This post is sponsored by Verizon, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only feature brands we genuinely love.
My mom always talks about how much of a mess she and my dad were on my first day of kindergarten. They even took the day off from work just in case the school called them. Turns out that on the first day, I simply walked into the classroom, waved happily, and never looked back. I’ve been thinking about that story daily now that my oldest is about to start kindergarten. Will he have the same experience as I did? Will he cry like he did the first week of daycare? Twenty-something years later, and now I’m the one worrying just like my mom was.
I’m mostly concerned about the increased independence he (and I) will have to adjust to in elementary school, such as navigating a busy pickup line and after-school activities with his little sister, who’s also starting pre-K at the same school. Ultimately, I need a way to communicate with him that feels simple and suitable for a 5-year-old. After doing my research and talking to other moms in the same boat, I decided that a kids’ smartwatch, like the Gizmo Watch 3, was the right next step for him. After trying the Gizmo Watch 3 over the summer, here’s why I feel more confident heading into kindergarten this fall.
I’ve been intentional about limiting my kids’ access to screens. No tablets, no playing on Mom or Dad’s phones, and only watching TV in the living room—aside from the occasional emergency Bluey episode in the doctor’s office or movies during travel. This puts me on team “no phones until the teen years,” and especially no smartphones. This is why I appreciate the child-friendly functionality of the Gizmo Watch 3, which has limited functions that kids need without internet access, unsanctioned apps, or social media.
The Gizmo Watch provides the ideal first device experience for younger kids with real-time location monitoring and two-way calling or texting to parent-approved contacts only. The parental monitoring features are next-level and extremely easy to manage with the GizmoHub app on my phone. Once I connected the watch through the GizmoHub app, I was able to set it up with up to 20 contacts (only Mom, Dad, and Abuela, for now), and it only took a couple of minutes to send them app invitations. Approved contacts can send texts to the Gizmo Watch 3 using the GizmoHub app.
For an early reader like my son, we primarily communicate through calls and voice messages (and lots of emojis, of course). However, the Gizmo Watch 3 can grow with your kid as they age up with features like video calling (this can be turned off in the GizmoHub app), to-do lists, a photo gallery, and even movement goals. I can see my son and, eventually, my daughter once she has her own Gizmo Watch 3, using this throughout elementary school and even middle school.
Parents can check on their kids’ Gizmo Watch 3 activity from the GizmoHub App to provide peace of mind. Get a great deal on the Gizmo Watch 3 now!
Available in 3 colors
Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure is made with extra-durable materials and a larger screen for kids who are always on the go. The Adventure version is also camera-free and is priced under $100. Just like the Gizmo Watch 3, parents can stay connected with location monitoring and calling or texting parent-approved contacts.
Available in 3 colors
During our time at daycare and preschool the last few years, I was able to drop my kids off in their classrooms, receive photos from their caregivers throughout the day, and trust they could easily navigate the small building. All of that changes in elementary school, especially drop-offs and pickups. I won’t be able to enter the building anymore, and my kids will have to navigate the hectic outdoor pickup area until I find them. The Gizmo Watch 3 helps me manage those “Where are you?!” moments without added stress.
Not only can I check his location in real time, but I can also set up location alerts so my GizmoHub app notifies me if his Gizmo Watch 3 leaves a certain area. There’s also an “Auto-answer calls” setting I can turn on, so if he doesn’t answer within 10 seconds, Gizmo Watch 3 will put the call through automatically.
Just as importantly, the Gizmo Watch 3 has a “school mode” feature to prevent texting or calling during a set time frame, which can be set up in the GizmoHub app. However, parents can still monitor the watch’s location when that feature is turned on. This way, he can only text or call right before school starts and right after school ends, just in time for the pickup line. For me, it’s important to set boundaries around technology to minimize disruptions, and I’ve found this to be a great function for establishing rules early on.
The Gizmo Watch 3 is intentional about prioritizing connection over entertainment, and that’s truly what I love most about this device. As a Millennial/Gen Z-cusper, I still had the experience of running around the neighborhood with all my friends for years before smartphones were a thing. It saddened me to think that my kids may not get that piece of childhood nostalgia in today’s modern world. But with the Gizmo Watch 3, not only does it provide me with peace of mind during the school day, but also beyond school grounds. I feel more at ease allowing my kids to ride bikes around the neighborhood or play at a neighbor’s house once they’re old enough, knowing that I can see their location and easily contact them. And thanks to the Gizmo Watch 3’s limited functionality, I can do all this without my kids being glued to a screen.
Above all, my biggest wish is that my kids can still be kids even after entering this big transition. I, like most moms, don’t want them growing up too fast. And I’m grateful for technology that’s mindful about what features young kids should have access to. The Gizmo Watch 3 allows my kids to explore, learn, and grow all within an age-appropriate framework while giving me mental peace during this new stage of childhood and parenthood.
Parents can check on their kids’ Gizmo Watch 3 activity from the GizmoHub App to provide peace of mind. Get a great deal on the Gizmo Watch 3 now!
Available in 3 colors
Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure is made with extra-durable materials and a larger screen for kids who are always on the go. The Adventure version is also camera-free and is priced under $100. Just like the Gizmo Watch 3, parents can stay connected with location monitoring and calling or texting parent-approved contacts.
Available in 3 colors
Since becoming a young mama in 2020, Steph has found joy in creating beautiful yet relatable content surrounding the raw realities of motherhood. She believes showcasing both the wonders and struggles of being a parent helps other mothers understand that they are not alone in their journey.
This post is sponsored by Verizon, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only feature brands we genuinely love.
