My husband has been deployed now for over 2.5 months. There isn’t a day that he is gone that he doesn’t long to see the kids. For his job as a aviation defense contractor my husband has deployed 5+ times since our first son was born. (We have actually gone through so many deployments via Air Force and this job that I have stopped counting.)
When it was just the two of us, Skyping was a treat. A way to stay connected during deployments. I still look forward to our Skype dates. Now that we have two boys our Skype dates have become family affairs. My son is tickled to pull the computer up to his lap and talk to my husband, the baby smiles so big every time he sees his Daddy on the screen.
This deployment my husband’s work schedule is our night time, so Baby D has certainly had more Skype time than his brother has been able to.
Skyping with Daddy on the Acer S7.
A lot has changed with Skype since I first started using it years ago.
The Skype app has a lot of great features:
- Once you sign in, the app is always on without draining your device’s battery, so you can take calls any time.
- Exchange instant messages with all your Skype, Messenger and Outlook.com contacts.
- Call any phone quickly and easily from Skype.
- All Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls are free.
- Your messages are delivered straight to you no matter what you’re doing.
- Snap Skype left or right and do more while you IM, video call or keep an eye on your home screen.
- Share photos, videos and files of any size over Skype.
- Send rich video messages whether your friends are on or offline.
I love that we can now share videos over Skype regardless of size. Often times I take videos and can’t send them to him because of size, or even if I can, he can’t see them. I had no idea until Windows 8 that I could do that. Since I only just figured that part out I haven’t tried it except to send a video to my husband of our 4 year old being crazy. From here on out I plan on taking advantage of that with this deployment and all of our future deployments. Maybe I will turn our 4 year old loose on the computer and have him send video messages to Daddy since he is so often sleeping during our Skype dates.
This particular deployment we have been having a lot of connection issues. We have in the past deployments used another chat platform to talk, but this time it seems like we have a much easier time and better connection with Skype. If nothing else, the clearer picture makes it easier for us to connect. I have no idea how military families got through deployments prior to video chat. It is so nice to see his face along with hearing his voice. It sure makes the months go by a lot quicker.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a deployed loved one though, we use Skype just as much if not more with the kid’s grandparents. All of our children’s grandparents live in different parts of the country so Skype has helped them to stay connected to the boys and watch them grow.
I also just downloaded Skype to my mobile phone which is great because it is one Skype account across all of my devices.
We can now Skype on the phone, TV, or computer. I really don’t know what I would do without it, it is easily one of my favorite apps on my computer.
Still not on Skype?
No worries – you can download it today in the Windows 8 app store.
You can follow me on Instagram to see more #SkypingInMyCrib photos – that hashtag was too fun not to continue to use it!
I am part of the Windows Champions Program. As a Windows Champion I received loan of a laptop and may receive other equipment from Microsoft to assist me in evaluating Microsoft products and services for my blogging activity.
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I really need to get on the bandwagon and download Skype to use – I even have some international credit that I could call my family in Canada with, but still haven’t done it!
So sorry you have to be separated but thank goodness for Skype!
I’ve been using skype for a long time now (years) and have always loved it. I’m glad it’s working so well for you guys too!
I didn’t know about the video and file sharing perk. That’s a huge plus, HUGE!
I love Skype. I use it with my husband and kids whenever one of us is away.
I wish they had skype when my fiance was in the army. It would have helped to stay in contact. So glad you can do it with your husband.
I don’t know how you do it, but I applaud you. I think it’s absolutely amazing what Skype can do!
We keep in touch with my parents via Skype. When my son was younger it was hard to get him to stay still very long, but now he sits in front of my laptop and talks to them. I’m glad you guys have Skype to stay in communication with your husband.
Video chatting is so great during a deployment. Skype didn’t work for us during my husband’s last deployment though. 🙁 We had to use gchat!
I found you when I was researching Lillebaby and thought hmm I love this lady. After checking out your Facebook, IG, and blog and seeing your husband was overseas I thought yeo I knew there was a reason I just liked her, we’re in the same boat.
Kisha, what a sweet comment. Thank you. Yes my husband is former military now a contractor, and we spend a lot of time apart unfortunately. Although it sounds like you know what that is like. Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out with questions about the lillebaby or whatever ;)! Have a great day!