When my oldest started kindergarten, I remember feeling a mix of excitement with a subtle hint of panic. She was ready, but I was not. My younger daughter was still in preschool, and suddenly, my days were split between morning drop-offs, forgotten lunch boxes, and wondering how my kindergartener was during the seven hours we were apart.
I carried that typical, early-mom anxiety throughout the first decade of my kids’ lives: Were they making friends? Would they be OK without me hovering nearby, ready with a snack and a reminder to wear their jacket? I vividly remember the first time I let both girls ride bikes around the block alone. My youngest still had training wheels, and my heart was racing until they came back into view. That tiny bit of independence felt monumental—for them and for me.
Now that my girls are past the elementary school years, I can clearly see how those little chances to practice independence made a big difference in their confidence. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned between early elementary and middle school is just how much you have to let go. So giving them opportunities for independence—and working through your own parental anxiety—when the stakes are relatively low is so important. Tools like Verizon’s kid-friendly tech options can offer peace of mind and make it easier to let go—just a little—when it matters most. And to my younger moms, I get why the prospect of letting go seems so very terrifying (because it is). But there are ways to step back without feeling like you’re losing sight of them.
How I first introduced my kids to independence (without losing sleep)
When my kids were just starting elementary school, I was constantly torn between wanting to give them freedom and needing to keep tabs on them for safety. Gone are the days of widely available payphones and landlines in every house—today, kids need their own way to stay in touch for check-ins, rides, and possible emergencies. For us, age-appropriate technology like the Gizmo Watch 3 brought me a level of reassurance I didn’t even realize I needed. We introduced these in second grade as birthday presents—both a fun milestone and a way to give them more independence in the neighborhood and during after-school activities.
The Gizmo Watch 3 felt like the perfect first step. It gave my kids a sense of responsibility with features like calling, texting, and setting reminders—but with training wheels. They could only call or text a list of parent-approved contacts, which meant they had some independence without full access like a regular phone. I could monitor their location on my device through the GizmoHub app, manage their trusted contacts, and check in as needed. It let them feel “big” without me fully letting go, and I could breathe a little easier knowing they were just a tap away.
Now that they’re inching into the pre-teen stage, I’ve been thinking more seriously about what tools will support this next phase of independence. After seeing how helpful the Gizmo Watch has been for our family, I feel confident introducing the Verizon Family app as our next step.
What is the Verizon Family app?
I’m entering a new phase of parenting: the first phone era. And I won’t lie—it’s scary. I want my kids to be able to call me, coordinate pickups, and connect with friends. But I also worry about the unknowns that come with full internet access. We’re holding firm to the “no social media until 16” rule, and with so much more research on its harm than even a few years ago, that decision feels even more important now.
That’s why discovering the Verizon Family app has been a game-changer—it helps ease my anxiety around this stage and gives me the tools to parent with more confidence.
With Verizon Family, I can manage everything in one place—from location sharing to screen time limits to reviewing general call and text activity made over Verizon’s network. It acts as a central hub for monitoring our family’s devices, so I always know where everyone is and can stay ahead of digital habits. As the default parent who works from home, I’m usually the one fielding logistics and making quick decisions, but now, my husband and I can stay in sync. Beyond location tracking, I can view usage patterns, set parental controls, and even block certain apps or filter content to help us stick to the boundaries we’ve agreed on together.
The Verizon Family app acts as a central hub for checking the device locations of family members on your Verizon Wireless account. With the Plus version, you can set up parental controls—like screen time limits, content filters, and app blocking—on compatible devices to help guide safe and responsible tech use.
Why I recommend the Verizon Family app to other moms
It provides kids with freedom that’s age-appropriate
The Plus version of the Verizon Family app allows me to support my kids’ independence while still setting thoughtful boundaries. It’s the unfettered access to the internet and social media that’s made me the most hesitant about giving them smartphones. That’s why the features of Verizon Family Plus are especially appealing—I can manage screen time, see which apps and websites they’re using (and for how long), pause internet access, and even filter content to help them make smart digital choices. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes parenting tool I wish I’d had from the start—one that adapts as your kids grow and gives everyone peace of mind.
For me, peace of mind also means knowing where they are. We live in a walkable community without a school bus system, so my girls often walk home or to the library after school. Recently, my eldest had a bit of a scare while biking home from a new park. She took a wrong turn and tried calling me, but her device died mid-call. Thanks to the Verizon Family app, I was able to see her last known location and find her quickly.
It grows with your family’s needs
One of the things I appreciate most about the Verizon Family app is how it evolves with your family. Right now, I use it to check if my daughter made it to the library after school or to make sure she didn’t forget her phone at dance class. But I know that in a few years, as they start driving (my palms are sweating just thinking about it), I’ll be using the app’s Plus features like post-ride reports with speed and hard-braking insights to see how they’re doing, and roadside assistance if they ever need help. It’s designed to meet your family where you are—whether you’re navigating the first solo walk to a friend’s house or watching your 16-year-old pull out of the driveway for the first time. Learn more about Verizon Family and Family Plus here, and download the app to explore more features.
The Verizon Family app acts as a central hub for checking the device locations of family members on your Verizon Wireless account. With the Plus version, you can set up parental controls—like screen time limits, content filters, and app blocking—on compatible devices to help guide safe and responsible tech use.
When I think about what I wish I’d known during those early elementary years, it’s this: Supporting your child’s independence isn’t about letting go all at once—it’s about learning to trust them a little more each day. Start small. Let them ride their bike one block over. Let them text Grandma from their smartwatch. Let them figure out what time they need to be home. These moments build their independence—and help you learn to trust it.
And when the time comes for that first phone? You don’t have to go in blind. With tools like Verizon Family, you can give them more freedom and maintain the kind of oversight that helps everyone feel comfortable. It’s not about constant check-ins—it’s about knowing you can check in when it matters. That peace of mind is something I didn’t know I needed back then. But I’m so glad to have it now.
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for eight years, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.
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