Safety Checklist Before You Summon

Monsters are most fun when everyone feels safe. Call the Monster was designed around the idea that pretend fear can build resilience, but only when the experience is scaffolded with clear boundaries, opt-out signals, and loving aftercare. This post expands our safety checklist into a full protocol you can run before every session. It is equal parts practical guide, emotional roadmap, and SEO-friendly resource for parents searching phrases like “is the Call the Monster app safe?” or “monster game for kids with consent.” Use it as a reference, print it for your fridge, or adapt it into your own family ritual.

Step 1: Environment Scan

Start with a sweep of the physical space. Dim the lights without plunging the room into darkness; soft lighting maintains atmosphere while allowing you to read your child’s body language. Clear the floor of toys, cords, and rogue LEGO bricks to prevent trip hazards when excitement kicks in. Position seating so everyone can see the phone or tablet without craning necks. If you plan to route sound through a speaker, keep it at least two feet away from young ears.

Check volume levels before the monster speaks. Play a sample line on the mild setting and ask your child how it feels. Adjust to a comfortable level, erring on the side of quiet to avoid surprises. Set your device to Do Not Disturb so a real phone call cannot break immersion at a critical emotional beat. Finally, keep comfort objects like blankets or stuffed animals within reach; they double as grounding tools if the experience gets intense.

Step 2: Emotional Warm-Up

After the room is ready, warm up emotions just as you would stretch before exercise. Engage your child in a short conversation about how they feel today. Ask, “Are you excited, nervous, or curious?” Validate their answers and confirm that they want to play. If there is hesitation, pause and postpone. Consent is a renewable contract; if a child says “not today,” celebrate their self-awareness and shift to a different activity.

Teach a simple breathing technique—inhale for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four. Practice three cycles together. Breathing patterns give kids a tangible tool to use if their heart rate climbs. Layer in a body squeeze by wrapping arms around themselves or giving you a hug. These warm-ups prime the nervous system to stay regulated when the monster arrives.

Step 3: Consent Script and Safe Words

Call the Monster makes consent the star. Before hitting start, deliver a script like, “This is a pretend monster call. You are the director, and I am your helper. If you want to stop, say our safe word or give the signal, and we will end it right away.” Choose safe words that feel fun but are unlikely to appear in normal conversation: “Ghostlight Pause,” “Moonbeam Stop,” or “Pumpkin Reset.” Pair the word with a physical signal such as tapping your knee or raising both hands.

Practice the safe word twice, including the exit procedure. Tap the app’s end-call button while saying the phrase together. This rehearsal shows that you take the signal seriously and sets the expectation that you will act instantly. Remind siblings or observers that the safe word applies to them too. The monster is a guest in your home, and the house rules center on respect.

Step 4: Set Intentions and Boundaries

Clarifying intentions reduces surprises. State your goal aloud: “Tonight we want to practice brave voices” or “The monster will help us tidy toys.” Outline boundaries such as “No hiding under blankets” if you need eyes visible or “We keep the monster in the living room” to confine the experience to one space. Encourage your child to add a boundary of their own—maybe they insist the monster says goodbye with a joke. This participation strengthens agency.

If your family practices affirmations, introduce one now. Phrases like “We can pause anytime” or “We brave together” reinforce teamwork. Some parents like to set a timer for the experience so kids know the duration. Short sessions (three to five minutes) work best for new players, while veterans may enjoy longer narratives.

Step 5: Device and Account Readiness

Open the Call the Monster app and double-check that your child’s profile is active. Review the script you plan to use, noting any optional branches or comfort lines. Download assets in advance to avoid buffering. If you operate under a premium subscription, verify that role-reversal or additional monsters are unlocked.

Turn on guided access or app pinning if your device supports it. This keeps curious fingers from switching apps mid-call and reinforces that the monster world is a focused experience. If you plan to capture reactions for your own memories, position a camera discreetly and secure consent—kids should know if they are being recorded. Never publish footage without discussing privacy with older children.

Step 6: Live Monitoring During the Call

Throughout the call, monitor body language and vocal cues. Dilated pupils, clenched fists, or freezing can signal overstimulation. If you sense discomfort, lower intensity immediately or insert a comfort line by tapping the “calm” prompt. Remind your child they can use the safe word. Narrate what you see: “I notice your hands are tight; should we shake them out?” Verbal reflections help children connect physical sensations to emotional states.

Keep dialogue supportive. Encourage your child to respond to the monster and celebrate their words: “That was a strong answer” or “You asked for help, great job.” If siblings are present, assign them empowering roles such as “bravery coach” or “portal guardian” to prevent teasing. Rotate roles between sessions so everyone experiences being in control and being the supportive observer.

Step 7: Exit Protocol and Aftercare

When you reach the planned endpoint or detect the safe word, close the call with ceremony. Tap the exit button, thank the monster for visiting, and switch to a grounding activity within 30 seconds. Options include:

• Three deep breaths followed by a stretch.
• A sip of water to reset the senses.
• A calm song or lullaby, possibly from our upcoming comfort library.
• A gentle shoulder rub or hand squeeze.

Next, reflect verbally. Ask, “What part was the most fun?” “Did anything feel too spooky?” “Do you want to do this again another day?” Write responses in a notebook or inside the parent dashboard. Tracking notes helps you adjust future calls and provides conversation starters for pediatricians, therapists, or teachers interested in your child’s emotional growth.

Checklist Summary

Use this quick reference before each session:

1. Room cleared, lighting set, comfort objects handy.
2. Volume tested at mild intensity with Do Not Disturb enabled.
3. Emotional check-in completed; child gives explicit yes.
4. Safe word and signal practiced, exit button demonstrated.
5. Intentions and boundaries stated by parent and child.
6. App assets preloaded; guided access enabled.
7. Parent maintains eye contact, monitors cues, triggers comfort when needed.
8. Post-call grounding completed with reflections recorded.

Print the list and keep it near your charging station for easy access.

Addressing Common Safety Questions

Parents considering the app often search for practical answers. Here are detailed responses you can refer to or share:

• Is Call the Monster appropriate for toddlers? We recommend the experience for ages five and up, with the mildest intensity. Younger siblings can listen in when a parent monitors closely, but the safe word protocol still applies. Consider the “Calm Counselor” scripts for the gentlest option.
• What if my child gets startled and runs? That is why the environment scan matters. Keep pathways clear and stay physically close. Use the safe word, end the call, and switch to a soothing activity. Celebrate the child for signaling discomfort.
• Can monsters reinforce negative behavior? Scripts are written to encourage positive actions—tidying toys, sharing feelings, completing bedtime routines. We avoid shaming language and emphasize that kids maintain control. Parents can skip any line that does not match their style.
• How do I introduce the concept to anxious kids? Start with a storytelling session before using the app. Read a picture book about friendly monsters, discuss boundaries, and demonstrate the safe word. Then preview the monster voice at the lowest intensity with the child holding the device.

Integrating with Therapists and Educators

Some families use Call the Monster as part of social-emotional learning plans. If you work with a therapist, share the Safety Checklist and ask for input. Many clinicians appreciate having a structured tool that promotes exposure within firm boundaries. They might suggest specific language or breathing techniques tailored to your child’s needs. Teachers can adapt the framework for classroom role-play, turning the monster into a metaphor for challenging tasks.

Document results in a shared journal. Note what triggers laughter versus hesitation, and highlight strategies that calm nerves quickly. The more data you provide to supporting adults, the easier it is to craft holistic plans for emotional regulation.

Accessibility Considerations

Safety also means inclusivity. For children with sensory sensitivities, adjust intensity and background effects to reduce sudden transients. Use captions if your child benefits from reading along; we are expanding caption support across scripts. Offer tactile tools such as weighted blankets or fidget toys for additional grounding. For Deaf or hard-of-hearing children, combine visual cues with vibrations—place the device on a wooden surface to transmit subtle knocks and use sign language to translate dialogue.

For neurodivergent kids who prefer predictability, preview the script outline. Explain when the monster will speak and what choices will appear. Some families create visual schedules with icons representing “Start,” “Monster Talk,” “Safe Word Practice,” and “Snack Time.” These supports ensure the experience stays enjoyable for a wide range of learners.

SEO Tips for Sharing Your Safety Ritual

If you blog or post about your Call the Monster routine, include keywords like “monster call safety checklist,” “parent-controlled scare game,” and “consent-based bedtime tool.” Link back to this guide so other families can adopt the best practices. Share specific tips—your unique safe word or ritual—on social media using #CallTheMonster. The more stories we collect, the richer our community’s knowledge base becomes.

Final Thoughts

Safety is not a buzzword; it is the foundation of every monster call. Following a repeatable checklist ensures that the experience remains thrilling, respectful, and emotionally nourishing. Adapt the steps to your family’s style, stay flexible, and invite your child to co-direct the process. When the monsters arrive inside a carefully prepared space, bravery blossoms, laughter follows, and bedtime transforms into a stage where fears are acknowledged, processed, and ultimately tamed.

Keep this protocol close, revisit it often, and let us know what improvements you make. Email [email protected] with your stories, and we will fold your wisdom into upcoming updates. Together we can prove that pretend fear, handled responsibly, is one of the most effective tools for building resilient, empathetic kids.