(CNN) -- It's Halloween, and I'm here to tell you to scare your kids fearlessly. It's good for them. First, a story. Early last summer, my 9-year-old daughter and I took a trip to Hershey Park. Casey loves roller coasters (we first tackled Great Adventure's Nitro and its blinding 80-mph speed when she was 4). But vertical plunges? No. That day I repeatedly asked her whether she'd like to try Fahrenheit, a coaster that (egad) ascends 121 feet before plummeting down a (double egad) 97-degree drop. She'd shake her head, "No." Once she overcame the fear and took the plunge, I thought, genuine euphoria would ensue. Finally, I made an offer.
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Jeff Pearlman: Daughter feared roller coaster, rode it, loved it. Same with Halloween scares
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He says parents should let their kids get a little terrified at Halloween. It's good for them
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Parents should support, explain, use heads on appropriateness but not overly shield
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Pearlman: Kids can confront fear, emerge feeling proud, brave. We coddle too much
"@placeholder," I said, "if you go on Fahrenheit, I'll let you play three games and buy you a soda (banned in our household).