LilSugar

Mommy's Lil Spy: The Nanny Cam

LilSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:00:35 -0800

It's hard to know who to trust with your child so some parents turn to in home surveillance devices to keep a watchful eye on their caregiver. A friend of a staffer here at Sugar HQ decided to invest in one to ease her concerns about her nanny, despite the woman's great references and clean record. Thankfully, she did.

In this shocking video from the hidden cam, the mother learned her twin babes had been manhandled, left in extremely unsafe positions and put at high risk for injuries. After viewing the footage while at work, she promptly went home and fired the nanny. The police are now involved and fortunately, the lil boys were not harmed.

To learn more about nanny cams just read more.

There are a variety of nanny cams on the market, mostly wireless devices hidden inside any household item. Prices can range from $100 to $500 and can be purchased in electronic stores or online. It is legal to use a hidden camera in your home in all 50 states, however it is illegal to record speech without a person's consent in the following 15 states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Some polls and studies have shown that the childcare providers don't object to being video taped while they care for the children, but just want to be informed about it. Of course if your gut is telling you to get a nanny cam, chances are the caregiver needs to go.

Lil Find: Children's Camera

LilSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:00:55 -0800

Help your lil kids hone their budding photography skills and capture moments with this digital camera. The Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera comes in two models, blue and pink.

The controls are simple enough for a small child to use and the toy is tough enough to withstand clumsiness. To learn more about this camera for small shutterbugs, read more.

Kids get a kick out of being able to see the images they take on the preview screen and will snap everything in sight since the camera can store over 60 pictures.

Although the price is a bit hefty for a toy, it's an alternative for parents who aren't ready to trust their own digital camera to small hands.

Trendtotting: "Fake" Cameras For Aspiring Photographers

LilSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:17:44 -0800

If you're not ready to send your photographer in training into the woods with a children's digital camera you might consider picking him or her up a fake camera - or inexpensive one with limited abilities - so they can play photographer without breaking your coveted cam.

I love the classic low tech appeal of the wooden camera, $26, which lets lil ones see what's on the other side of the lens without filling up a memory card or roll of film. If your snapper is too advanced for a technology free gadget, try an inexpensive, but functioning vintage camera, $12.99.

Wooden Camera ($26)	Optrixx Cameras ($10)
Miniature Vintage Camera ($10)	Vintage Kodak Starmite ($12.99)
Lomography Oktomat Camera ($40)	Hello Kitty Bling Digital Camera ($58)
Split Cam ($16)	Pop Cam ($16)

Toy Box: VTech Kidizoom Digital Camera

babysugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:00:43 -0800

Every time I take a picture of my five-year-old niece, she immediately wants to see the results. She's part of a generation born into immediate gratification. If she had it her way, she'd have her lil hands on one of these VTech Kidizoom Cameras ($70) made for pint-sized shutterflies. The price is a little daunting, but there's more to this camera than meets the lens.

The Kidizoom holds up to 120 still images or five minutes of video. When your loved one wants to take a break from all of her snapshots, she can play up to three video games that come with a set of headphones.

The camera is recommended for children age three years and up. And unlike most digital cameras, this one only requires four AAA batteries, which makes it easy to manage. Made of durable plastic with large buttons and viewfinders, the gadget is more than kid-friendly.

Who knows, you might have a lil Annie Liebowitz on your hands!

Sugarbabies: We Love Fall!

Lil Community — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:00:50 -0800

This post comes from user Amba123 in our Sugarbabies group!

We live in Oregon and it's beginning to get cold and rainy. I love this picture of Kenley. She looks like a miniature woman in her little peacoat! She loves hamming it up for the camera!

Don't you want to see your wee one on our LilSugar site? Don't wait another minute. Join our Sugarbabies group over in the LilSugar Community and share your priceless pictures. It's easy!

To see how to do it, just read more.

Create a PopSugar Account or login to your account.
Join the Sugarbabies group
Click "New Post" under the Sugarbabies tab at the top of the page.
Give your story a "Title."
Insert a photo of your babe.
Fill in the "Body" if you want to give us a snippet of the shot.
Add keyword(s) in the tag field with relevant tags (for example mine for this story was "Sugarbabies").
Click "Create Post" to submit content.

5 Must-Have Gadgets For Moms

babysugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:00:50 -0700

From cell phones to cameras, mommies can hardly get by without their electronics these days. They can save her from getting lost, keeping up with her schedule and maintaining her savvy aura. While they may put a dent in the wallet, there are five wired gadgets that every woman should treat herself to when she welcomes a baby into her world.

View Slideshow ›

Sugarbabies: Finding His Fingers

Lil Community — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:00:55 -0800

This comes from user PRSugar in the Sugarbabies group.

My hospital stay with my second baby was a bit hectic with visitors, the hospital staff and visits from my older son, so I cherished the quiet mornings my baby and I had to ourselves. On our third day, my newest one discovered his fingers! Luckily I had my camera in my hand at just the right minute!

Don't you want to see your wee one on our LilSugar site? Don't wait another minute. Join our Sugarbabies group over in the LilSugar Community and share your priceless pictures. Your lil ones could be featured on the site!

Does Your Family Take Professional Photos?

babysugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:00:08 -0800

'Tis the time of the year for professional photographers to make their bundles of cash. Families are taking to the parks and beaches in their ironed shirts and their coiffed hair in hopes of taking the perfect photo for their holiday cards. While they make for gorgeous cards, the glossy black and whites also make ideal gifts for grandparents and they may make the spot right over the fireplace more attractive than ever. Those not willing to pay extra cash on the shutterbug have learned how to use the self-timer mode on their own camera and jump into the shot at the last minute often making their family portraits more realistic and even entertaining. (If you do take your own, make sure you read these tips!)

So tell us, do you hire the professionals to do the job or do you click away yourself?

Source

What Would You Do? School Photographer "Enhances" Photos

babysugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:00:30 -0800

Pigtails are put up and collars are popped - it's picture day at school! Dressed up in their stain-free tees, moms and dads encourage their little angels to stay clean and smile big for the camera. Regardless of the results, most parents will tell their wee ones how gorgeous they look and frame it for their desk. So how would you feel if someone took your child's image and airbrushed any "imperfections" out of it? That's what happened to one Swedish father. His 3-year-old daughter's preschool image appeared less than perfect to the man behind the lens. Instead of providing the dad with the image captured, he airbrushed the child's scar off her nose. Upset about the unapproved changes, the father said:

It's just not right, it's a sign that people refuse to accept the world as it is and all these problems associated with idealized beauty just seem wrong. They assume that parents don't want scars, but I do. The scar is a part of who she is.

While he may not like it, some parents don't mind when the photographer takes off a scratch on the cheek, a bruised lip or a runny nose. So tell mommy, would you want your child's school photo enhanced or left as-is?

Flickr user Daveynin

The Gifted Mama: Presents For a Mother-to-Be

babysugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:00:07 -0800

It's hard to find anyone more deserving of pampering this holiday season than the expectant mother. Before she welcomes a babe into her arms, the bumpalicious lady will appreciate being gifted with these generous gifts.

A gift certificate to a prenatal massage will help mommy relax while giving the baby some motion in the amniotic ocean. Help the mommy keep her picture perfect tummy with the Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Butter. She'll be able to tell you all about her pregnancy but her stomach will have no signs of the nine months. Give her a head start on her postpartum meals with a gift certificate to a meal delivery service. She won't be able to thank you enough for the ability to sit back and eat instead of stewing over the stove. And if you're feeling really lavish, treat the pregnant lady to a digital Nikon camera. The photo quality is delicious and she can snap away at her new beauty all day long.