Ways to communicate with DS that don't involve a cell phone?

[redheadbaker]

Since September, there've been some occasions where I wish DS had a way to communicate to me whether to pick him up or not. Once, I forgot to go get him at dismissal. Other times, he WANTS to stay after school and play on the playground with his friends, so I'm going over at dismissal for nothing and having to go back and get him an hour later. 

However, I *don't* want him to have a phone. He's not responsible enough to take care of it/not lose it or break it. He doesn't have enough self-restraint to not play with it during class time. 

Are there any other options? He has a school Chromebook and knows how to email me, but the WiFi signal isn't strong enough to reach outside and he can't get back in after dismissal and half the time, he forgets to pack it in his backpack to bring home. 

[dcn]

Gizmo watch? Or something similar?

[formerlyak]

Prepaid flip phone? That's what my older son had until I was ready for him to have a real phone.

[jaycee]

We have an Apple Watch that my son uses. We've tried off brand technology before and they aren't intuitive to learn and end up being pieces of junk. We love the Apple Watch because he can text us, call us, we have GPS tracking on it. He feels like he has some cool piece of technology but it is not easy to use to play games on or surf the internet.

[zarapipe]

Gabb watch?

[dochas]

A watch of some kind. My son has the Gizmo. It's in school mode during school hours. Since it can't be used the teachers let the students keep them on their wrist. I love that we can communicate and I do not want him worrying about losing or dropping a phone.

[af1212]

Can he just use the phone at the main office to call you?

That’s what I wouod have done when I was a kid in those situations.

If that doesn’t work then I recommend the gizmo watch.

[erbear]

I’m getting DD (13 in February) a flip phone.

[redheadbaker]

Thanks! I ordered a Gizmo Watch.

[CloudBee]

DS (8) has a watch phone. He can't type specific messages, but can select from 20 presets.

He wears it when he walks around the corner of our quiet neighborhood to play with his friend. He can't lose it because it's strapped to his wrist. We went with Gabb Wireless.

[Mushe]

Glad you ordered the gizmo! It works very well for us for what you described. DS calls me if I’m not there to pick him up, often asking if he can stay and play a bit.