Alerts on watch while phone is unlocked and open?!

I am new to Apple watch. Have had iPhones since their inception, so I'm frustrated at myself for not being able to figure this out on my own.

I use GPS regularly on my phone when I drive, and sometimes at work must have a video player or website open to monitor things. While the phone is open I do not get alerts delivered on my watch and it's very annoying. I was told possibly wrist detection, but unable to disable it. I do not have a passcode on my watch or anything outside a basic setup.

Hoping someone can please help me!