Deploy a Snap Story

I was recently asked which Snap Story would be best for young kids while the mom was deployed.  It’s a great question that ultimately just made me sad.

She said:

I love the look of your snap stories. I’m wondering if there is one I could use for my kids for my deployment. I created a hardbound book from MyPublisher. It’s a compilation of pictures throughout the year to take the kids through the months while I’m gone.  My 4 yr old, Bradley, is into telling stories and books. So, I thought I’d try to make a book that has a story, but has some connection to him. I tried that with the My Publisher book, but it turned into more pictures, less stories.  I want to make something that is more like a kids story that they can read for bedtime or naptime.

I said:

I think your best bet would be One Big Adventure. It’s a very versatile story line. You could fill in the photo blanks in a variety of ways. Choosing photos from a family vacation, road trip or field trip that you all enjoyed would be a really easy way to complete it.  In fact, you could even make the book WITH the kids.  Then they feel like it’s “their” book. Or they could each make a birthday-themed book with fun photos of them, with a few shots from a favorite birthday party. Just make sure these books have a great photo of you smiling or hugging them. This way you’ll be sending them mama-love every time they read it.

It’s great, particularly with kids, to have a story line to lead the tour of ten photos.  Although, I must admit (and I’m the one who wrote the stories), the photos always trump the story.   The first thing you look at on the page is the photo.  It’s the smile or the eyes or the vista—-it’s always “the moment” of the photo that speaks volumes.

She said in her next email:

Good idea.  I might have them do one to send me while I’m gone, or make one upon my return. Bradley keeps asking if he can write me a letter…So this might be a good way for him to put something together to send me.   I made a box for them to open (one per month) while I’m gone…I could include this in one of the boxes.

Truly, this all makes me so sad.

If you know someone who is going to deploy or is deployed, a Snap Story is a great way to connect.  I’m happy to give free shipping to any family that is using a Snap Story to stay connected through a deployment.  Please email me (emma-at-snapstories-dot-com) for the code that will enable free shipping (and please pass this invitation on to others who are amid or anticipating a deployment).  If they are shipping overseas to protect my freedom, the least I can do is offer free shipping on some story books.

Great opportunities to use Snap Stories:

• a soldier’s birthday:  send a Hip Hooray It’s Your Birthday book filled in with photos of the soldier over the years with friends and family.
• a baby is born or is just growing and changing while a parent is deployed: My Baby Face
• a child takes a meaningful trip and wants to show their deployed parent, uncle, or auntie:  One Big Adventure
• as part of a send-off gift (better than a frame because it’s lighter, it holds 10 photos & can stand up on it’s own)
• for gal pals use Go Go Girlfriends for any good friend who is deployed; those memories of relaxed, happy times will bring much comfort.

 Go ahead:  share your story,