It’s the start of a new year. The flurry of the holiday seasons are behind us and what lies before us is the fresh outlook of starting anew. It has been a whirlwind in the Mommy Fearist household and it seems like we had hardly any time to catch our breath in the months that fall between September and January.
Like A LOT of people, I was more than ready to kick 2016 to the curb and welcome 2017 with open yet cautious arms. As eager as I am to kick off the new year, I am a sentimental person and it’s nice to reflect on the fun memories that we made this past year.
One of the highlights of my year was the kick off of the “Mommy Fearist” column here on Horrorbuzz. I believe that there are a lot of families like us that love the creepy, crawly, scary and macabre. It may be a niche market but a market all the same that is growing rapidly.
I have thoroughly enjoyed several conventions this year at which I have noticed an increase of families in attendance. It could be that I am now keenly aware. Especially since starting this family centered column but I can attest that conventions are providing more family programming. Whether it be panels geared towards kids (ie. spooky science ) or better craft areas to give kids (and their parents) a place to sit down and refocus their energy, I can’t help but think that the people in charge are really taking into account the attendees of all ages.
Summer turned into autumn and every weekend brought a chance to celebrate our favorite holiday, Halloween! Once again the market for family activities has proven to be a money maker for theme parks, zoos, museums, pumpkin patches and pop up costume shops.
I braved Knott’s Spooky Farm with just myself and my two young goblins. Was it doable with one parent? Absolutely. Was it feasible with one parent who was also the photographer, the writer taking copious notes, snack purchaser, child wrangler, face paint and stuffed animal buyer? I’ll get back to you on that. It’s January and I am still recovering from that day.
I made a whirlwind road trip up to San Jose for a special Halloween tour of the Winchester Mystery House. Next year I’ll be taking the whole family with me because I know that my son would love it. While in San Jose, I got the chance to enjoy a terrific haunt (Deadtime Dreams) that knocked my socks off while making me laugh with glee and scream in true terror. It was refreshing on a whole new level because even though I love taking our kids out to enjoy haunts, it was so nice to be an adult and enjoy being scared without digging in my purse for cheerios and a juice box.
Undoubtedly the best thing I was able to do was all because of this column. I was able to sit down and interview my son on what it was like to be a “kid monster.” I knew we were in trouble when I walked up to a crowd during Midsummer Scream wondering what the cheering was all about. Then I saw my little guy with slider pads 5 sizes too big strapped to his scrawny legs. He adjusted his mask (also 5 sizes to big) then took off running and dropped to his knees. He slid for several feet before he hopped up to the cheers of the crowd. That was just the beginning.
Flash forward two months to me watching in awe as this 5 year old honed his scaring skills during our home haunt. He lurked in the darkness, he snarled, he slid, he gave high fives and posed for pictures with guests.
He’s not the only little kid that does this. He’s not the first and most definitely won’t be the last. We aren’t the first parents to bring our baby in a carrier strapped to our chest during Halloween Haunt. We aren’t the only parents who dress our kids in movie quality zombie makeup. And we aren’t the only parents who are irritated when we can’t find all black dresses and bat bows for our baby girl.
This column is for all of you who are looking to enjoy more of what the horror, Halloween and spooky genres have to offer as a family. Or those of you who want to reminisce on what it was like when your kids were younger. I can not wait for this new year. Stay tuned for more anecdotes, costume ideas, fun crafts and Mommy Fearist meet ups!
