Two-Parent Remote Schedule with a Nanny: Real Timetable
Managing a two-parent remote work schedule with a nanny in the mix is like running a small tech startup—except your “team” is under five and the coffee budget is out of control. If you’ve ever tried to code, write, or take a video call while a toddler gleefully mashes Play-Doh into your laptop, you know the stakes are real. After a year of living this life on the road (hello, Airbnbs with questionable Wi-Fi), my partner and I have finally built a system that doesn’t break the moment someone spikes a fever or the power goes out. Here’s our actual, warts-and-all weekly timetable—plus the tools and templates that keep us (mostly) sane.
Why You Need a Realistic Remote Schedule
Remote work sounds dreamy—until you realize that meetings, deadlines, and family all want your undivided attention at the same time. Add a nanny to help with the kids, and suddenly you have a three-adult relay race with zero room for error. Here’s the thing: you can’t “wing it” every day and expect to survive.
We tried “flexible” before. It turned into a mess of half-finished tasks, cold coffee, and one too many Grubhub orders. You need structure, but you also need flexibility for those inevitable curveballs—think nap strikes, surprise client calls, or a sudden need to deep-clean applesauce from the walls.
“Having a working schedule with handoffs and backups isn’t just about productivity—it’s about protecting your sanity and your relationships.”
Our Actual Weekly Timetable
Let’s get into the nuts and bolts. Here’s the real schedule we use (with some tweaks for privacy). Both of us do full-time remote work, and our nanny covers about 30 hours a week. Our kids: ages 2 and 4.
| Time | Parent 1 | Parent 2 | Nanny | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00-08:00 | Kid breakfast, prep | Solo deep work | Arrives 08:00 | Quiet hours for urgent work |
| 08:00-12:00 | Deep work | Meetings, focus work | With kids (play, learning, snacks) | Noise-cancelling headphones = must |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch with kids | Break/lunch | Prep lunch, assists with naps | Family time, quick walk if possible |
| 13:00-15:00 | Meetings, admin | Deep work | Supervises nap/rest, quiet play | Tag-team: whoever has fewer calls handles nap chaos |
| 15:00-17:00 | Back to deep work | Emails, light tasks | Outdoor play, crafts, tidy up | Start prepping dinner if possible |
| 17:00-18:00 | Wrap up, hand off to Parent 2 | Family/dinner prep | Leaves 17:30 | Device-free, decompress |
Friday Variations
On Fridays, we stagger work to finish early—one of us takes the morning, the other the afternoon. The nanny only stays until 15:00. This lets us start the weekend earlier and handle any doctor’s appointments or errands.
Key Principles for Surviving (And Sometimes Thriving)
- Hand-offs are sacred: We do a five-minute sync at lunch and again at the end of the day to update on kid moods, deadlines, or anything weird (like the sudden appearance of glitter everywhere).
- Deep-work blocks: We each get at least one solid three-hour block every day for uninterrupted work. Phones off, Slack on Do Not Disturb.
- Lunch/nap windows aren’t just for kids: We use these for quick walks, power naps, or even a shared coffee—whatever keeps the adults functional.
- Emergency backups: If the nanny is out sick, we have two go-to backup babysitters on speed dial, plus a “disaster folder” with activities and screen time rules for days we just have to survive.
- Google Calendar is law: Every handoff, meeting, and “do not disturb” block is on a shared calendar. If it’s not there, it doesn’t exist.
Step-by-Step: Creating Your Own Schedule
- Map out everyone’s “must-have” work blocks: Start by blocking off meetings, deep work, and any non-negotiables for each adult.
- Overlay kids’ needs and nanny hours: Add nap times, meals, and play sessions. Don’t forget to schedule actual breaks for yourself.
- Decide on handoff points: These are your sacred moments—lunch, post-nap, end of workday. Communicate what needs attention at each handoff.
- Build in buffer time: Add 15–30 minutes between major blocks for the inevitable snack emergencies or last-minute calls.
- Create an emergency plan: List backup caregivers, activities, and what tasks can be punted if the day goes sideways.
- Automate reminders: Use shared calendars, alarms, or even sticky notes to keep everyone on track.
Downloadable Templates and Tools
- Weekly Schedule Template (Google Sheets): Download here
- Backup Plan Checklist (PDF): Download here
- Shared Google Calendar: Set up color-coded calendars for each adult, the nanny, and “family events”.
- Slack or WhatsApp group: For real-time status updates (“nap is a disaster, SOS”).
- Notion or Trello board: For ongoing tasks, grocery lists, and “things to fix once the kids are asleep”.
What’s Actually Worked—And What Hasn’t
I’ll be honest: not every week is pretty. One time, our backup babysitter called in sick and we both had critical meetings. The solution? I took a client call in a parked car with a bag of snacks, while my partner ran “indoor Olympics” with the kids. Did anyone love it? No. Did we survive? Barely. But having a written backup plan meant we knew exactly who was on damage control and who was on work triage.
The biggest win has been clarity. When you know who’s “on” and who’s “off,” you don’t resent each other for slacking or missing cues. And when the day goes off the rails (because it will), you have a playbook to fall back on.
*“A good schedule isn’t about perfection. It’s about having a system that bends without breaking when life gets weird.”*
Quick Checklist: Your Remote Family Schedule
- ☐ Block out deep-work hours for each parent
- ☐ Confirm nanny’s exact hours and duties
- ☐ Mark handoff points on a shared calendar
- ☐ Add buffer time for chaos
- ☐ Prepare emergency contacts and backup activities
- ☐ Review the week together every Sunday night
Useful Links & Tools
- Clockify – Free time tracker for work blocks
- Cozi Family Calendar – All-in-one family scheduling app
- Canva Schedule Templates – For printable and shareable timetables
- Trello – Visual task boards for family and work
- Nanny Lane – Find local backup care
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