How to Snapchat

Snapchat. Why in the world would a grown woman and mother of two be writing about Snapchat? It’s supposed to be reserved for teenage/20-something horn dogs who need a covert channel to send explicit images/videos to one another. Sure. One can use this social media platform in such a manner, but it’s so much more than that.

Recently, I’ve found Snapchat to be a great way to stay connected with family and friends far and wide. Motherhood can be pretty lonely, so if you can’t be with your tribe in person, why not embrace virtual togetherness?

Why Join and Use Snapchat

It saves memory.

This annoying low-on-memory message haunted me on the daily when all I wanted to do was send a photo of the toddler walking on water to her godmother and aunties.How to Snapchat | Houston Moms Blog

Luckily, Snapchat doesn’t automatically save any media to your phone, so you don’t have to worry about deleting photos and videos you sent/received via text/iMessage. If you capture an amazing moment, you still have the option of saving it onto your phone.

It lessens #FOMO.

Being on maternity leave, I get to experience things that I normally do not while I’m at work. I know my husband also has a serious fear of missing out {FOMO, for those of us over the age of 27}, so I send him snaps of everyday things with the kids.

How to Snapchat | Houston Moms Blog
Swipe right on the image for geofilters that mark the part of town you’re in

It provides engaged screen time.

Snapchat is something the toddler and I do together. She’s actually gotten to know her aunties better through their snaps and remembers the content when she sees them in person. She’s a big fan of the Snapchat lenses.

How to Snapchat | Houston Moms Blog

It gives you a glimpse behind the scenes.

Celebrities are also on Snapchat, and you can get a glimpse into their everyday lives. It’s fun to see that they {JJ Watt} get locked out of their houses too!

It’s perfectly too imperfect for Instagram.

Instagram seems to be more of a curated space these days. Snapchat is more casual, and even if the image or video is imperfect, it’s not a big deal as the snap disappears after 24 hours. Plus, sarcasm is better captured on Snapchat.

How to Snapchat | Houston Moms Blog
Speed can be captured in one of the available data filters {swipe left or right}

Sold? Okay, cool. Now, after you navigate the confusing interface {this is a good starter’s guide on YouTube}, here are some tips for using Snapchat…

How to Snapchat | Houston Moms Blog

What Goes on Snapchat vs. Instagram/Facebook?

In short, Snapchat is a place for casual, everyday encounters, while Instagram and Facebook are more of a place to document celebrations and other memories that are worthy of a photobook.

I consider myself a modern-day cavewoman. I communicate best in diagrams and charts. Here’s a point of view on what should reside in which social media platform…

  • Normal Everyday {e.g. my toddler just ate stale Cheerios out of her car seat, OOTD, here’s my cold coffee} – SNAPCHAT
  • Exceptional Everyday {e.g. my toddler just did WHAT?!, my toddler chose my outfit and it’s quite fabulous, DAMN this eggs benedict is good!} – INSTAGRAM and/or FACEBOOK
  • A Life Event {e.g. the first time your children meet} – INSTAGRAM and/or FACEBOOK
  • Live Coverage of a Celebrity {e.g. check me out as I walk down the red carpet…reference DJ Khaled’s Snapchat} – SNAPCHAT
  • Celebrations {e.g. a legit photo} – INSTAGRAM and/or FACEBOOK

What to Snapchat

Generally, don’t take it too seriously. If you find yourself thinking, “Hey, I wish so-and-so could be here to see that.” – then it can go on Snapchat. Also, if you find yourself thinking, “LORD SAVE ME #firstworldproblems.” – then yes, misery loves company, and it can go on Snapchat. What to Snap?

#momlife

How to Snapchat | Houston Moms Blog
Temperature is another data filter available by swiping left or right. These Houston winters are rough, y’all!

#toddlerlife

Snapchat dubs-over whatever music you’re playing on your phone while it records a video. Perfect for capturing drama.

All-you-can-do-is-laugh moments

Look at what’s going in my belly… aren’t you jelly?

hmb-snapchat-crawfish

Community & movements

Remind your peers to get involved with time-sensitive causes including voting!

How to Snapchat | Houston Moms Blog

See, it’s not so serious. Now, get to snapping!

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Kristine H
Kristine grew up in Houston where she met her husband Richard. The high school sweethearts welcomed their daughter Kara {2014} after naturally overcoming infertility. Sixteen months later, their son Ray {2015} joined their family. She balances the allergy mom life as well as a full-time job at an oil & gas supermajor where she is the queen of PowerPoint. Her Houston roots run deep with her Bachelors degree from the University of Houston and MBA from Rice University. Kristine loves traveling, good food, and experiencing all things H-town with family and friends, especially drinks {bars, breweries, boutique coffee shops!}, museums, and of course, BEYONCÉ. You can follow her adventures on vu hu life, Instagram and Twitter {@vuhulife}.

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