The Carffice
They fall asleep in the car. You’ve got 90 minutes, a laptop and nowhere to go. Here’s how to turn the driver’s seat into the best office in the country without waking anyone.
Nap time is office time.
The golden rule
You stay in the car. Every minute. Engine and aircon running, parked in the shade, never in a garage or anywhere enclosed. Cars in Australia heat up dangerously fast and a sleeping kid can’t tell you they’re cooking. Not worth it. Ever.
Time the drive to the nap
Start driving ten minutes before the nap window. By the time you’re on the highway they’re gone. Then find your spot and open the laptop.
Pick the right car park
Shade, a view, a toilet within sprinting distance and phone signal. Bonus points for a coffee van. Avoid anywhere with a car alarm going off every four minutes.
The steering wheel desk
A clip-on tray turns the wheel into a desk. Push the seat right back, recline a notch and you’ve got a better setup than half the offices in the CBD.
Power without killing the battery
Fast USB-C car charger for the laptop and phone. With the engine running you’re fine. Engine off and charging is how you end up asking a stranger for a jump start with a toddler on your hip.
Internet
Phone hotspot. Download anything big before you leave home. Country car parks can have one bar of signal and a lot of cows.
Calls without waking them
Headphones with one ear off so you can hear the back seat. Mute by default. Talk quietly. If they stir, the call is over. Your boss has kids too, probably.
Eyes on the back seat
A baby mirror on the rear headrest means you can check on them with a glance in the rear-view instead of twisting round like an owl.
Window shades
Shades on the back windows keep the sun off their face and the car cooler. Front sunshade up too if you’re parked facing the sun.
Snack and water for you
Your lunch, a coffee and water within reach. You can’t pop out to grab anything now. You live here for the next 90 minutes.
The wake-up plan
Have the next stop ready: a park, the beach or brekkie. They wake up somewhere fun instead of cranky in a car park. The Day-Maker’s car nap mode plans it for you.