The Gizmo Watch

Okay, readers! We are going to get down and dirty with this year’s hottest gadget for kids. If you have read my posts over the years, you are well aware of my contempt for technical devices, especially the iPad (and that one device-free summer), but the fact is we live in a technical world and, quite simply, fancy phones and devices are here to stay. The first time my son slept over at a friend’s house was the first time I wished I could check in with him directly to make sure he was comfortable and things were good. I did not have that option, so I terrorized his friend’s mom instead. Coincidentally, my kids’ birthday was coming up so I did some research on this incredible product called the Gizmo watch and I pulled the trigger and gifted them each with one.

I am terrified of what my kids will see and read when they finally get phones and gain access to EVERYTHING. If you have considered purchasing a phone for your young child and have held off for the same reasons many parents have, keep reading–this is the perfect alternative.

This is the perfect next step for all of us who have children who are too young to understand what great responsibility comes with having a cell phone. With the GizmoGadget, your child gets a taste of what it feels like to be in constant contact with a select group of people (that can be easily changed through the GizmoHub App) and parents have a little peace of mind when it comes to the whereabouts of our babies.

Let’s take a closer look:

What is the Gizmo Gadget?

• The Gizmo Gadget is a wearable device. It allows your child two-way calling with up to ten contacts. The only calls they can make or receive are to and from the contacts you load to your child’s device.

• The gadget has texting capabilities. There are 9 pre-loaded text messages (i.e. “I love you”, “get your ass home”, “yes”, “you got it dude”) The only people who can text your child are those that are set-up as caregivers (the phone allows up to nine contacts) and also have the Gizmo Hub app on their phone (I will get to that later).

• The gadget is armed with GPS capabilities! You can see where your most prized possessions are at all times.

• There is a fitness tracker and you can send reminders.

Where can you buy the GizmoGadget?

Verizon or Amazon

*I purchased mine at Verizon. Go here for detailed information on the Gizmo Gadget.

How much does a Gizmo Gadget cost?

$150-$220

What phone service provider do I need?

Verizon. I have AT&T. I hopped on to Grandpa’s Verizon plan.

How much does it cost to add a gadget to you or your relative/friend’s Verizon plan?

$5/monthly

How do you (the caregiver) change and communicate with your Gizmo-wearing kid?

You must download the GizmoHub app. This app allows you to add or change contacts and preset messages. Your child can only respond with the pre-set texts that you load. You or whomever else is set up as a caregiver are allowed to text message up to 30 characters and use the Gizmo emojis.

Like all parents, I have made some mistakes along the way and have some regrets–the iPad being my greatest regret of them all, however, I have yet to find a reason why the Gizmo was a poor choice. I have enjoyed my kids’ periodic messages throughout the day. And, every morning before they line up for school, I send them an intention for the day or a positive thought. I am in love with the fact that I can do that. I am also in love with the idea that I no longer have to call my sister-wife or friend to corral my kids because I am stuck in traffic and won’t make it right in time for pick-up. My kids are nervous-nellies and don’t respond well when plans change. I know, shit happens and life doesn’t always go as planned, but they are still little and this has been nice to ease their anxious little minds. Furthermore, my kids have talked more to grandparents and aunts and uncles and even their “fake-brother” in LA and that makes me happy. I love the fact that this device encourages more talking and less typing. I think we live in a world that desensitizes our youth and the ability to have a real live conversation is a skill so many kids lack. The Gizmo encourages being active and I am amazed by how they reach their step goals by l pm every day. Also, the fact that I have added chores to their to-do lists and then arrived home to them being done has made mom very happy. You will be too! And so will the little one(s) in your life!