Dad Blogs - Useful Parenting Tips for Dads » Gadgets

Dad TV: Backing up your Digital Family Photos

Paul Banas — Thu, 20 May 2010 05:24:43 +0000

Family photos taken with a digital camera are some of the most treasured items for dads and moms. In this episode of The Lab, Daddy Clay and Daddy Troy discuss how you can archive digital photos, as well as how to backup the files to keep them safe. How often should you upload your digital pictures from your camera to the computer? ... Can you do backups using sites like Facebook or Flickr or should you consider a backup service like Mozy? Check out this video for answers to these and other important data backup questions.

Review: Submergency by Swim Ways

Eric Cooper — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:40:28 +0000

When I was growing up, the idea of a pool toy was a quarter you threw around and retrieved (and I’m only in my late 20’s!). ...And it’s easy to play, which is a big bonus with little kids and adult friends – you can dive right into the game without lengthy explanations. ... Pros: Innovative Fun Great exercise Gives a sense of urgency and excitement, especially to children Ability to set sinking level – from floating to mid-level to sunk Bright LED countdown clock Made of solid material that is meant to last Cons: None that have come up so far Please note: the Submergency can sink to the bottom of deep pools.

Two great Father’s Day gifts for Divorced Dads

Paul Banas — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:55:15 +0000

We have plenty of other gift ideas for dads in general, but here are two good gifts for divorced dads, probably from friends or family interested in supporting dads' relationships with kids who may not even be in the same city. ... Vidtel, using broadband (cable or DSL) connections, finally makes good on that promise. Because it's broadband, rather than POTS (plain old telephone service), the picture quality and voice are as good as any online connection using Skype or one of the many online video chat services. ... The ease of use of the Vidtel system also makes this a good choice for older grandparents who may not be able to use computer videoconferencing. The second is the etendi BRIDGE,, available at etendi.com.

Sony MYLO Personal Communicator – a good alternative to iPhone and iTouch with some different benefits

Paul Banas — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:42:18 +0000

Unlike an iPhone though, it is set up to make free Skype calls (to other Skype users and for a charge to regular phones) right out of the box (iPhone users must download special software and configure). ... But the best part is the integration with popular sites like AIM, YouTube, FaceBook (with Facebook Notifier) and ShoutCast, making this a fun electronic toy from the moment you open it up. ... Tin-ny sounding speakers (but not any more so than most devices this small) This may also be a good solution for kids who want portable internet access but don't want to be tethered to a telephone plan.

Baby Lift Strap – a must-have for new dads

Paul Banas — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:32:08 +0000

When you take that baby home in the little carrier on the first day, you're going to feel a little twinge when your spine curves a little to the side of your favored arm. Because the baby carrier is wide, you have to hold it out even further from your body than a suitcase or briefcase, which feels very unnatural. ... Check out the Baby Lift strap, a very low-tech device that gives you a little more support in carrying the baby and his carrier.

Boon snack ball

Paul Banas — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:37:43 +0000

Boon Snack Ball - Simple, but elegant, our kids fight over these little balls filled with goldfish or other snacks. I don't put them in their lunches though, for fear of losing them in the crowd. $6 from Amazon and BabiesRUs.

Baby Light and Clip – great gadget for fingernail-clipping dads

Paul Banas — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:07:23 +0000

Baby Light and Clip - Nail Clipper for Babies If you've ever struggled to cut a baby's finger or toenails, you'll love this little gadget. It's a very simple little tool that incorporates a basic baby fingernail clipper and a light so you can clip in the dark while they are sleeping. And, if you've ever cut down too close and actually cut your baby (yes, it does happen) because baby was struggling, or you couldn't see, this clipper has finger guard so you can't push in too deep.

Combi chopsticks trainer

Paul Banas — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:49:51 +0000

Though there are tons of things that dad might think are cool, moms seems to have a very practical sense when it comes to the big category known as gadgets. That is not to say they can't be wildly impractical when it comes to over-priced linens and diaper bags, but that is another story. In our house, however, the Combi Chop Stick Trainer was a hit, perhaps because my wife is Korean-American, but also because it does not attempt to do something for a child, but is actually a teaching aid to teach the child to eventually use the chopsticks in the correct way.

Naughty Monsters

Paul Banas — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:52:34 +0000

These are time out pillows made in the form of friendly monsters. We never used time outs very much, but I can see these adding a touch of warmth to the time out idea. ...A menacing voice threatens to eat the child the next time he has to go on the time out pad.

If you need this Flippee Toilet Shield, it’s likely a miracle product

Paul Banas — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:13:36 +0000

Without the aid of cheerios or other floating targets, he stays inside the lines, and rarely have I seen him paint the walls. ... I can only imagine how wide of the target they must have hit before she took pencil to paper and invented this gadget, the Flippee. At $24.95, and available from Potty Training Concepts and Flippee.com , you might be surprised at how simple it is.