Halloween has always been one of my favorite nights of the year. I love the anticipation, the planning, and of course, the traditions that come with it—especially since becoming a mom. Every October, our family of four goes all in: We start brainstorming group costumes as early as August, map out our route to make sure we don’t miss the best-decorated houses, and even set up our 12-foot skeleton, Skelly, who guards our house all season long.
But this year, as we sat down to plan, my eldest son proudly announced that he already had a costume in mind: a ninja. Not just any ninja, but one complete with a mask and, not one, not two, but four swords strapped to a backpack shield. Then came the part that hit me like a punch to the gut—he wanted to wear his ninja costume alone, without a family group theme, and he wanted to trick-or-treat with friends instead of us.
Of course, I knew this day was coming. As parents, my husband and I have always encouraged creativity, confidence, and independence. But nothing quite prepares you for the moment your child tells you they’re ready to let go of your hand, even if just for a night. Like any parenting milestone, you want to cheer them on while also figuring out how to manage your own nerves. Halloween, after all, brings its own unique set of worries with the darkness, the crowds, and all of the sugar-fueled excitement. So, I had to decide how to balance his desire for independence with my natural motherly concerns.
Our first big step towards independence this Halloween
I want my son to have core childhood memories of Halloween—the thrill of sprinting from house to house, showing off his costume, and laughing with friends until his candy bag is too heavy to carry. At the same time, I want to know where he is, who he’s with, and how to reach him instantly if I need to. He’s only seven after all, so he’s not quite old enough to be completely unsupervised with friends. That’s why this year, we’re trying something new: the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3. For us, the Gizmo Watch 3 feels like the perfect “middle ground” between total freedom and constant worry. It gives my son the independence to trick-or-treat with friends, while giving me the peace of mind knowing I can check in while I’m only a house or two behind him.
The features that mattered to me the most, especially for a night like Halloween, are simple yet very effective:
Real-time GPS monitoring, so I can see his location while he’s on the trick-or-treat route.
Call and text functions, so he can reach me with voice messages, pre-written texts, or I can call him directly.
An auto-answer setting, which means if he doesn’t pick up after 10 seconds, the Gizmo Watch 3 answers automatically.
Safe zone alerts, which notify me if he leaves the part of the neighborhood we agreed on.
SOS button, which he can easily use if he ever feels unsafe, and will promptly alert me to his location.
No internet access, so I don’t have to worry about him becoming distracted or accessing content he’s not ready for.
Parent-approved contact list, which can only be set up by me or dad through the GizmoHub app, and ensures he can only communicate with trusted adults.
On the night itself, he’ll get to set off with his friends, in his ninja costume and all its glory, while we trail behind. I’ll be able to check his progress using the GizmoHub app’s real-time location monitoring, send a quick “Have fun!” text without completely cramping his style, and know that if he ever feels nervous—or just needs to unload a few swords into my car—I can be there in minutes. It’s exactly the kind of backup plan that makes letting go feel doable.
Source: Alexandra Pagar Wolf
Giving kids freedom doesn’t have to feel so scary
When I think back to my own childhood, trick-or-treating with friends was one of my first real tastes of independence. Growing up in New York City, my friends and I would roam from apartment building to apartment building together, racing up and down stairwells with the comfort of knowing our parents were nearby if we needed them. That freedom is something I want my son to feel, too—even if the setting looks a little different in the suburbs.
The truth is, independence is a natural and necessary part of growing up. It’s a gift to let our kids take those first steps toward it, even when it makes our hearts ache a little. Tools like the Gizmo Watch 3 don’t replace parenting instincts, but rather support them. They create a bridge between our kids’ growing need for freedom and our very real need for peace of mind.
So yes, this Halloween will be different for our family. My ninja will head out with friends instead of sticking by my side, and I’ll be cheering him on from a few steps back. It’s a little scary, but also a little wonderful and exciting. Milestones like this remind me that parenting isn’t just about holding on. It’s about learning how to let go, one step (and one Halloween night) at a time.
Ally is the mom to two rambunctious boys, ages 5 and 7, and is rightfully referred to as “Chief Household Officer” in her home. You can find her family spending long afternoons swimming in their pool, searching for sea glass at the New England shore, and going on fun outdoor adventures.
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