Two Remote Parents, Two Kids, One Nanny: Daily Routine
If you’ve ever tried to juggle two full-time remote jobs, two young kids, and the logistics of hiring a nanny, you know it’s less of a balancing act and more of a circus. My partner and I are both senior software engineers, which means we’re on calls or deep in code most days, all while our energetic kids bounce off the walls of Airbnb apartments in different time zones. For us, hiring a nanny wasn’t just a luxury—it was survival. Here’s how we structure our days, the tools we use, and what actually works (and doesn’t) in the real world.
Our Situation: Two Jobs, Two Kids, One Nanny
*Context*: Both parents working remotely, two kids under five, and a nanny who’s with us during the workweek. We travel every 3-6 months, so the setup has to be portable, flexible, and as stress-proof as possible.
Our goals:
- Block off focused work time for each parent
- Make sure the kids get attention, play, and learning time
- Give the nanny clear tasks and a structure to follow
- Stay (somewhat) sane
“You need a plan, but you also need to be ready to tear up that plan by 9:15am.” (Me, after the third breakfast spill of the week)
Sample Daily Routine: Real Timetable
Here’s what a typical weekday looks like for us. (The times shift a bit depending on where we are, but the structure stays the same.)
| Time | Parent 1 | Parent 2 | Nanny | Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00-8:00 | Breakfast & play | Emails, quick tasks | Arrives, reviews plan | Breakfast, cartoons |
| 8:00-12:00 | Coding / Calls | Parenting break, then work | Outdoor play, crafts, snacks | Play, outings |
| 12:00-1:00 | Lunch with kids | Lunch with kids | Preps lunch, cleans up | Lunch, nap prep |
| 1:00-3:00 | Deep work block | Meetings | Nap time, light chores | Nap/quiet time |
| 3:00-5:00 | Emails, code review | Project work | Park, reading, sensory play | Outdoor play |
| 5:00-6:00 | Wrap up work, check-in with nanny | Wrap up work | Prepares to leave, handoff notes | Screen time, wind down |
Biggest Challenges—and What Actually Helps
Challenge #1: Interruptions
No matter how good your plan is, kids will decide to have a meltdown, or a meeting will go over. *Our fix*: We use shared Google Calendars with “do not disturb” blocks. When one of us is in a crunch, the other is on backup kid duty (even if it’s just for 15 minutes).
Challenge #2: Nanny Communication
We learned the hard way that “just go with the flow” does not work. Now, we use a simple shared checklist in Notion for the nanny: activities, meals, naps, and any reminders (like “don’t forget the sunscreen!”). It keeps everyone aligned, especially when routines change in a new place.
Challenge #3: Keeping Kids Engaged
Screen time is tempting, but too much comes back to bite us. We rotate activity bins (small bags of toys/books/crafts) and try to get the kids outside every morning. Even a 20-minute walk helps burn off the wildest energy.
“Our best mornings? When the nanny takes the kids to a local bakery for a ‘snack adventure’. Everyone wins: kids get out, we get peace, the bakery wonders why we’re back for the third time this week.”
Quick Checklist to Keep the Day Running
- Create a shared digital calendar (Google Calendar, Fantastical)
- Set focus blocks for meetings and deep work
- Write a daily nanny checklist (Notion, Trello, or even a whiteboard)
- Prep snacks and lunch the night before—seriously, it saves the day
- Rotate toys & activities every few days
- Add a daily outdoor activity—weather or not
- Review tomorrow’s plan every evening (5 min max)
Tools We Swear By
- Google Calendar — Shared across all adults, color-coded for meetings, focus time, and family blocks
- Notion — Daily checklists for the nanny, activity ideas, grocery lists
- Slack — Yes, we have a “home” Slack channel for quick updates (“Kids are wild, please bring coffee”)
- White noise machine — For naptime sanity, especially in new Airbnbs
- Spotify — Playlists for dance breaks and calming-down moments
- Local WhatsApp/Telegram groups — For playdate intel in new cities
Real Numbers and What to Expect
We pay our nanny $18-25/hour, depending on location and experience. Most nannies work 30-35 hours/week. With taxes, this is roughly $600–$900/week. We usually budget an extra $50/week for kid activities and supplies—museums, art supplies, or just more snack food.
*Pro tip*: Always ask local parents or expat forums for going nanny rates before you arrive in a new city. It saves awkward negotiations later.
A Few Things We Learned the Hard Way
- Always have a backup plan for sick days (both for kids and nanny)
- Don’t overschedule—leave room for chaos
- Rotate “who does bedtime” to avoid burnout
- Keep a running list of local indoor activities for bad weather
- Give your nanny real feedback, not just “thanks” (but do say thanks!)
In the end, the routine is less about the “perfect” schedule and more about giving everyone—kids, parents, nanny—a sense of what’s next. Most days, something will go sideways. That’s fine. The point is to keep moving, laugh a little, and remember why you’re doing this whole wild remote-life thing in the first place.
If you’re trying to build your own system, start small. Test what works for your family, your work, and your sanity. And don’t forget to celebrate the little wins—like drinking a hot coffee before 10am. That, my friends, is remote parenting success.
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