My original plan was to keep my daughter in an elementary school that's just down the street so I can take her to school without missing much work. I figured come middle school(6th grade/11 years old) she would ride a bus and I would get her a cell phone just in case. Well... Her school is shutting down so we have to make adjustments.... Next school year (3rd grade/8 years old) she will be in a new school and will ride the bus.

I know I probably sound crazy because kids have been riding the bus to school even before cell phones were a thing. And I know most children get to and from school just fine. But the thought of her having to get on the right bus and get off at the right stop by herself with no way to contact me if something goes wrong is scary. When I was 17 I had to ride a city bus by myself and I got off at the wrong stop and had no cell phone. Spent over an hour wondering around in 90 degree heat until I made it to my destination. So maybe that feeds into my fear of my 8 year old riding the bus.

I haven't done much research yet. I just want her to be able to contact me and her father in case of an emergency. And for her to have a GPS tracker so we know where she's at. I'm hoping there are parental locks so she can't contact just anyone.

But I'm worried that she's not mature enough for a phone yet. She'll probably think of it as a cool toy to show off to her friends. I'll tell her the rule is to keep it on silent during school and to not take it out of her backpack until she's on the bus... But I doubt she'd actually follow that rule. And I can't threaten to take it away if she doesn't listen because the whole point is that I want her to be able to contact me. If it wasn't for the fact that she's going to be riding the bus, I wouldn't even consider getting her a phone yet.

Am I being crazy?

Edit: I'm looking into the kid watch with my phone provider and the reviews are iffy. Seems like half the time it doesn't even work. I have T Mobile. Just trying to find the most cost effective option without having to buy my daughter her own special phone plan. Unless it's cheaper that way. My original thought was to just add a line to my current plan. But don't feel comfortable with my daughter having a complete cell phone like I do. Definitely need restrictions.