Why didn't I think of this before?
When I was still employed full-time, we briefly tried a walkie talkie to communicate between rooms. Unfortunately, Skip's hands don't work well enough to operate the buttons so the experiment was a failure. I resigned myself to being summoned by mumble, mumble, mumble for the years to come.
There's a jewelry store ad running on tv that uses a video baby monitor as a prop in the story. I knew there were audio baby monitors, which I assumed only communicated one-way, but never thought that there were video ones. I took a brief look on Amazon to find a huge array of video monitors, but didn't make a decision on which to purchase. Skip and I talked about how she could signal me by waving her hand so, even if I was on the phone, I'd know she needed me. Last night, we watched an episode of The Mentalist on the DVR and saw a baby video monitor used as a plot device. This time, I saw it included 2-way communication, which I didn't realize existed, but which makes sense if I'd thought about it.
So, today I ordered the setup above on Amazon. It's got all the features I'm interested in plus a few we'll never use. Interesting features: 2.8" video monitor, mute on my end, wireless connection up to 600', secure connection to protect privacy, 2-way communication. Unnecessary features that parents will like: infrared camera for night visibility, in-room temperature monitor and 5 pre-loaded lullabys. The info on Amazon said you can use the 2-way communication to sing or speak to your baby. I've already warned Skip she'll be hearing my singing soon! Best feature of all: it's returnable for up to 365 days, as Amazon has a special return deal for baby items. So, if it turns out not to meet our needs, we can return it and try a different one.
8 comments:
Certainly you didn't think your little "now that I've started my new part-time job" comment would go unnoticed. For a woman who has "never found a job that aligned with the things I’m passionate about," the gentle reader must wonder, have the stars have aligned?
-steve
Steve - hey! Hope all is going well with you.
It's a terrible thing when your own words can be quoted back to you! :-)
Well, the stars have not aligned for me so that job = passion. But, they have aligned with respect to the kind of job I feel I can take on without overloading myself. I am working for a small company owned by the guy who was my boss at a benefits consulting firm for 11 years, so we know, like and respect each other very much. I can make some dough, work relatively short hours and all from home.
Back in the dawn of time, we did use a baby monitor. Patti's progression coincided with our toddler daughter's mobility. Monitor left one room to take up residence in another when I was down stairs, in the yard, etc. In fact those earliest models in late 80's early 90's could work almost a block away.
Seems like a 365 return policy would be bad for Amazon.. I mean buy the monitor when you need it.. and a year later when you do not return it... which marketing guy came up with that?
You can key code the lullaby's to mean something too.. like if I play twinkle star I am busy on the phone but will get to you in a second.. or if I play Mary had a little lamb that means stop pissing me off! heh.
The baby monitors seem more to me like Spy Cams or something. Pretty cool!
I bought a video baby monitor for the school where I was principal. I couldn't afford a full security system for our front office, and this served the purpose.
Now we have one for our little grandie, but he doesn't use the 2-way feature -- yet!
Peace,
Muff
Patrick - I bet the audio only monitors could transmit much further than the greater bandwidth needed for video. Fortunately, in our condo, I will have no yardwork!
Waffles - I know, that return policy is crazy! I really like your idea of using the different lullabys to signal Skip. At the very least, she'll have acknowledgment from me, like a 10-4, that I saw her signal. There definitely is a Spy Cam element ... very high tech!
Muffie - I saw you can add cameras to this system, so it could be used throughout the unit (or a school, as the case may be). Great idea for your school.
yeah on the job!
cool - the baby monitor
and boo for the silly words I now have to figure out and type to post my what was a two line comment because the cyber world is full of spam.
Jan - I hate those word verification things!
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