You trust this person with your children, and you want to have a nannycam, but you’re concerned that the conversation might be a little awkward. It doesn’t need to be. Here are some tips for talking with your nanny and some conversation samples.

Imagine these conversations with a nanny or babysitter, whether you have an existing relationship or are forming a new one. First, introducing the idea.

“I really would prefer to be home but I just can’t right now, and seeing them while I’m at the office makes me feel more connected. I figure you’ll be in the playroom and living room mostly, so I put them there. Do you think those are the best spots? You can move them around if you want to.”

Adding something personal that really relates to your child and the way you feel will make the conversation a lot easier, and a lot easier to relate to for your nanny.

If you are a new mom or dad:

“I’m not entirely ready to go back to work and I need to see Jacob. I don’t like being away and this helps me feel a little closer.”

It’s not just for the parents, kids like it too:

“I told Suzy that I’d be able to see here through the camera and showed her on my phone. I think she’ll feel a little less separated from me, too.”

…and…

“Suzy knows that if she stands in front of the motion-camera and holds up her drawings that I’ll get an email. It’s her way of sending me a message.”

If you’ve been working with you child on their reading:

“I’d like to see how he’s doing during reading time.”

If you’re looking for more connection:

“I really like it when I can see her laugh and ask her about it when I get home. I like the idea that she knows I’m kind of ‘there’, and when I know some detail about the day, it helps me connect.”

Some things to point out here:

• You’re not asking permission, you’re informing. They are your children.
• You’re speaking to an equal, a trusted partner in your child’s caretaking.
• Pointing out where the cameras are, and why you selected those locations is a clear signal that this is about connecting with your kids.
• If for some reason, you don’t see them in those areas, it also sets the stage for adding/moving cameras or asking where they were.

If you have a pattern of calling in or would like to, you can also add something like:

“I like to call in to find out when Sally took her nap/say hello/talk with my daughter, and this will give me a really easy way to see her at the same time. I know your hands are full so this should be easier to manage.”

If this is part of your process for selecting a new nanny, you can add something more firm, such as:

“I want to be able to check in when I need to be reassured. To me, this is part of being a Father and if it makes you uncomfortable, I understand, but this is non-negotiable.”

Parents only want the best for their kids. If you are interviewing a prospective nanny and they are reluctant to have the cameras, follow your instincts.

VueZone’s nannycam system allows remote, on-demand viewing and motion-activated recording with email alerts. View video feed from any web browser, iPhone or Android smartphone.

Let’s face it, when it comes to products like nanny cams, there is a controversial connotation of “spying on people.” And the question emerges, are we using this kind of technology to spy on our nanny, or just to see our kid? But, maybe that‘s the wrong question. The right one, especially for parents is, “Given the the importance of my child’s well-being, and privacy issues aside, is it worth the risk not to use technology for increased security and peace of mind? Before I go on, I think it’s also important to note that this is not a rant on the evils of society. I believe that the vast majority of people are good, honest and honorable.

Technology has dramatically changed the way we receive and consume information. These days, news can be instantly transmitted to the world via satellites and the Internet. I have often wondered, upon seeing all the bad things happening, if this time in history is worse than the past, or if it’s just that access to news and information is just way more efficient now. I believe it’s the latter.

This, of course, ties into the use of technology like nanny cams. Allow me to set the stage… There are few things that touch our collective hearts like the impulse to protect children, especially our own. This ingrained and biological instinct to protect kids may lead some to alter their usual moral compass on privacy issues; an understandable compromise for sure. Over-worked and busy parents often employ in-home help to watch their kids when they are away. And, in this day and age, these same parents can’t help but wonder if their kids are safe and sound.

There are many “nanny cams” on the market now. Some are the type that you can conceal, the so-called “hidden nanny cams.” I envision a teddy bear with a hidden video camera sitting on a shelf in my house “watching” to make sure our loved and respected babysitter isn’t doing anything dubious. These hidden cameras are one type, but there are others that are much more obvious. These, like the VueZone nanny cam system, present a more straightforward and honest arrangement between the parent and the nanny or babysitter.

Therein lies the difference between feeling good about your nanny cam or not – the difference is in how you actually communicate with your nanny (see our field guide for communicating about this issue). If you want to be able to keep an eye on your children, there shouldn’t be any reason to feel guilty about having a camera. The difference lies in how you communicate with your nanny about it. As it turns out, being straightforward and honest about your intentions doesn’t have to be a difficult conversation. Plus, those with nothing to hide will be unconcerned and understanding. And, at the same time, you have given full-disclosure and provided the option to work in a different household if your terms are unacceptable.

It is likely true that the world has always had the same level danger, and in the past people simply weren’t aware of much of what was going on, save for word of mouth, newspapers and, later, the television news. Even though I have certain nostalgia for these simpler times, my feet are firmly planted in the present; I cannot un-know what I know. That is why I believe, when used with full disclosure, nanny cams offer the modern parent with a necessary and ethical tool for keeping an eye on kids.

Here we go again…making things better and improving the VueZone user experience! A few days ago, we launched the next evolution of my.VueZone.com – your personal account and camera viewing page. Remember all those things you told us you wanted in the surveys and emails? Well, we DO listen and are ticking down the list, implementing the most requested features. Perhaps the most important is our support for Chrome 10+ and Internet Explorer 9 browsers, in addition to Firefox and Safari.

Here are a few more key features:
1. Camera preferences and last view settings are saved for next time.
2. Camera control bar has updated navigation.
3. Quick change to easily toggle between viewing modes.

And we are proud to unveil a new diagnostics page to help you quickly resolve any performance issues. To see an overview of the new changes, visit VueZone.com/whatsnew. Or better yet, login to your VueZone system and take it for a spin! Keep those survey responses and emails coming…and stay tuned for more exciting VueZone news and products!

No wires. No power cords. No reason not to buy a new VueZone system this weekend!

Declare your independence from wires this July 4th. And declare your independence from paying full price on everything in the VueZone Shop until midnight, July 4th. Just enter coupon code: FIREWORKS

Take advantage of this special promotion and get FREE shipping, too.

The Founding Fathers would be amazed at the ability to remotely see their home, their family and anything else with VueZone wire-free video viewing. But they would also be amazed at cars, airplanes and electricity. Let’s save that topic for another time.

Save 15% on everything now at the VueZone Shop! Enter coupon code: FIREWORKS

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at VueZone!

Just hours remain to come up with a catchy, clever, funny, incredibly apropos name for the latest VueZone quirky video on Facebook (warning: watch at your own peril!). If you submit the best name, you will win a new VueZone system! If you already have a system, we’ll send you a new add-on camera. Think you can come up with a better name than some of these gems already submitted?

Watch Out For The Boss!

Peek-a-boo, The Boss Sees You

Maybe your title is even better. But hurry, the competition ends at midnight June 30th. It’s easy to submit your name. Just go to the VueZone Facebook page and follow the simple steps. Do it now while your creative juices are flowing!

Dear VueZone,

I want to thank you for your wonderful service. Thanks to you, I no longer stand wrongly accused, and I’ve reclaimed my rightful place as emperor of my kingdom. Let me explain…

A few months ago my stateroom started becoming inexplicably disturbed. Food would be scattered about, things would be knocked onto the floor, and there would be a foul stench in the air. My subjects would blame me, and say things like, “Bean – what has gotten into you?” Of course, I was indignant. Everyone knows I’m one of the cleanest creatures on Earth. What other creature licks itself so clean that it coughs up hair balls? But I digress.

The situation was becoming increasingly tense with each incident. I was furious that my subjects were letting this happen to me – and insulted that they would blame me for the crime! After a while they hatched a scheme – to use video to ‘catch me in the act.’

I did not think much about their plan. First, I knew I was innocent. Second, my subjects aren’t too bright. They haven’t installed any system more complex than a toaster – ever. So you can imagine my surprise when they were streaming live video over the Internet within minutes of opening the box. But what happened next almost knocked me off my feet.

Within days, they had indeed caught the perp in the act. The cameras started rolling automatically thanks the motion detection feature. Sure, he’s wearing a mask, but I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to ID him in a lineup!

Thanks a million, VueZone…you vindicated me! And I have the video evidence to prove it.

Perrrfectly Pleased,
Bean the Cat

New VueZone systems and cameras with motion detection are now shipping!

So now, instead of “stumbling” onto a live video stream of the kids making mud pies in the living room – your VueZone motion activated camera will send you an alert with a video clip of muddy furniture that moves you to tears.

When your dog decides to tease the cat into hysterics, you’ll get an email alert that moves you to laughter.

Or when you spot an unwanted intruder in an otherwise empty house, thanks to a motion activated alert, you could be moved to action and call 911.

When you order your new VueZone system, you can choose from one or two camera kits and add more cameras at anytime. If you already have a VueZone system, you can easily add a new motion detection camera with a simple click of the sync button.

But the best news of all – VueZone has new lower prices and now ships with free Basic Service! Each system also includes a 90-day trial of the new Premier Service.

What will move you to tears…to laughter…or to action with a new VueZone motion detection system?

Each year, thousands rush to San Diego’s famed Balboa Park to see one of the most popular art exhibitions in the US – Art Alive at the San Diego Museum of Art. Now you can see a bit of it live via Vue!

Vue is pleased to continue our live video/art association with the Museum for this extravaganza of floral design integrated with the art collection. A tiny Vue camera has been placed in the Museum Rotunda to showcase the stunning floral entry to this year’s exhibition. Just click HERE to go to the Art Alive site and click on the video link to see a live view of the Rotunda.

Perhaps you’ll see a floral designer putting final touches on an arrangement. Maybe you’ll drop in on one of the evening patron events to be held over the next few days. Possibly, you will be motivated to go see the amazing full exhibition in person. But hurry, Art Alive only runs April 29-May 1. After all, flowers have a finite shelf life.