So regular alarm system doesn't seem ideal.

Do any of you have Video systems that you can pull up on your iphone/android and check on your place when not home?

I have a buddy who's a retired engineer that would help me install the system. Would you get one if you had a little kid at home, wife, and had to travel 3-5 days of the week?

Video cams might be a deterrent plus if you can easily see it on your phone plenty of time to get up stairs to the shotty