I've known what I was wanting to write, but I was having trouble getting it out exactly the way I wanted to write it. It's still a little bit stuck in my mind, but time is passing, and I need to try to explain how critical this particular role is. So here we go!

I think I've said this about 1000 times in the last few months, but the MonkeePals and I discuss this now more than ever. Each part of this project is such an integral cog in the Monkee Wheel that it's hard to say which one is more important. There is such a delicate balance between all the parts, and how they align. By putting too much emphasis on one, you really do a disservice to the contribution of the others.

Having acknowledged that, I really need to stress how underestimated the role of the MonkeeMom is.

I thought it was for parents, grandparents and guardians alike? It is! Our MonkeeRoom is made almost entirely of the moms, simply because they are the majority of the ones who are on Steem, and the majority of the ones that became the point of contact. However we do have a MonkeeDad and a MonkeeGuinny too! haha "MonkeeMom" just became a temporary term of endearment for the role of the adult family member engaging with the Monkee. We already foresee that shift to a new name happening, as we have more dads/uncles asking to be involved with the next run! Soon we will adopt some new shining name that is more inclusive in the future!

It's not just a supervisory role; they are very much the unsung hero of the project. When things are going well, they fade seemlessly into the woodwork, allowing the child to take all the credit for the completed tasks for the day. But I daresay, that without the gentle nudging, prompting, encouraging, molding, motivating and cheering that the "MonkeeMoms" do - the Monkee Business journals might not have that certain "shine". Though I love seeing the heart of the Monkees displayed in each of their unique posts, it's evident that the loving fingerprints of the "MonkeeMoms" have been gently pressed into the framework, leaving their marks too. The cooperation between the two is a sweet thing to behold and quite frankly, works best when they are hand in hand.

Spunkee Monkee is a FAMILY app. Yep, I said it another time. It won't be the last. The family MUST work together on our app, or it just doesn't do what it intends to do. What does it look liken when it works?

• Hearing the moms giggling about the new characteristics that they've newly discovered in their Monkees
• Watching the kids rediscover the joys of spending time together
• Reading "they talk about Spunkee Monkee all day long - they tell their friends all about it!"
• "We've tried these things before with her, but they never 'stuck'. Now it's sticking!"
• "You've brought out so much in my Monkee - I'm thrilled with how far he's come so quickly!"
• Seeing the MonkeeMoms encouraging one another in the MonkeeRoom and sharing ideas.
• Commenting on a Monkee Business post and seeing a MonkeeMom has already visited them!
• Asking opinions on whether our Monkees want to try another Beta after a short break..."Why does there need to be a break?" (maybe my favorite feedback so far!)

Though I would love for this project to be embraced by every family, there have already been cases where it hasn't been a good fit. Our job now is to figure out how to maintain our primary mission, while stretching those limitations as much as possible to appeal to more families. The clear fact is we live in a society now where screentime is a part of every day life for all family members. Our mission is not to eliminate technology (Of course not - part of our project enlists the help of technology!), but to provide more desirable alternatives so that a healthy balance between those options can be achieved. So far, MonkeeMoms and their input on this dynamic have been insightful, keen, and welcome! We are already looking forward to some of the changes that will be implemented for our next phase!

I've already gone through our Alpha test, so I had some strong expectations of how this Beta would proceed. So far, I'm pleasantly shocked at how this current test has exceeded my expectations. I keep waiting for the shoe to drop, but day by day - the feedback, interaction, and results have been more positive than what I anticipated. For their dedication to completing this project and their commitment to leading their families by example - I can only give the highest praise for the MonkeeMoms of this Beta test! I might even have to have a small MonkeeMom map in the future to give them the opportunity to go on a one-time Treasure Hunt at the end as a small appreciation for what they do on a daily basis, both for their families and for Spunkee Monkee!

Thank you MonkeeMoms (which includes ALL roles represented from the family for our Beta test!)

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Have YOU supported our Monkees yet?

Before you forget - Give us your support at Fundition

^{Click image to support our FUNDITION}

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Missed any of our update posts? Check them out below!

What is Spunkee Monkee: a FANTASTIC explanation by @shadowspub

Rare accessory REVEALED!

My Monkee can have BLING?? YEP! Come see!

Shop the Monkee Store? yahoo!

Monkee Trading? Let's make a deal!

SPECIAL thanks to the Steemit witness who have been supporting Spunkee Monkee: @aggroed, @steemcommunity (made up of @paulag and @abh12345), @derangedvisions (who is the other half of the @c0ff33a witness team), @jackmiller, and @enginewitty

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READ OUR CROWDMIND INTERVIEW HERE

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All Spunkee Monkee images have been created for Spunkee Monkee by the amazing @jimramones! Images are not to be used without permission from Spunkee Monkee.

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