Most nights when I crawl into bed I do that quick-step-hurry to my bed and leap upon the covers before anything can grab my ankles.

I rush down dark hallways, never looking behind me “just in case” something is there.   I turn lights on, LOTS of lights, to dissolve the shadows that create my fears.

I was never into scary movies, the visuals and ideas in the stick with me too long, burning scary spots into my brain, but my husband is. And through him, our kids are.

And whether it is because of their foray into the darkness on TV, or because of some other core root of courage, my kids are brave and fearless when it comes to the dark.

My 13 year old wanders our property by the light of the moon, locking our critters up… while I keep my flashlight burning bright and prefer to go in a pack for protection.

Our son sleeps in a room with “creepy noises” and a shudder inducing hallway.

They live in a creep 100 year old house, on a quiet farm, with owls hooting, and racooons climbing though the trees, and the only one lying in bed with her heart beating is me.

So, last year when we started watching Stranger Things together, I suffered through the “jump scares” while they laughed with their Dad.  I leapt onto my bed from the hallway, wary of what may be under it, while my kids mocked my fears.

But through the laughter and jokes, I saw their strength and how being able to laugh at this scary things, was building a foundation of logic that I have never had.

So this year, with its release just before Halloween it is on the list again. And this year, we will watch it as a family, and “face” those fears, and work through the monsters under the bed, hoping that we are building kids who are able to face the dark corners, and strange sounds that will forever be a part of their life.

And to help prepare you, visit the APP store and download the Stranger Things game… its a blast from the “atari era past” and will remind you of all the things you loved about season 1!