Relay keeps families connected. It’s like a screen-free smartphone with fun features and nationwide range, but it works like a walkie talkie with easy one-touch communication. Curious if Relay is right for your family? Wondering if your kids will like it? Take a look at how the Hobby Kids react to their brand new Relays (and the freedom that comes with them!)
Customize with cool features
You can rename your Relays, customize them with stickers, and use free features, or channels. There’s an echo channel, which repeats your words back to you in funny voices. There’s also music playlists, language translation, and more!
“These are the brand new Relay walkie-talkies. They have WiFi and 4G LTE so you can communicate with people close by or really far away. It’s kind of like a screen-free smartphone.” -Hobby dad
Stay safe with communication, GPS, and parental controls
The Relay app is made for parents. Talk to your kid from the app wherever they are and no matter which channel they’re using. And if you don’t want to interrupt their fun, just use the GPS.
“One of the cool things about Relay is you can talk to anyone, anywhere, at any time. You guys should split up and talk to [Hobby Mom] in different parts of the house. The key here is to show Hobby Mom that she can talk to you guys all at once” -Hobby dad
In addition to the family chat channel and built-in location tracking, parents can also set up custom chat channels so they can talk to one kid at a time or give the kids their own private channel. All features and channels are enabled through the app, putting you in control of what they can and can’t access.
It’s no secret that Relay is more fun with friends. Not only do you get to bond with other parents about how easy it is to keep track of your kids with one-touch GPS tracking and communication, but your kids can talk to their friends with their Instant Chat channels and use the funny voices in the echo channel while they play. Oh, and another cool thing: when you introduce Relay to friends, we’ll give you prizes through our Referral Program!
So what kinds of amazing prizes are we offering, anyway?
As you refer more friends, you can “level up” to get customized gifts! Our current grand prize is something pretty special: the gift of ultimate luxury.
Yes, it’s true—if you refer 1000 people to Relay, we will provide your family its very own personal assistant* for an entire YEAR. No more running to get groceries, no more doing the little things that get in the way of family time. Just watch your kids learn and grow, take some time for yourself, and enjoy. But on your way to 1000, here are some of the gifts up for grabs!
Get classic Relay gifts at the Pink, Purple, and Orange levels
At 1, 2, and 5 referrals, you can earn the following gifts:
An on-the-go bag, including a Relay drawstring bag, headband, and water bottle
An official Relay T-shirt
Your choice between a cosy wither blanket with stadium cushion and a summer-iffic beach towel with cooler
Get special customized gifts at Green Blue and Red levels
As you level up to 10, 15, and 25 referrals, choose the gift that fits your family. Claim some fabulous high-level gifts, like:
Dinner on us! We’ll give you a $50 gift card to dine out or gift you a meal subscription service to dine-in.
A $100 donation in your name to a nonprofit of your choosing or a FREE 2-pack of Relays to share with a friend
Two tickets to a special concert or live event happening near you
And it only gets better! We’ll keep adding new prizes on the road to 1000 referrals, so keep checking your app!
Excited? Us, too. Here’s how to get started
If you don’t have a Relay yet, now is a great time to get one! If you’re already a member, give a friend (or two, or five, or a thousand!) a free month of Relay service by sharing your referral code. And snag some must-have gifts for yourself while you’re at it. Here’s how you can start sharing:
1. Open your Relay app
2. Tap the menu icon
3. Tap “Referrals”
4. Tap “Share your link”
5. Let the sharing begin!
At Relay, we want to make things easy for you, no matter if its through a bag to keep your stuff in or a whole year of personal pampering. Our members matter to us, and we can’t wait to start sharing!
*Service to be contracted by the recipient, subject to certain reimbursement requirements.
https://blog.relaypro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/header_tn.png300695Victoria Senghttps://blog.relaypro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/relay_blog.svgVictoria Seng2018-10-26 17:26:182021-04-02 11:22:29Get Fun Prizes When You Share Relay with Friends
“[Limiting screen time is] kind of like eating vegetables—kids don’t usually like it, but they know you expect them to do it because it’s good for them and you love them.”
Meet Allie Casazza (pronounced kuh-SAW-zuh)
She’s married, has four kids, and lives in Southern California. She’s a podcaster and professional blogger, and she’s super passionate about helping burdened moms pursue simplicity so they’re less stressed and more able to enjoy their lives and their kids. Allie teaches a realistic, mom-friendly form of minimalism for both home and life through online courses and hosts The Purpose Show, a highly-ranked podcast focused on motherhood and living an abundant, intentional life.
How do you deal with screen time limits for kids in your home? What are some of the ground rules?
My husband Brian and I know technology is important and that our kids need to be familiar with it—but not when they’re babies and toddlers. Our kids like to play games like Minecraft, Roblox, Mario, etc, and we allow them to do those things. Our rule is no video games on school days, which is Monday through Thursday for us. This has worked really well! It keeps the kids from asking us constantly when they can play games next because there is a set boundary.
During the week, the kids focus on their school work, play with each other, build their sibling bond and create imaginative games with one another. There are no questions about technology coming out to play—that’s not how our home works. I think kids do well with routine and set times for things. They don’t like the unknown, and having things set up that way is just begging for lousy attitudes and arguments.
On “tech okay days,” it’s not a free for all. There are time limits, but those limits flex with our schedule and the kids’ attitudes. We’re a busy family with multiple sports commitments and church involvement, so there’s very rarely a weekend full of tech time. The kids normally play about an hour a day on the weekends, and there are certainly some weekends so full of sports and family fun that there’s no time leftover for tech.
How do you deal with screen time for yourself, especially when you have a business to run?
We allow things to “beep” and “ding” us away from our real lives far too often. I have a set place in my house where I keep my phone during my days at home and I have all notifications turned off except for calls and texts from my husband, my business manager, and one very close friend. Nothing else makes a sound or vibration.
I usually check my phone when I’m preparing a meal, so only a few times a day. I’m known in my circle for not responding to texts very well, and to me that means my priorities are in line. I have a family, a marriage, and my work—a mission I’m on to help mothers lighten their load—and I take all those things seriously. If I respond to every text I get and let my phone “ding” for every notification, I won’t be living on purpose… I’ll be heavily distracted.
For work, my business centers around technology. It’s part of my job to share what’s going on in my life on Instagram Stories, write emails, and respond to comments. That’s fine—I’m working—but I have to keep a tight grip on what’s work and what’s mindless scrolling. It’s just a mindset I have that keeps me in line.
“Once you break the social media addiction/habit, you stop caring about what everyone else is doing and you don’t even think to start scrolling.”
How do parental attitudes toward screen time affect children? Have you experienced this in your home?
I sure have. I think if Brian and I were glued to our phones all the time and then implemented strict rules on tech time with our kids, it would eventually turn into a battle with them. We practice what we preach. This is simply the way our family lives. It’s not a house rule, it’s a lifestyle of focusing on what matters—on what’s happening right in front of you. Technology is a side note, not the main event. The kids see us living that way so it makes sense for them to live that way too.
Do you think less screen time for kids can actually be a stress-reducer for parents instead of being a full-time screen-police regimen? How?
Absolutely! This is where the set days and times has helped us so much. If you just say “turn it off now. That’s enough”, but you have no basis for that statement, your kids will probably whine and not get it. Explain it to them. Lay out the new boundary beforehand for them and clearly show them where the fence is. Saying something like “we will play games on Saturdays and Sundays after sports and church events” leaves no room for asking, begging, and whining on the other days.
Kids just want you to be honest and up front with them. They don’t want to be miserable and have to play guessing games with your whims and moods, and trust me, you don’t either. Clear boundaries keep parents from having to be the “tech police” all the time. We have enough to do as it is!
How can parents convince their kids that taking away screens is a good thing instead of an unfair punishment?
Firstly, setting the boundaries I shared above and also explaining that you love them and want more time with them as well as more time for them to keep their brains healthy. It’s kind of like eating vegetables—kids don’t usually like it, but they know you expect them to do it because it’s good for them and you love them. We can choose to make anything seem negative or positive—it’s in your hands as the parent. Phrase it in a way that shows your child this is the way our home will work from now on, and it’s so that you can play more outdoors and stay healthy.
What advice do you have for parents who are dealing with dreaded “tech tantrums” and other growing pains from cutting back on screen time?
Remember that you are the parent, they are the child, and you are looking out for them and taking care of them. You’re not randomly punishing them. Plan something fun to do outside instead, invest in some creative play tools like Legos or puzzles or board games. Practice what you preach and stop checking your phone all the time. Start living a life focused on what matters and enjoy it with your kids! They will get over it and see this as the new normal with just a little bit of time.
What tip can parents walk away with that they can change in their homes today to start improving their kids’ digital health?
Think about your kids, their ages, your schedule, and what feels right for your family. Set your time boundaries accordingly and implement them today. Stay firm and consistent. Remember, your kids will catch on and this will be their new normal very soon!
Relay is the kids phone that helps kids stay connected, entertained and screen-free.
https://blog.relaypro.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Headshot-w-kids-1.jpg300695Victoria Senghttps://blog.relaypro.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/relay_blog.svgVictoria Seng2018-10-16 14:17:532021-04-02 11:22:35Screen Time Rules for Purposeful Parents with Allie Casazza
Relay keeps kids connected without giving them access to the internet
Relay is the next step in your child’s journey towards independence—it’s a screen-free cell phone alternative and GPS tracker that works like a walkie talkie. Relay uses 4G LTE and WiFi to deliver messages, so it works anywhere a cell phone would work! Your kid can use their Relay to talk to you through an app on your smartphone and to all the Relays on your account.
“Let’s say you have kids ages 6-11…they’re too young for a smartphone. These little Relay gadgets are the absolute answer! And [kids are] not going to break it!” –Fox 5 NY
Connect fast, connect meaningfully—with no screens to get in the way.
Introducing your child to a smartphone is a big step. It takes a lot of trust, communication, and responsibility. But it isn’t really fair to kids when we expect them to go from no phone to smartphone all at once, especially if they haven’t been able to practice the kind of responsibility we expect from a full-fledged smartphone user. We don’t expect our kids to know the rules for a new game or sport without a little practice. Phones are the same, but with much higher stakes! Relay enables parents to keep in touch with their digital trainees while teaching them about the internet, responsibility, and trust at their own pace.
“Think of Relay kind of like a walkie-talkie, only smarter … But unlike a walkie-talkie, Relay uses 4G LTE connectivity to keep you in touch with your youngster.” –USA Today
“[My son] is talking to me more than he ever has before. There is something magical about it being a walkie talkie instead of a phone that gets him talking more.” –Kareeyore, Relay member via The Neighborhood
5 things your kid can do with Relay:
1. Talk to family
Use the group channel to broadcast to the whole account and set up private channels for your child to speak to just dad or just mom and dad.
2. Talk to friends
Bump two Relays from different accounts together to set up a temporary instant chat channel for games and playtime. The channel goes away when Relay switches to a different channel.
3. Listen to a music playlist
Parents can add music files to Relay so kids can listen to their favorite playlist either out loud or with headphones. Kids can skip forward and backward between tracks and shuffle their playlist.
4. Learn something new
Relay’s translate channel lets kids hear their words repeated back to them in a different language! And no worries about your little ones learning dirty words in a different language—we’ve got that covered.
5. Have some fun
Kids can use the Echo channel to hear their words repeated back to them in funny voices, and we have a bunch of cool features, like Joke of the Day, in the works!
“The Relay has been great to communicate with my 6th grader riding the bus for the first time to and from middle school […] this is his first year in Youth Group at church, so he’s able to let us know when he needs us to come pick him up.” –Catherinem.ft19ox, Relay member via The Neighborhood
5 things your kid can’t do with Relay
1. Screen time
Screen time is associated with sleep problems, eye strain, and obesity. If unchecked, it can also lead to behavioral changes and screen addiction.
2. Social media
It’s good to avoid social media until your child is mature enough to be a good online citizen. They can encounter bullying and feel sad or left out of other people’s activities.
3. Internet access
The internet is a big place, and if left unsupervised, your child could stumble across inappropriate content. As well, they could be targeted by advertisements, spam, and strangers.Relay enables parents to protect kids from content they aren’t ready to handle and teach them along the way.
4. Text Messages
Text messages (SMS) and picture messages (MMS) allow kids to have more private conversations that could contain inappropriate content. While this may be appropriate for tweens and teens, some parents might prefer to help their kids build some responsibility and trust before introducing them to texting.
5. Receive calls from strangers
Relay doesn’t have a phone number, and that means no spammers or strangers can contact them. Your kid also can’t contact anyone that is not part of the family account without parental permission.
Top 3 perks of being a Relay parent
Relay, unlike a smartphone, was built for kids, not just adapted for them. That means you don’t have to install special apps to make it “safe enough” for a kid to use—with Relay, parental controls are built-in. And because they’re built in, there are no sneaky workarounds or loopholes. Here are some of the perks of kid-proof parental controls.
1. Control the Channel Store
The Channel Store is kind of like Relay’s app store, except it’s filled with completely KidsafeⓇ and screen-free features and only the parent can add and remove channels from each Relay. Channels let Relay grow with your child—you can add more as they get older and more responsible. Relay’s extra features are turned off by default, so you are completely in control of the content your kid can access.
2. Communication before play
Want to get in touch with your child, but they’re playing on another channel? No worries, your kid’s Relay will automatically switch to the correct channel and receive your message. Even though Relay is full of distraction-free fun, communication is always its primary purpose.
3. Convenient GPS tracking
Relay has built-in GPS location services. That means you can find their location in real time via your Relay app and even get directions to go pick them up. Your child’s location and location history can only be viewed on your app and no location information is stored on our servers. That security step means you (and only you!) always know where your child is.
Get quick, reliable communication for your kids without smartphone trade offs.
Halloween is on the horizon, and our little ones are getting excited for costumes, candy, and roaming the neighborhood streets. As our kids get more independent, they often stop wanting us to tag along for trick-or-treating. But just because you aren’t walking door-to-door with your kids doesn’t mean you won’t keep them safe on Halloween night. Here are five ways to safely empower your kids with Relay while trick-or-treating this year.
1. Set up check-in times.
Communication is one of the easiest ways to ease worry and preserve safety. When you set check-in times, it can help you relax and give your kid an opportunity to brag to you about their great candy haul. If your kid wears a watch, you could ask them to Relay you every hour, every 30 minutes, whatever feels right to you. If they don’t have a watch, don’t worry! They can check in after every couple of houses they trick-or-treat at. If they’re a little late, you can check in with them instead. For your back up plan, if your kid is late and doesn’t respond when you Relay them, make sure they know you’ll be coming to pick them up, helped out by their GPS location.
2. Establish the candy route
Make sure your little ones know where they can and can’t go. Depending on where you live and your kid’s age and responsibility level, the boundaries will be different. You can decide on landmarks closer to your home for younger kids (don’t go past the big tree at the end of the road) and streets for bigger kids (stay in the neighborhood, and don’t go farther than Oak Avenue.) For extra peace of mind, you can keep track of where they are by looking at their GPS location on your Relay app. If your kid is trick-or-treating with friends, make sure the group stays together and the other parents are on the same page about the route.
3. Let the kids know where you are
At home handing out candy? In the cul-de-sac with the other neighborhood parents? Whether your kid is highly independent or would feel better knowing you’re just down the street, if they know where you are and know you can be there if they need you, it will make the evening easier for everybody. If letting the kids roam by themselves makes you uncomfortable, no worries—they can still have a “big kid” Halloween experience even if you walk with them. Maybe they can walk a house or two ahead, still within your eyesight, but far enough to feel independent.
4. Set the safety standard
Make sure your kids are aware of the basic safety rules: don’t take any candy that isn’t in its original packaging. Don’t go inside anybody’s house or car. Come home when you ask them to, no ifs, ands, or buts. Don’t approach any house whose lights aren’t turned on. And if they have any questions, Relay you for advice, help, or to be picked up. Setting ground rules beforehand and even running through some what-if scenarios with your kids can help the whole family feel safer about trick-or-treating and eliminate confusion and protests down the line.
5. Have fun!
If your kid’s friends have Relays, they can set up instant chat channels to play, talk, and find out where all the good candy is. If you need to contact them, their Relays will automatically switch channels to receive your message. And for parents, you can have a great Halloween with the peace of mind that your kid is only a Relay away.
