How Geek Are You

Are You a Geek Dad? Today on DadLabs, CC Chapman http://www.digitaldads.com and Max Kalehoff http://www.attentionmax.com square off to see if they have what it takes to be: GEEK ENOUGH!

Please visit http://www.facebook.com/ciscolinksys to enter the Geek Dad Cool Contest for your chance to win $10,000 worth of home networking and entertainment prizes from Linksys. Embrace Your Inner Geek! Contest ends February 17, 2012.

Episode 846 is brought to you by Linksys - everything you need for a wireless home.

Year of the Dad

Episode 845 - Year of the Dad. What's trending in 2012? Dads! Laurie Gelman, co-host of The Mom Show talks about the shifting roles of primary care givers from Mom to Dad. There's also the scarier trend of reality TV/YouTube/internet fame influencing parenting. Parents need to be more aware of what children are watching. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 2.5 hours of "screen time" which includes ALL screens, not just TV. One way to battle technology and hours and hours of texting, bad youtube videos, and generally bad programming is family dinner. Unplug and spend genuine quality time with your family.

eProofing Your Wireless Network

Daddy Clay points out the importance of setting up a secure wireless network. It's easy to with the software that comes with your router, and can be done via the "Network and Sharing Center" control panel on PCs, or the Airport Utility on Macs. Giving the access code out also can allow access to your personal files on devices on that network. Some routers like the Linksys e4200 offer Dual Zone, Guest Zone, or SSID features which allow you to set up access to the internet, but NOT your other devices on the network. Shutting down the network is a great way to limit family access and controlling time limits for your children, particularly during certain times like study time, family dinner, or even overnight.

Please visit www.facebook.com/ciscolinksys to enter the Geek Dad Cool Contest for your chance to win $10,000 worth of home networking and entertainment prizes from Linksys. Embrace Your Inner Geek! Contest ends February 17, 2012.

Episode 844 is brought to you by Linksys - everything you need for a wireless home.

Dad 2.0 Summit

Episode 843. Daddy Clay talks to Doug French, co-founder Dad 2.0, about the upcoming conference for online Dads and "Dad Bloggers." The conference is a "conversation between Dads and marketers." Topics will include maximizing the business model of parenting sites as well as maintaining the integrity and dignity of content in a commercial world. Dad 2.0 will be held in March just outside of Austin, TX at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa, a family friendly destination resort. For more information please visit www.dad2summit.com.

CES Parent Edition

CES Parent Edition - Episode 842. Daddy Clay and Daddy Brad brave the world of "Mom Tech" at the Consumer Electronics Show. They showcase a few of the favorites from the floor. The Drop Cam is a great wireless video monitoring system. It has new features including HD video, night vision, AND two-way audio for just $149. The Vinci tablet is a specially designed learning tablet for toddlers and preschoolers. Content levels start at a "curious" level, move to "confident" and on to "capable" as your child ages. The Vinci is a complete early learning system starting at $389. Net Nanny is a premier family protection software and they are launching new mobile applications for Android and IOS. Coming soon all versions, desktop and mobile will be merged into one management log in, whereas for the initial launch, the systems are separate. Net Nanny for Android is $19.99, IOS is $9.99 and the desktop version is $39.99. And Daddy Clay made sure to hold CES accountable and has been assured that "Mom Tech" will be replaced by "Parent Tech."

iMessage eProofing

iMessage is the new messaging service for IOS5. Daddy Clay discusses the various parental controls available for the iPhone. Telematics from AT&T and the iPhone itself allow for text limits, voice limits, web access, including YouTube, and email among others. These work great in combination... until you add iMessage to the mix. Because iMessage is a wireless and IOS5 operating system based application, it essentially bypasses AT&T parental controls. iMessage is also not in the restrictions panel, so while you can turn it off, it is not pass coded. Your child can simply turn it back on. If that wasn't bad enough, iMessage conversations happen on all of your shared devices at the same time. So, your iMessage chat on your iPhone, will show up on the iPad your child is using. (And their conversations will also appear on your device.) Daddy Clay illustrates a real life mishap with iMessage communications, and the difficulty of exerting control over this new service, as well as the simple solution, that has to come from Apple.

Episode #841 is brought to you by BabyBjorn.

Breastfeeding Positions

Dr. Ari Brown discusses various breast feeding positions with Lactation Consultant Linda Hill.
There are 4 common positions. The "cradle" which is the most common and is fairly comfortable for older babies. The "cross-cradle" is more for newborns and allows the mother to give more head support before moving into a cradle position. The Dad's favorite named position, "football," is useful for Moms who've had C-sections or maybe twins and allows for more space in front while the baby is tucked over to the side. The last position is the "side lying" position which allows for greater comfort for both Mom and baby lying down on a bed.

Dads can help new Moms with gentle suggestions on positions, particularly if one position seems to be causing some discomfort or troubles with feeding.

Episode #840 is brought to you by BabyBjorn.

DadLabs 2011 Year in Review

We're looking back at some of the best moments of the year. "Hey Folks!" Here's to a wonderful and prosperous 2012! Thanks for watching! "Genius." Happy New Year everyone! Episode 839, "DadLabs 2011 Year in Review," is brought to you by BabyBjorn.

Tips on Making Movies with your Kids

Daddy Brad talks with film maker, Devid Neff about the educational benefits of teaching kids how to make movies. It's fun and teaches valuable techniques including story writing, organizational planning, lighting, technical filming and editing skills. Episode 838, "Tips on Making Movies With Your Kids," is brought to you by BabyBjorn.

Happy Holidays from DadLabs 2011

Daddy Clay and Daddy Brad offer some helpful tips to help you get through the holidays. They point out 6 common mistakes to avoid, particularly "if you want to have relations in the new year." Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you from everyone at DadLabs.

Episode 837 is brought to you by BabyBjorn.