Our phones track our locations, Facebook reads our minds for marketing inspiration, and Alexa knows all of your business. This is, and has pretty much always been our lives as millennials growing up in the technological age. So around the clock surveillance of our children is just the next step in the evolution of parenting… at least that’s how I’ve rationalized my behavior to myself.
Let’s go back about 5 months.
While visiting family in Chicago last December, my brother gifted me 3 Yi Home security cameras. No this wasn’t just a random gift. I had been lusting after them ever since my mom and aunts started using them to keep an eye on my grandmother while they weren’t able to visit. I saw this as a great opportunity and had he not gifted them to me, I would have surely bought them myself. Thanks kid!
My Home Security Cameras
You can buy a single camera, a double pack or a set of four of these Yi Home Security cameras from Amazon.com. They are easy to set up and you can even allow a family member access to see your live feed. Each camera can be shut off and on from the app.
ProTip: Turn off the indicator light if this freaks out your kids (or husband… sorry babe) and just tell them that they cameras aren’t on 😉
Each camera can be easily arranged around the house, and unplugging doesn’t force you to spend extra time resetting everything! The cameras display a live stream video with a few seconds delay. Each camera allows sound so you can hear and speak through the camera with a voice option. You can purchase cloud storage and record video too, for an extra cost. I have 3 cameras in my house. One in our open living/ kitchen area, one in the play room/ office and another in the kids bedroom.
As soon as I got home from that Chicago visit, I connected them and haven’t looked back since. Prior to the pandemic I worked remotely 5 days a week. Sounds lovely right? Enter my 1
year old. Having her at home while trying to work 40hrs a week was… complicated. Unfortunately, it was also necessary because of childcare costs. So I began using the cameras just so that I could monitor her in her room and other designated areas while I worked. Honestly, it really helped, especially as she got more independent.
How We Use Security Cameras at Home with Toddlers
Now that I’m not working I still use them a lot! What started as a baby sitting tool has turned into an obsession. But hear me out! Every mom I know is driven crazy by her kids 24/7 but as soon as she is at work or way from them too long you’ll find her looking at old pictures or videos of them in her phone. If you go out with your mom friend, even if she tries to hid this, at one point in the night she will call or text to check on the kids, no matter who is watching them (but especially if their dad is watching them).
I also know that all of us parents have had moments when the kids are quiet and when you go to check on them you see that they were actually peacefully playing (for once) or dosed off for a nap. The only problem with this is that if they see you, that momentary peace is over! God forbid you accidentally make eye contact with a baby who is drifting off to sleep! Tape the windows, a hurricane is coming! But with security cameras I can see and hear what’s going on and never have to disturb any one or move from my spot.
This might sound crazy (especially this next section) but if we really take an honest look at things, I’m not surprised we (I) ended up here. I know I’m not the only 90’s kid that grew up watching Smart House on Disney and wishing Katy Sagal was our house mom! She knew EVERYTHING, she saw EVERYTHING and she handled EVERYTHING! Honestly, they didn’t deserve her but thats another story.
Well, now I am Katy Sagal and if someone needs to be blamed, blame that billion dollar mouse!
The Benefits of Home Security Cameras for Parents
So here are a few examples of how I use my cameras:
1. To check if my kids are awake in the morning (this lets me know if I need to pretend to still be asleep)
2. To check the house if I hear a noise (because I’m paranoid)
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| Sister Moment! |
3. If one is crying, I check in to see how urgent it is (usually they are just fine as long as they dont see mommy)
4. If I’m working in the yard, I can periodically check in on them
5. If they’re too quiet for too long, I take a peek. This is usually when I catch some really sweet sibling bonding that I might normally miss.
6. To see who is still napping, who is faking it and who played with toys the entire time
7. While watching a movie with hubby, I can check in on them
8. Check to see who is asleep at bedtime and who is playing with toys in the dark
9. When I’m out, is hubby playing with them or ignoring them.
10. On vacation or out of town on business, I can see what they are up to without disrupting the flow with a FaceTime call
Just to name a few…
My girls are 1 and 4 years old right now. I’ll probably keep the camera in their bedroom for another year or so and remove it when I don’t need to monitor them as closely. But for now, I feel like this helps ease my peace of mind and allows me to relax a bit when they aren’t in my eye sight. This is obvious, but I will say it anyway, my house is baby proofed. I do not leave my children unattended for long periods of time (cameras or not) and for the most part they are not bothered by them at all.
Thank you do much for reading!! Do you use security cameras or a nanny cam to monitor your children? Are yo considering one now? lol Let me know!
