Ever feel like there’s always something on your to-do list waiting for you? Avram and Rachel know the struggle! As busy parents and entrepreneurs, they always look for ways to stay productive at home. But trying to keep a toddler entertained while managing housework can be a real challenge. That’s why they’ve come up with creative ways to turn everyday chores into playful bonding moments that keep their son, Lincoln, happy—without sacrificing productivity. In this episode, the parenting duo shares their tips for making the most of your family’s downtime and tackling your to-do list together!

Show Notes

Key Highlights from this Episode:

• Avram and Rachel share what it’s like being parents who, as entrepreneurs, naturally stay productive and get things done even when they’re at home.

• How they turned household chores like loading laundry and washing dishes into fun activities with their toddler.

• Discover how these simple moments turned into special bonding time that keeps their little one engaged and happy.

• Tips for parents on finding ways to involve their kids and make chores a family activity!

• How simply being there (even when folding laundry) can mean the world to your child.

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Episode Transcription

Below you will find a transcript of this entire podcast episode. Enjoy!

Avram Gonzales: Every parent knows the pain of being stuck at home with a bored toddler.

Rachel Gonzales: Oh gosh, it’s pretty bad.

Avram Gonzales: Bored toddler, really tired, little baby, tired mom.

Rachel Gonzales: Yep. Oh my gosh.

Avram Gonzales: Sometimes schedules don’t really line up and you find yourself stuck at home. You can’t really go anywhere, can’t really do much else, and um We’re making this podcast because we know you can relate

Rachel Gonzales: Yeah.

Avram Gonzales: we also know that being entrepreneurs It is hard to sit still and not be productive not be busy, not doing something like we like the feeling of fulfillment of having accomplished

Rachel Gonzales: Right. Exactly. We like to fix things too. You know, get things done. Fix things.

Avram Gonzales: So when you feel stuck or you feel like you’re in limbo, it’s like what do you do with that? And that’s what this episode is about because we just had this big discovery that we wanted to share with you that we’re definitely gonna be taken forward in our household.

Rachel Gonzales: Absolutely. Yes. So we just stumbled on this because, you know, I think it was kind of a carryover from potty training with Lincoln that we would just stay at home, let him have some time to practice to make sure that we get all the bodily fluids out into the toilet, you know? So we’re, we’re at home a lot and I just found myself being really frustrated by that recently because Lincoln is getting increasingly just more curious. He wants to go out too. He doesn’t really like being at home all the time. So just found ourselves looking at our clocks or our, Wristwatches and seeing the time and it’s like four hours until the first baby goes down.

We’re like, how are we going to do this? We noticed that when we’re doing something like a project or we’re doing chores around the house You know getting laundry done or we’re cleaning the floors or whatever That might be that Lincoln actually entertain himself He’ll go play with his cars, or he’ll be with us, but he’ll let us do that thing.

Avram Gonzales: So we discover this when Some something took us out into the garage. Oh, it was it was the new crib. So we’re gonna be getting ready to transition into August the almost four month old into a crib sort of bought the new crib and we’re out in the garage We’re like we got to set this thing up. Maybe we won’t have time after the babies go to bed but you know regardless let’s set this thing up and we noticed that as we’re putting this together Yeah, like he wanted to be involved at times and it was like, oh my gosh, dude would you stop picking up the screws and running away with them?

But on the flip side? It was like he was over in another part of the garage at one point, just really fascinated with some of the old toys that he had found. Um, different other things that are going, but

Rachel Gonzales: But he was, he’d come over and show me things. That was the interaction he wanted from me. Which was nice because I was able to actually do something, be productive. And that felt so good. we’re at home, you know, if he comes over and he, his, uh, his code now for he needs to go poop is poop goes in the potty.

And then I run him. I pick him up, put him under my arms, and I run him to the potty as quickly as I can. And there we are. So we have these codes that we’re at home and we can still get the thing done, be productive, and oh my gosh, Whoa, what a breakthrough.

Avram Gonzales: Yeah. When we’re just sitting around and trying to pass the time and there’s no activity or thing going on, Lincoln’s getting bored. That’s a, that’s a big part, right? And then he’s just seeking so much attention. You know, if you’re on your phone,

Rachel Gonzales: Oh boy.

Avram Gonzales: He really wants your attention now

Rachel Gonzales: Yep.

Avram Gonzales: you know,

Rachel Gonzales: Well, and I find that, for me,I’m getting to the point where there’s only one feed at night with August. So I am, um, getting more energy to do things, but I find that I’m pretty tired towards the end of the day. So it is difficult to do something with him. And, uh, gosh, there’s, there’s so many things that could be done, but I just, I just feel like there’s very little that I have to give at the end of the day.

Avram Gonzales: very little to give and so it’s like you have to rally what we noticed was he likes to, like if you’ve got laundry to do he loves following you around while you’re moving the loads he loves pushing them in and stuff like that

Rachel Gonzales: Right? Or he loves to roll in them once you put them on whatever surface you are going to use to contain them and then fold them. You know, he loves to play.

Avram Gonzales: He started, like, pulling the chair over from the, the kitchen table so that he can help with dishes, you know, slash just really play with the water, which is super fun, but, you know, at least he’s, like, doing that and he’s not going and getting into something else that he doesn’t need to be getting into.

So we just found that it’s really interesting that if you’re doing something maybe that’s actually, now that I think about it, not really in alignment with what you would want to be doing anyway. You’re just passing the time. It’s like his antennas go up and he knows, and he’s like, let’s go do something better.

Rachel Gonzales: Exactly.

Avram Gonzales: You don’
t always have the energy to like get crafts out and work with him, right? So what, but what has to be done in the house? Like there’s all these chores and things, and when you knock one out, what happens?

Rachel Gonzales: Well, it’s a cascade of awesomeness.

Avram Gonzales: You get energy back.

Rachel Gonzales: feel like I get energy, and then I have more energy to put towards the kids, as well as the house, as well as all sorts of other things. So instead of feeling drained and diminished. By all of the things that I’m not getting done, because that’s always weighing on me, then I’m able to actually be present with him, do some things in the house.

He’s getting to see stuff, he can help be involved as well, but I just feel like I get some energy back and it’s just really awesome. It’s a win win. Really?

Avram Gonzales: You know what I just realized? I think it’s that he feels that we’re present or we’re not.

Rachel Gonzales: Yeah, correct.

Avram Gonzales: And like when you’re doing chores and you’re doing things together,

Rachel Gonzales: Yeah, you’re all there together

Avram Gonzales: Right. And then you can feel like when you disconnect and you’re doing something else. So maybe that’s actually what he’s, what he’s cued into.

That’s interesting. Cause it’s, it’s like, it doesn’t really, it seems like it’s about the activity, but it’s really about the connection.

Rachel Gonzales: Yeah, I think it really is. He wants connection for sure. And you know, we also found that what we would do previous to August being born is I would take Lincoln out for a date with him. We would go on an adventure time. We call it adventure time here. Uh, we would go to Petsmart and look at the fish, or we would go look at the cats there, or the guinea pigs, or whatever other little critters

Avram Gonzales: was so hot this summer, we couldn’t go to the park and stuff

Rachel Gonzales: Correct. So,

Avram Gonzales: go to the pet store

Rachel Gonzales: Exactly, so we would do different things and, with the situation that we find ourselves in, plus potty training, that’s not been really an option until about maybe two weeks ago. But, that’s also what he wants. He wants time with me as well. You know, he loves going out with you and doing things like KidStrong or other stuff.

But he, oh gosh, if the adventure time is even going to Walmart, or to, uh, Smiths, or whatever store we need to go to pick up groceries, he knows what a grocery store is, he loves it! So it’s simple stuff, but like you said, it’s connection. When we’re in the car, we’re constantly talking to each other, or when we’re at the grocery store, we’re really together and we’re on a mission.

You know, so, I love that.

Avram Gonzales: I think we’re just going to work more consciously to bring him into the fold because there’s just so many benefits to it. You know, beyond, beyond the connection that being present that’s, he gets to learn new skills. He gets to bond with mom and dad

Rachel Gonzales: when I have the vision and the hope, you know, with all the things coming into our life with taking me more and more out of our business and just having specific roles that I’m really, really good at, that I’ll have more time with him and August, and that I will be able to involve them in all sorts of other things. Doing crafts and having energy for that and cleaning and organizing and helping them, be involved in stuff and having life skills like learning how to do laundry when they’re little, folding their laundry, putting those things away. All sorts of things that are so possible for little kids to help with and they’re so excited to do it.

So I’m really excited for that eventuality for us.

Avram Gonzales: Yeah, it’s great. We have, community question, for you this week. We’re excited about it. We want to know what’s a chore that your kids like to do with you. We may or may not be looking for some extra inspiration here. Also, let us know how old your kid is. I think that would be helpful, right?

Rachel Gonzales: Yeah, I love that

Avram Gonzales: Two year old is capable of are pretty different than a five year old and so forth, but we’d still love to hear it.

What’s chore your kids like to do with you? You can find us on Instagram, Facebook all the places @babiesandbizpod That’s where we’re gonna post that community question for you to interact with we’d love to hear your comments and what you come up with. With that if you haven’t given us that five star review on Apple Podcast or Spotify, please do that.

It helps encourage new listeners to tune in to the show. And with that, we’ll catch on the next one.

Rachel Gonzales: Bye for now.