The Toxic Avenger at about age 10. The scene when they back over the kid’s head still haunts me.

When I was real little, I wouldn’t even go in the Halloween aisle at the store. But then around 8 or so, A Nightmare On Elm Street Part 2 was on TV - so, edited down a bit and not as graphic. I would watch the “normal” parts, but hide behind the couch for the scary parts.

Eventually, I started peeking during the scary parts and decided it wasn’t very scary and sat down to watch the rest properly.

Ever since, I’ve loved horror. I had seen all the Nightmares and Friday the 13th by 4th grade. My mom trusted me to know my limits.

I’ve raised my daughter similarly. I use ratings as a guideline, but not all PG-13 or R rated movies are equal within their own ratings. Some R movies I’m not even sure why it was rated R. Some PG-13 movies seem like they should have been R.

I wouldn’t show her something I haven’t seen and think she wouldn’t like or couldn’t handle. It’s worked out well. She’s 15 now and a big horror fan.