diff --git a/backend/init_db.py b/backend/init_db.py
index fe91721..c5a71e9 100644
--- a/backend/init_db.py
+++ b/backend/init_db.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def init_database():
         
         print("Adding default family members...")
         
-        # Family members with default password "changeme123"
+        # Family members with default password "password123"
         family_members = [
             {"username": "lou", "email": "lou@family.local", "full_name": "Lou", "is_admin": False},
             {"username": "jess", "email": "jess@family.local", "full_name": "Jess", "is_admin": True},
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def init_database():
             {"username": "bella", "email": "bella@family.local", "full_name": "Bella", "is_admin": False},
         ]
         
-        default_password = "changeme123"
+        default_password = "password123"  # Shorter password for bcrypt (max 72 bytes)
         hashed_password = get_password_hash(default_password)
         
         for member_data in family_members:
@@ -58,12 +58,12 @@ def init_database():
         
         db.commit()
         print("✅ Family members added successfully!")
-        print("\n📋 Default Login Credentials:")
-        print("   Username: jess (admin) | Password: changeme123")
-        print("   Username: lou | Password: changeme123")
-        print("   Username: william | Password: changeme123")
-        print("   Username: xander | Password: changeme123")
-        print("   Username: bella | Password: changeme123")
+        print("\n🔑 Default Login Credentials:")
+        print("   Username: jess (admin) | Password: password123")
+        print("   Username: lou | Password: password123")
+        print("   Username: william | Password: password123")
+        print("   Username: xander | Password: password123")
+        print("   Username: bella | Password: password123")
         print("\n⚠️  Please change these passwords after first login!")
         
     except Exception as e: