Mom Central: Hot Parenting Products

Honestech VHS to DVD 3.0 Deluxe

Remember those first camcorders? Big, bulky numbers that used a full-size VHS tape and cost a small fortune? We thought we were state-of-the-art when we had a friend use one to videotape our wedding. And later we were thrilled to catch our kids’ first steps, first words, and first dance routines on tape forever, or so we thought. And though we’ve long since switched over to DVDs and digital downloads for our movies, we have been holding onto our old VHS player for years so we will still have a way of sharing these great family memories. Well thanks to Honestech, we now have a better way to accomplish this. Honestech’s VHS to DVD 3.0 Deluxe is a new, inexpensive software that allows you to transfer your VHS tapes to a DVD/CD format at home. The package, currently only available for PCs, comes with software, the MyVidbox capture device, a high-speed cable, and easy-to-follow instructions. The only things you need are a computer, your VHS player or camcorder, a recordable disc, and the tape you want transferred. This ingenious gadget is terrific, both easy to install and simple to use. Best of all, it ensures you’ll be able to save and share all of your home videos, no matter how long ago they were taken, making this new software not just practical, but indispensable.
Click here to buy now!VHS To DVD 3.0 Deluxe.

BOB the Time Manager

I cannot count the number of times I have shouted “Turn off the TV!” to my kids before they finally listen. Now I have BOB the Time Manager, and I don’t have to say a word. Bob is a small device that looks similar to a calculator that monitors and controls the hours your kids spend staring at the set. Simply plug your television, gaming system, or computer into BOB, which then plugs into any electrical outlet. You, the parent, are the “Master User” and the only one who can set and change the hours and time blocks allotted.

Your kids create 4-digit PIN numbers that must be entered before turning on the TV (BOB manages up to 6 users). You set time limits for each child either per day or per week. When that time is used up, the TV, video game or whatever it may be turns off automatically for the rest of the day or week with a 60-second warning of the impending shut-off.

You can also block out specific time periods throughout the day, such as right after school when homework or chores take priority, after you’ve gone to bed when the kids sneak in that extra Internet surfing, or on your night out when the kids have learned to bribe the babysitter to watch the late-night movie. What I like most about BOB is that it not only teaches your kids to budget their fun time but to genuinely appreciate it. We know how easy it is for kids (and admittedly we adults) to veg out in front of the TV the whole afternoon, not getting much out of it except for bug eyes. Knowing they have time restrictions, kids will more carefully select only their favorite programs and then truly enjoy them. It’ll probably take some getting used to…I initially set time limits by the week and my son, without thinking, used it all in one day! He was infuriated when he realized he couldn’t access BOB until the timer reset the following week. Ouch—pretty painful, but he sure learned fast especially since there’s no arguing with BOB.

Click here to buy now!BOB - Screen Time Manager - Manage Your TV Time

Lights, Cameras, Action!

I am always looking for ways to get the whole family involved in activities together, and with the holidays coming up, I can already hear my kids saying “I’m bored!” two days into break. My new solution, Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action for Xbox 360. It’s so easy to use. Even for a video game beginner like myself I was able to set the console up to begin challenging my family with their movie knowledge. You simply plug the receiver into the back of the Xbox console, aim your controller and play. Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action includes more than 1,800 questions and twenty-one different types of games, so it’s fun for everyone in the family to play. The games include  "Credit Roll," a game in which you guess the film based on a list of characters and actors, "Child’s Play," where you guess the name of the film based on a child’s drawing of a film scene, and "Quotables," where you are challenged to finish a famous line from a featured film.

The game comes with four wireless Big Button Pads, so each player has his or her own buzzer. Buzz in with the colored A, B, X, Y buttons to win points based on how quickly you can answer each question. The longer it takes you to answer, the fewer points you are awarded. Some of the questions might be a little more difficult for younger children (they may not know who Humphrey Bogart is) but this is also a great reason to play in teams, involving all generations who have gathered for the holidays. The only problem I noticed was that the points don’t add up from level to level, so if you play for a longer period of time, you’ll have to add your score after each round to determine who wins overall.

I would definitely recommend this as a great holiday gift for any family with an Xbox – or as a gift to yourself, guaranteeing lots of laughs whether you’re playing with friends at a holiday party or your kids after dinner. Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action is available anywhere Xbox games are sold for $59.99, which is a little more then most Xbox games are sold for, but the 4 wireless controllers and the hours of entertainment make it more than worth it. May the force be with you!

Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action

Me Movies

Here’s a cool way for your child to play a starring role in a movie, without ever leaving your house! It’s extremely easy to do: just upload the child’s photo onto the Me Movies’ website (or e-mail it separately), and a 30-minute cartoon is personalized and mailed out to you. There are two stories to choose from, Bee and Me and Bee’s Costume Party, both of which include endless scenes of your child accompanying the main character, Bee, on his adventures. The animation is clear, colorful and fun, and your child’s photo is neatly superimposed onto a cartoon body that moves and changes throughout the story. 

The videos are recommended for kids up to age 7, and there’s no question they’ll get a kick out of seeing their face and name spoken throughout the movie. It makes a great keepsake, and you’ll get a kick out of the price⎯$29.95. To order, visit www.memovies.com.