Okay, we’re all familiar with Snapchat, right? You know, that app that almost every teenager or 20-something is using? The app that no parent seems to understand? I think it’s time our parents stop confusing it with every other form of social media and asking questions like… “Who are you Instagramming?” “Are you Face-Placing?” “Who are you chatting with over snap app?”

Well, I think it’s time we give our parents a little tutorial so we don’t have to keep hearing these said questions. And just for the record, no, Mom, you cannot zoom in on the pictures.

To start, after you’ve downloaded the app and added some friends, your first step is to take a picture. Doesn’t seem too hard, right? Right.

What you will need to know right off the bat is the purpose of all the symbols on the camera screen. In the upper right corner is a little camera looking icon with two arrows. You can press this when you want to change the camera from taking a regular picture to a selfie. When this icon has a smiley face inside of the two arrows, it’s on selfie mode. But, you should also figure this out when you see yourself on the screen. If it were my mom, she’d say something like, “Oh god, I look terrible. I can’t use this app. No one’s going to want to see me like this.”

The ghost icon in the top middle of the screen is for adding friends (A.K.A. all your kids.)

The lightening symbol on the top left is used for turning the flash off and on. When the lightening symbol has an “x” next to it, the flash is off. You can even use this feature for the selfie picture too. It’s cool, 'cause it helps make you look a little better (or younger, which ever one makes you feel better.)

The big circle at the bottom is for taking pictures and videos. If you tap the circle, it will take a picture. If you hold the circle down, it will take a video. So, Mom, don’t forget this when you’re trying to take a picture.

Tap on your picture after you’ve taken it in order to add text. A keyboard will pop up and you can type whatever you want to say. Keep it cool, guys. Don’t embarrass us.

To put a Snapchat on your story, click the box with the plus sign in it. To view other friends’ Snapchat stories, swipe right from the camera screen and tap the name next to your friend’s name. Don’t be alarmed by the things you might see on your children’s Snapchat stories. It will be a little taste inside the life of our children’s lives at college. And take note of this… make sure you don’t accidentally put a weird selfie in your story without knowing.

Next, you will need to know the Snapchat etiquette. It is important that you know how and when it is appropriate to use it. The goal here is to get parents to feel confident and help them become Snapchat pros.

Fear not, Snapchat is not all about looking good. It doesn’t have to be all about taking good pictures to send to people. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Because it’s a lot more fun when the pictures are goofy. And people might make fun of you if you try to take a good looking picture and be serious about it. It’s not all about the boobs and the butts. You can embrace your double chin and throw in a third one for the extra LOLs.

Once you’ve become confident with your snapping abilities, it is important that you don’t become a “Snappy Cathy” (A.K.A. that person that snaps people WAY too much.)

Snapchat selfies also need to be addressed. The picture must be taken of your WHOLE face. Don’t hold the camera at an angle that only shows the top of your head. Got it? The camera is at the top of your phone. Look into it while holding the phone upright and you will have a glorious picture.

Lastly, to put the icing on the cake, we will talk about filters for your photos. After taking the picture, you can swipe left or right to put a filter on your picture. You can choose which one you like best. Yes, that’s right. I know it’s a lot and may get a little confusing. But, you can do it.

Now, I hope you will become the next Snapchat professional and be snapping away just like any other youngin’ does. Children, please share with Mom and Dad to give them a little help. Parents, snap on!