board, food and car as a benefit. Live in Nannies are paid less because you are offering them room/board and possibly a car.

Area in which you live plays a part. Just as in any other job the cost of living in the area reflects your salary.

Benefits that should be considered in the nanny's salary are health, vacation time, sick days, overtime, traveling and the use of a car.

Au Pair vs. Nanny?

Are you weighing au pairs vs. nannies to hire? It’s a good idea to get informed about both your options before you make your choice. Both types of childcare have pros and cons and it’s important to weigh your decision carefully to figure out what option works best for your family. Here are a few things to consider when you’re weighing an au pair vs. nanny.

What is a Au Pair? What is a Nanny?

• An au pair is a foreign young person who comes to the United States to work in exchange for housing under a prescribed set of guidelines and weekly stipend.
  
• A nanny is a broader term to refer to anyone a family employs to look after a child or children in the household.
  
• Nannies are typically residents of the United States.
  
• Nannies can be live-in or live-out, while all au pairs must be live-in childcare providers.
  
• Au pairs may or may not have prior childcare experience, so it’s important to check with the agency if a candidate has worked with children before.
  
• Nannies can provide full-time or part-time childcare for your family, depending on your needs.
  
• Au pairs typically provide up to 45 hours of childcare a week.
  
• Both au pairs and nannies can provide household upkeep services. If you’re working with an au pair agency, it’s important to find out exactly what services an au pair will provide. If you’re screening a nanny, you can discuss individual job duties with an applicant.
  
• If you’re looking for an au pair, you must find one through one of the approved U.S. Department of State agencies.
  
• If you’re hiring a nanny, you have a range of options. An online database, such as Nannies4Hire.com, word of mouth, nanny agencies, and job boards are all places you can find a nanny.
  
• Au pairs may speak little English causing a language barrier.
  
  

Nanny Cam catches 60 yr old beating up 5 month old

This just in from the YouTube posting.

"This is Cheryl White of Murrells Inlet from South Carolina. CNN said so far the baby seems OK. You know long term damage could be there. She KNEW what she was doing. And it's unforgivable. I hope they throw the book at her. You should never shake a baby, NEVER! And this LAZY, IGNORANT, HURTFUL, EVIL woman does it over and over again. Nobody forced her to babysit. Please if your going to lose your patience with kids any age...take a break, walk outside; never hurt a baby. Get help, call a friend."

For whatever reason this 60 year old thought it would be a good idea to beat up and shake around a 5 month old. It just ceases to amaze me how callus and ignorant people can actually be!.

1. Don't shake babies...they can and will break.

2. Don't shake a baby if the babies especially if the parents are attorneys.

3. Don't shake babies it will not make them 'be quiet.'

4. Shaking babies is bad for your health and the baby might not make it through it.





Coping with crying

By the fourth month of life, all babies, including colicky babies, cry a lot less. Long bouts of crying and crying that can't be soothed are rare by the time an infant is five months of age. In the meantime, here are some ideas about what you can do to soothe a baby: Changing Baby

Make baby as comfortable as possible, e.g., check temperature and diaper.

Provide gentle motion.

Provide soft music or other relaxing sounds, like a vacuum cleaner.

Feed baby slowly and burp often.

Things to keep in mind about infant crying:

Different ways of soothing may work at different times. A comforted baby doesn't always mean a quiet baby. Even if your attempts to soothe your baby don't stop your baby from crying, your baby is still benefiting from your attention. You are building your baby's trust in you. Keep in mind that sometimes a baby just has to cry—crying doesn't always mean that something is wrong.

When you have done everything you can to meet your baby's needs and your baby keeps crying, you may feel tired, alone, or frustrated. You might feel that you are not doing a good enough job or that your baby is purposely making things hard. It is normal to have strong feelings in response to inconsolable crying; however, you must never shake or otherwise harm a baby.

If at anytime you start feeling tense, frustrated or angry, remember:

* It is more important to stay calm than to stop the crying
* It's OK to ask for help
* Take a break, don't shake


It is more important to stay calm than to stop the crying

When you can't soothe your baby, remember that it is more important for you to stay calm than to stop the crying. Knowing how, and practicing ways, to keep yourself calm will help you through the challenging times now and in the future as your child or children grow up.

Different self-calming strategies work for different people. Here are some ideas that might work for you:

close your eyes and imagine you are somewhere relaxing and pleasant like a warm beach

read

listen to music

take a shower or bath

take a deep breath and slowly count to 10 or more. Don't think about the problem, just concentrate on your breathing, count and take the time to calm down.

do something that makes you laugh and/or smile

yell into a pillow

hit a punching bag or weight bag


It's OK to ask for help, in fact sometimes it is the best thing to do.

All parents and caregivers need help, and it is important for you to have a IT's OK To Ask for Helpsupport system in place. Have the phone numbers of people who can help when the crying is too much, such as:

* a neighbour, relative, or friend that can come over right away and help
* the baby's doctor or public health nurse

Take a break, don't shake

"Take a break, don't shake" is a strategy to help you and other caregivers cope with crying. When the crying is too much:

* Put the baby in a safe place, like the crib.
* Shut the door and take a 15 minute break in another area of your home. Use a timer to help you keep track of the time. Letting your baby cry for a few minutes will not hurt your baby.
* When you are feeling calm, you can try again to soothe your baby. If you don't feel like you can handle things, ask for help. Call someone.

The most common reason given by perpetrators for shaking a baby is that the baby wouldn't stop crying or fussing.

For more information about the dangers of shaking and Shaken Baby Syndrome, click here.
Parents, know you can trust your baby's other caregivers

Not only can crying be frustrating for parents, crying can be frustrating for the other people who look after your baby as well. So be sure your baby's caregiver knows:

* Babies cry for many reasons.
* Tips for soothing your baby.
* It is NEVER OK to shake a baby.

Ask other caregivers what they will do when the baby can't stop crying. Ask what they will do if they get frustrated or upset with the baby. Tell them that if something happens that they can't handle, it is OK to place the baby in the crib, leave the room and take a break.

Let them know who they can call for help, such as:

* the names of close-by neighbours
* the number where you can be reached - assure them that you will return immediately if they feel they are unable to calmly care for the child
* Health Link Alberta

Talk about crying and the dangers of shaking to every person who will look after your children. It can be hard to ask people if they might get frustrated with your baby, try using the When your BABY can't stop CRYING brochure and the Crying Plan as conversation starters. These will help you talk about infant crying and the importance of never shaking a baby with the other people who live with and/or look after your baby.

Try to remember that the period of increased crying will come to an end!
As a baby grows he or she becomes more settled. By the fourth month of life, all babies, including colicky babies, cry a lot less.

Nanny cam? suspicious of babysitter? Not alone!

As we have unfortunately seen all over television, the web, aol, yahoo, the radio, xm, Sirius, our family dinners there has been an unbelievable upswing in attention to the phenomenon known as the nanny cam. You use to not have to think about or use the word surveillance and your kids names in the same sentence...well its apparent now that you do. Just take a look at the following graph pulled this morning from Google Trends.


Really everywhere you look you either have a mom who clearly wasn't having a great day fire hosing a toddler or you have this Neanderthal Babysitter literally abusing children, It's upsetting and it's not just upsetting to parents its also upsetting to kids.



Its becoming larger and larger just keep watching and we'll keep posting. By the end of the week there will be another whacked out nanny caught on tape. I've got to say that although the number of nanny acts will simply continue to climb the number of idiot nannies will also. Unfortunately this wont change the behavior it will only deter it.

Florida Woman punishes girl with high pressured hose

Babysitter sprays toddler with car wash hose

Nanny Cam Video with Office Star

Ok, so its been a bit of complaining and trying to scare people into thinking they need a security system. Well this is a video that should get people to relax and laugh at themselves. That is if they...meaning you have an ip camera system already.

Note that in the video the Office star is viewing her 'baby' on a laptop...which I'm sure you already knew. That is the amazing thing about IP surveillance and home security! Although they are making fun of it in the Office Elevator spin off...its ture. What do they say about satires...If their making em and they're making em about you...you made it....welcome to the big time IP cameras.

Hiring a Nanny

How to Hire a Nanny

1. Time… You must, must, must know how many hours you need your nanny or babysitter to work before you even begin to look for one in your local papers or online. Way before you even hire a nanny, you should have a general idea of how many hours a week, maximum, you’ll need her to work. If you have a schedule that changes frequently, be sure to mention that up front and be sure your nanny can accommodate that. When your schedule does change or emergencies come up, let the nanny know as soon as you can. This can be especially important with a live in nanny; she may end up feeling trapped or taken for granted in you don’t extend this simple courtesy.

2. Compensation… You must, must, must know what range you are willing to spend of your baby sitter or nanny. Don't be cheap...I repeat do not be cheap. This issue should be decided up front. You should know what you can afford to pay before you start looking. Do your homework. See what type of fees and salaries agencies are getting for their placements. If anyone in your family or even possibly a friend that has a nanny, ask what she pays. A live in nanny generally gets a weekly salary, including room and board. Some families include the use of a car and it’s expenses as a perk. If your nanny must use her own vehicle during her care of your child, be sure to compensate her accordingly. Nannies who live out are generally paid on an hourly scale. Au pairs tend to get lower weekly salaries, but you often pay their travel expenses to and from their country of origin. Be sure to check on all federal and local tax regulations concerning withholding and social security. You and your nanny will have to pay these in order for you to claim her salary as a childcare deduction on your income tax return.

3. Discipline/child rearing issues… You’ll need to discuss in clear terms what is and is not acceptable when disciplining your child. The same should be done for key issues like TV time, naps, snacks, etc. Be sure they are understood from the beginning and check to make sure they are being followed.

4. Vacation Time… You must have at least a rough idea as to how much vaction time your nanny or baby sitter may be looking forward to having. You simply can not have someone who plans on taking months off at a time. That would be utterly useless. do not i repeat do not be afraid to demand long hours and very few extended vacations for your nanny. Remember you are looking to hire them. Now in saying all of that don't take it as i am demanding that you run a muck with your requirements in so far as time as you will need to pay them handseomely for it...remember that. A nanny, like any other employee, needs time off. This is especially key with a live in nanny. Unless otherwise agreed upon, your nanny is not there to baby-sit your child when you go out to dinner or away for a weekend. If you do ask her to do these things for you, in addition to any regular work hours, she will need to be compensated, either with extra pay or with time off during the week. If you ask your nanny to travel with you and your family, you should pay all her costs for the trip (transportation, lodging, food, entrance fees, etc.) as well as her regular salary.

South Korea's military grade nanny cam...meet the SRG-A1.

S. Korea takes nanny surveillance up a notch with the SRG-A1

The Samsung military grade nanny cam. There is so much to say here...but one has to imagine that somewhere off in the not so distant future something like the samsung srg-a1 will be in our homes and offices. Ok, right well obviously it wont be pumping 50 caliber rounds into your lazy babysitter, but it might tell her to watch the milk because its about to boil and hell maybe it could shoot off some bean bag rounds. Ok, maybe not at the baby sitter but at a home intruder why not?

This is the desk launcher on steroids.

With the desk launcher you can pick off any unwarranted advances on your desk or cubicle. It's cute and funny and clearly where samsung is going with there SRG-A1 military grade surveillance device. So maybe they couldn't be sold on the same shelf...or even in the same store but its funny how they are very similar. One just happens to hurl 50 millimeter lead rounds at 5000 feet per second. Well in saying that maybe there not quite the same at all. oh well bottom line

So pretty much this ultimate nanny cam is in fact a Surveillance & Security Guard Robot, which was developed by the fine folks at Samsung Techwin and being funded by the Korean government, has the purpose of protecting the major military base and national strategic site.
The system is designed to replace a human-oriented guards, or your nanny overcoming their limitation of discontinuous guarding mission due to its severe weather condition or fatigue, so that the perfect guarding operation is guaranteed and your babies and well all of your belongings...and pretty much anything you want to protect with a 2 ton metal hurling nanny cam.

Nanny Cam with Remote Computer Access

So essentially what were talking about today is IP surveillance in the home. Boring...right? But wait thats what I've been talking about for the past 8 posts...well stop reading then because for the most part this blog is going to talk about watching over your children and all of your belongings. Long and short of it is your security is what i have in mind. It's crazy right? No? Well good and to those out there who think its boring your house probably just got broken into. Ok, that's a little bit dramatic but seriously you have got to become more hip its 2008 people. This to remember when your searching for Remote Computer access which would actually be called an IP Camera Security solution but who cares. It's a camera, its a recorder what else do you have to remember? Well a bit so here goes.

Nanny Cams with remote computer access are ip cameras

An IP network camera is similar in form and function to an analog surveillance camera in that it captures and sends live video streams, except that with
IP Cameras the live video streams are transported via digital packets across an IP network such as a LAN (Local Area Network)or the Internet. Because
IP Network Cameras are on an IP network, the video streams can be accessed and stored remotely. This enables users to view and/or manage the IP camera using a standard Web browser or video management software from different locations, giving businesses increased flexibility.

Apartment Security with IP Cameras

Home security in a new apartment

First thing you should do is change the lock...right? Wrong! The first thing you should do is install an ip surveillance system that you can remotely monitor. If that seems a bit over the top let me start off with an anecdote as to why you should be shopping for one right now.

I recently moved into an apartment in the Downtown area and its nice really as so far as apartments are in the city its really nice. 1000 some odd square feet, wood floors, marble and stainless steel kitchen, tile bathroom, you get it...its nice and like all things nice it isn't cheap. In fact its more than most of my friends houses when you factor in the cable, electric bill and monthly UFC fight.

It's funny all along my rents were prodding me to buy a house. Their argument was a good one. "If you're going to spend that much on rent why not just buy a house and build equity in something?" But I thought I don't want to deal with the pains of owning a house...do I? Well I do now. It's been a dreadful experience living in this apartment. There has been no heat in my apartment for 10 out of the past 30 days. People it's Buffalo, and if you don't know already its cold...0 degrees kinda cold.

Maintenance workers have been in and out of my apartment for most of the month and the only reason I know this is because my front door has been left open a number of times and my year old English bulldog has been left to run around the apartment complex...shes nice (see abov...nice things don't always come cheap). So here in lies the sole reason why IP camera network security has found its way into my life, one word...negligence.

If I would have previously installed a ptz camera system throughout my entire apartment do you think maintenance workers would be walking around my apartment tracking mud all over the wood floors and my black leather couches? I think not.

If your looking to avoid maintenance workers freely meandering in and out of your apartment and watching your brand lcd you may want to think about just replacing that front door lock. Don't you have to give management a copy of that key anyway? What's the point then right? Well the point of having a network camera set up is that you can monitor your English bulldog puppy and all your other possessions from the comfort of your office or in that case any where on the planet.

I know assuming makes an ass out of people and it did to me once again. I assumed that the large management company that I rent from in Buffalo would be privy to the local tenant laws and rights to privacy...well obviously if they are sitting on my couch watching my television letting my bulldog run wild they are not as privy as I thought.

Ok, so I'm rambling a bit let me get back to basics...nanny cams, IP network cams, CCTV...they are all the same. The all have the same task and give or take they all function in similar ways. They protect. They over see. They watch. They watch when an owner can't. Whether you live in the country, in suburbia or in a high rise home security cameras are a modern day necessity in the ever escalating war on crime. They are a cornerstone to protecting your sanctuary...your home.

• They protect your children


• Cameras can protect your favorite sweat shirt or your wifes favorite earrings that cost you about 2 months salary.


• CCTV systems can protect your dog


• Bottom line network cameras can give you the power to watch over all of your possessions from anywhere on the planet.


• IP Network Cameras buy you peace of mind which is something that is not always possible

Are Nanny Cams legal?

Courts rule in favor of nanny cams

It is now currently legal in all 50 states to use a hidden camera that record video without the consent of the nanny. However, the laws vary from state to state on whether you can record audio. Before taping conversation without consent from your nanny was illegal now before you all putting up excessive cameras and audio devices all over your property it is still always a good idea to check with state and local officials. bottom line..check the laws before you go IP crazy.

As we all are well aware of at this point. Nanny Cams are very small cameras, wireless or wired ip cameras, that feed into a VCR kept somewhere else in the house. Some more expensive models can feed to a computer at your work or to your cell phone. Cameras are sold in various household items to be inconspicuous like in a clock, smoke alarm, potted plant, or picture frame. Prices vary anywhere from $100.00 to $1000.00.

Nanny surveillance cams catch burglars

Nanny Cams protect your home

These cameras aren't just for protecting your children there also great at protecting your house when your not at home. You can monitor your house from an IP address and from that you can monitor anywhere you place the cameras in your house. All you need is an internet connection and your entire house can be covered.

for instance if you are on vacation or even right down the street at work you can monitor your home. Say you have a safe in your bedroom and you feel that you need more security around it...well heres the answer, IP surveillance.

I know, I know I tout and tout about it...well its true. If you use IP security you are a step ahead of the criminals. Some people see it as spying...well it isn't. If it is in your own house and it's protecting your goods and valuables then its all fair.

Inexpensive Nanny Cam saves child's life

The above video is horrendous and stomach turning. It is a captured video from an IP camera that shows the mistreatment of an infant. It was captured using an inexpensive nanny cam. This is an item that every home should be outfitted with. take for instance the story above. They suspected that there was abuse happening when the parents and other mindful adults were not around. So they turned to a covert camera such as the one used above to see exactly what was going on with the child.

Protect your kids from Baby Sitter farts!

We have all been there...interviewing baby sitters or being interviewed to be a baby sitter. The following is a list of character flaws to look out for during the interview process and baby sitters this is a cautionary list...so think twice next time you fart on a job interview.

• If the baby sitter sitting across from you asks for a vodka tonic when you ask if she would like a water its not a good start...point her to the door and suggest that she finds a new career...such as a politician they seem like the boozie type.


• If the baby sitter across from you can't stop texting and says things like omg, and lol...show her the door unless you want your new born to only speak aol instant messenger gibberish.


• If the 17 year old baby sitter starts playing footsie with you and answers your wifes questions with a smile...move on...that is unless of course you want to end up in prison.


• If you mention that you have a nanny cam and the baby sitter winks at you and licks her lips...move on, and yes even if she does it to your wife...its prison dummy remember?


• One simple rule that parents always seem to forget...If they have dirt under all of their nails and you feel dirty after shaking their hands imagine them wiping your kids behind...show them the door and hand them a wipee for their time.


• One obvious rule is if you wouldn't want them serving you food at a fast food restaurant then you might want to think about them preparing your children's fish sticks.


• If they smell...politely ask them to leave. there just not going to work out. If they can't bath themselves how the heck are they going to be able to bath your sons after playing in a ditch all day? there not...so move right along and hand them a bar of soap for their time.


• If they burp, fart or are in any way disgusting...show them the door. My 23 year old distant cousin, to this day does all the above and then smiles and says what ever comes from the body is natural, my nanny told me so...and its a girl. Do you want your little princesses or princes doing this on job interviews years from now? I don't think so...politely point to the door and keep looking.


• If the baby sitter sitting across from you smells like a bar or a grateful dead concert...move on. Drugs and alcohol really don't mix. Move on and point them to the nearest rehab facility or don't its your call.

MSNBC Nanny Cam Expose - child abuse caught on tape

Nanny Cams caught child abuse

IP Cameras can give you both peace of mind and security. Look at what was recently captured on a home ip surveillance camera. Just look at what happened to these children in this home. It truly is appalling. I can't imagine what it would be like to see my children being simply thrown around. The woman in the video immediately got into her car left work and drove home only to find the baby sitter sitting on the couch and not paying any attention at all to her children.

You have to remember a baby sitters privacy of course but the security and well being of your children your first responsibility. So if you do plan on using a thermostat nanny cam you could possibly use it in a proactive way and we'll talk more about that in our next post.