Nanny complains about our lunch meals - what do you think?

[Anonymous]

For lunch, we usually have beans and rice, chicken with rice, angel hair pasta with red sauce, or macaroni with pesto. Keep in mind that DD is 1 1/2 and will not eat sandwiches or many other things, so I kind of cook with her in mind. Also, nanny is from central america and wont eat sandwiches for lunch.

Today, nanny refused to eat lunch (not in a mean way), complaining that she cannot eat beans and rice or pasta today because that's all she eats. I asked her in the past what she'd prefer and all she can come up with is chicken. When I ask her what she ate for dinner it's usually eggs, cereal, and rarely beef or pasta. I also note that she gets most of her groceries free with food stamps. She also goes clothes/toys/home shopping every single weekend and wears new clothes almost everyday, so I don't think money is the issue here. Honestly, I don't have the money to be cooking her a beef or chicken dinner everyday for lunch (I cook all our lunches homemade), and even if I did have that kind of $$$, DD cannot eat a dinner essentially twice a day because the nanny wants to go home and not cook anything or not buy meat for dinner I guess. I suppose I do not necessarily know her entire life circumstance because I don't have a cam on her when she leaves, but this quadry is getting frustrating and she has no ideas as to what to do for lunch other than beef or chicken.

What's your opinion? I'm open to everyone's non-snarky thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Buy some luncheon meat and bread, a few cans of Campbells soup, and some Lean Cuisines for the freezer, and let her know on days she doesn't prefer what you make, she's welcome to make her own.

[Anonymous]

I think you need a new nanny...

[Anonymous]

You have a nanny, you're home when the nanny is there, and she's on food stamps? Something is wrong here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For lunch, we usually have beans and rice, chicken with rice, angel hair pasta with red sauce, or macaroni with pesto. Keep in mind that DD is 1 1/2 and will not eat sandwiches or many other things, so I kind of cook with her in mind. Also, nanny is from central america and wont eat sandwiches for lunch.

Today, nanny refused to eat lunch (not in a mean way), complaining that she cannot eat beans and rice or pasta today because that's all she eats. I asked her in the past what she'd prefer and all she can come up with is chicken. When I ask her what she ate for dinner it's usually eggs, cereal, and rarely beef or pasta. I also note that she gets most of her groceries free with food stamps. She also goes clothes/toys/home shopping every single weekend and wears new clothes almost everyday, so I don't think money is the issue here. Honestly, I don't have the money to be cooking her a beef or chicken dinner everyday for lunch (I cook all our lunches homemade), and even if I did have that kind of $$$, DD cannot eat a dinner essentially twice a day because the nanny wants to go home and not cook anything or not buy meat for dinner I guess. I suppose I do not necessarily know her entire life circumstance because I don't have a cam on her when she leaves, but this quadry is getting frustrating and she has no ideas as to what to do for lunch other than beef or chicken.

What's your opinion? I'm open to everyone's non-snarky thoughts.

Maybe money is not an issue, because she skips out on meals in order to pay for other material things? Why can't she bring her own packed lunch? I didn't think it was your job to nanny-well, the nanny.

[Anonymous]

I would never complain about any lunch that was provided to me for free. the fact that your nanny does would raise a major ted flag to me. Our nanny has always brought her own lunch. So have any temps we've had while she's been away. Your nanny seems entitled. It starts with lunch but I will bet it won't be long before she complains about other things (like her pay).

[Anonymous]

Wait -- why is your nanny on food stamps????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait -- why is your nanny on food stamps????

It's called gaming the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never complain about any lunch that was provided to me for free. the fact that your nanny does would raise a major ted flag to me. Our nanny has always brought her own lunch. So have any temps we've had while she's been away. Your nanny seems entitled. It starts with lunch but I will bet it won't be long before she complains about other things (like her pay).

This. I'm a nanny and the idea of complaining about a lunch generously provided to me for free is baffling to me. In your shoes, I would politely let her know that if she doesn't like what you make for lunch that she is welcome to bring her own lunch. Your/her job is to see that your daughter is fed and that means cooking food that is good for her and that she will eat.

[Anonymous]

I find her behavior a little entitled, since it does not seem to relate to a health issue, which would be justifiable. Did the contract spell out who provided for meals? You can always suggest to her that she bring her own food, if she cannot eat the one you prepare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait -- why is your nanny on food stamps????

It's called gaming the system.

Which makes OP complicit. Either she's paying the nanny off the books (shame on you, OP, if so) or she pays her too poorly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait -- why is your nanny on food stamps????

It's called gaming the system.

Why is it gaming the system? Imagine living on less than $40k/year in this area with children to clothe and feed. Using food stamps to pay for food frees up some money for other material goods. As for buying new clothes and other things, I don't think being a poor manager of your finances precludes you from qualifying for food stamps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait -- why is your nanny on food stamps????

It's called gaming the system.

Which makes OP complicit. Either she's paying the nanny off the books (shame on you, OP, if so) or she pays her too poorly.

Seriously -- what is going on here? I would be horrified if my Nanny had to use food stamps!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find her behavior a little entitled, since it does not seem to relate to a health issue, which would be justifiable. Did the contract spell out who provided for meals? You can always suggest to her that she bring her own food, if she cannot eat the one you prepare.

Or maybe she's sick of rice and pasta? So many carbs, maybe she just doesn't want it? She isn't a child she can eat what she wants.

[Anonymous]

I'm really confused by your post - are you home and making the lunches during the day or is the nanny complaining at the end of the day that she didn't like what you provided?

Either way, she's free to bring her own lunch if she doesn't like what you've prepared. Rice and beans is a nutritious meal that's enjoyed daily in many parts of the world and it's a perk that you provide this to her.