Fear is funny. It’s invisible, yet it can make your heart race, your palms sweat, and your imagination run wild. For years, haunted houses terrified me—just the idea of them made me hesitate at every corner, basically peeing my pants and hyperventilating. One year I even grabbed and clawed my husband's arm so badly out of fear, I drew blood and left marks (insert face palm). But a few years ago, I decided it was time to face that fear head-on… and help my daughters face their fears. To be fair, technically it was my moms idea. So my mom, husband, myself and daughters joined this journey that would turn screams into confidence, and fear into fun.
The Beginning
It all started in September of 2023. The idea was simple yet bold: instead of avoiding haunted houses, we’d step inside and become part of the magic. Our mission? To face our fears while creating an unforgettable experience for visitors.
The first year, we kept it manageable. We worked just two weekends at a local haunted trail, learning the ropes and immersing ourselves in the environment. We had our roles and parts, but not much to do with the actual haunt creation itself. Our then 8yr old, scared some teenage boys so badly, they actually kicked her in the face (no judgement! We obviously took care of her and she was excited to be that scary, she was NOT injured and continued to work the trail)! Costume fittings, practice scares, and understanding the timing of every jump and creep—oh and the ground placements as my husband took a face plant in a hole lmao, it was intense, but thrilling. By the end of those two weekends, we realized something incredible: fear was transforming into excitement.
Designing and Developing
The second year, we took it up a notch. Beginning in August, this time, we weren’t just actors—we were designers, creators, and developers. Over four weekends, we dove into every aspect of the haunted house experience. We brainstormed room layouts, created sets, and planned props. Every corner, every shadow, every sound effect became part of the story we wanted to tell.
Costumes became extensions of our personalities and fears. From scary nuns, to creepy little girls, embracing everyone's fear of clowns, and our favorite scary movie clips, we poured creativity into every detail. Makeup and masks transformed us, helping us step fully into our roles.
Working the Haunt
When it was time to open the doors, the adrenaline was real. We worked together as a team, each of us responsible for different rooms, scares, and interactions. My daughters brought energy and enthusiasm. My oldest and husband were a great pair and I saw her come out of her shell and let me tell ya, she’s quite the little actress. My mom added a special touch of creepy yet fun, my youngest brought her A game and I truly learned how creepy she can be (should I be concerned?! lol) and my husband and I coordinated the flow and timing. Every scream from visitors was a small victory—proof that we had created something scary, yet family friendly, fun, and unforgettable.
We weren’t just scaring others—we were scaring ourselves, confronting fears, and laughing through it. Each scream we heard mirrored the fear we once felt, now replaced with pride and courage.Seeing this in my girls was the best part of it. The first year, our youngest was 8. She struggled to walk through the set up when it was daylight and was horribly terrified of the clown room. By the second year, she was helping us to set up the clown room.
Lessons Learned
Working in a haunted house taught us more than just stagecraft and makeup skills. We learned that fear can be faced, shared, and even celebrated. We discovered that family teamwork turns scary challenges into bonding adventures. And we realized that sometimes, the best therapy isn’t quiet reflection—it’s loud, chaotic, scream-filled, haunt-filled fun.
Haunt therapy worked for us. From August prep to final scares, we emerged braver, closer, and ready to face whatever other fears life might throw our way….or did we?! Let’s be honest, I may talk a big game, but haunts still scare the crap out of me and the adrenaline rush is real lol, but at least my girls and I can now step foot into a haunt and appreciate the work that the actors put into all of it. Now we can go through and truly enjoy the experience (buried faces, screams and all)!
Create Your Own Website With Webador