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Why FamZoo is Sooo Awesome! A Stick Figure Video

I know a certain 8 year who happens to think that FamZoo is totally awesome. Here’s his slightly biased perspective:

This presentation was originally inspired by cartoonist Betsy Streeter's truly awesome lesson on drawing stick figures which you can flip through here:

So grab a pencil and try some of your own stick figures. It’s a great activity to share with the kids.

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How To Set Up Your Virtual Family Bank

We just created a Getting Started video to show you how to set up your Virtual Family Bank on FamZoo in three easy steps:

  1. Register your family
  2. Add additional family members
  3. Set up virtual bank accounts and allowances for each child

Our Bank Setup Wizard makes Step 3 visual, quick, and simple.

Check it out:

You can also view our videos on the FamZoo YouTube Channel.

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A Mother's Day Confession: I Bribed My Son to Cut his Hair!

Mothers Day Haircut 1 "Watch where you're goin' stoner!", the man hissed threateningly at my 14-year old son as they passed each other in the movie theater. I found myself counting to ten and taking a deep breath. I was working hard to keep my natural protective paternal instincts at bay. I guess kids with scraggly long hair touch a serious nerve with this guy. Sheesh, lighten up.

OK, so his hair was getting pretty hideous. Although, being follicly challenged for many years now, I have to admit that I held a slight admiration for my son's hirsute stature. "Enjoy it while it lasts," I'd catch myself thinking.

But over the years, these kinds of belligerent encounters and off-base assumptions about our long-haired maverick son were really starting to take their toll on Mom in particular. Underneath that Alice Cooper (or was it Tiny Tim?) mop of hair lurked an attractive, engaging young man. "Why not let him out for the world to see?" his Mom kept wondering aloud.

Nope. He wouldn't have any of it. "Why should I care what other people think?" "People shouldn't judge me by the way I look." Um...good points — you little Smart Aleck! Nonetheless, it's really hard to watch as parents on a lot of different levels.

So that's when I did it. I confess. I broke all the parenting and fiscal responsibility rules in the book.

I paid my son 100 bucks to cut his hair for Mother's Day. A shameless, straight up bribe. Totally the wrong way to use money with your children. Totally the wrong message.

And, you know what? It was the best darn $100 I ever spent. Just look at that smile on Mom's face (those are tears of joy), and tell me that wasn't worth every penny.

Mothers Day Haircut 2

Best Mother's Day ever!

And even better: he never wore his hair long again after that (3 years and counting).

So, whaddya think? Was I a bad Dad to bribe my son on Mother's Day? Maybe. Maybe not.

Either way, Happy Mother's Day!

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Updated FamZoo Quick Intro & Tour Video

We just updated the FamZoo Quick Intro & Tour video that I mentioned in an earlier post. The Intro section is new. It's a more general discussion of what FamZoo is, as opposed to the more specific story of how FamZoo came about.

Let us know what you think.

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Like my new shoes?

How do ya’ like my new shoes? Obnoxious enough?

FamZoo Shoes

Just designed these on Nike’s Custom Shoe Builder.

Might as well be spreading the word while I’m out and about!