dinner ideas for adult babysitter

[Anonymous]

we have an adult coming to sit for us tonight, directly for her day job, and she'll be here til late. I want to provide her with dinner.. and I can't get a hold of her to ask preferences. From my stand point, it needs to be 1) something I can make ahead 2) preferably something she doesn't have to heat up, but microwave is an option, 3 )easy for me to make because I'm short on time and cooking skills.

I'm totally blanking. Yes, I could do some sort of sandwhich, and yes, I could do pizza.. but I'd like to attempt something a little more, since she's really gonna have a long day. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Leave $20 and a few delivery menus plus instructions that the fridge and cabinet food is fair game. Our babysitter is a fulltime teacher, and this is what we do for her on school nights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Leave $20 and a few delivery menus plus instructions that the fridge and cabinet food is fair game. Our babysitter is a fulltime teacher, and this is what we do for her on school nights.

Yup. Same situation here, our babysitter is a teacher and come directly from work one Friday a month. I leave 20 bucks and take out menus. If there is any change I add it to her pay.

[Anonymous]

What are your kids eating? I used to cook for the kids I baby sat, but would have eaten the same thing as them if their parents had said it was okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Leave $20 and a few delivery menus plus instructions that the fridge and cabinet food is fair game. Our babysitter is a fulltime teacher, and this is what we do for her on school nights.

I've done both. I usually inform the sitter what food is available in the fridge and she is welcome to and also put $20 and takeout menus on the counter. The last two times, one had some rotisserie chicken and sides that we had for dinner and one ordered takeout. Rotisserie chicken and sides is usually a good option for many people, so it's easy to do. I get my chicken and cut it up into individual pieces then put them in a tupperware container. Add a side dish of rice or potatoes and a veggie like steamed broccoli or green beans and it makes a reasonable meal that is easy to self serve, make a plate and microwave it. Pretty neutral.

[Anonymous]

I don't have any suggestions, but I want to thank you OP for being considerate enough to ask this question. Very thoughtful of you.

[Anonymous]

Isn't $20 a bit much on top of what you're already paying her - which likely isn't that cheap given she's an adult? I'd say leave $10.

[Anonymous]

Box of mac & cheese, and salad. It's quick and easy for her to eat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't $20 a bit much on top of what you're already paying her - which likely isn't that cheap given she's an adult? I'd say leave $10.

The point is for her to get dinner as a perk for babysitting. $10 won't cover deliver dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't $20 a bit much on top of what you're already paying her - which likely isn't that cheap given she's an adult? I'd say leave $10.

many delivery places have a $10-12 minimum, or a $4-6 delivery charge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't $20 a bit much on top of what you're already paying her - which likely isn't that cheap given she's an adult? I'd say leave $10.

you probably don't get a lot of repeat babysitters do you?

I babysit a lot and have done so for years as a former teacher, we don't expect to get fed but it is really nice and almost everyone have have sat for offers. I think if someone left me not enough money to get delivery it would be worse than doing nothing at all- I couldn't order food without spending my own money, If I forgo ordering I am leaving your ten bucks on the counter, really would just come across as passive aggressive "didn't really want to feed you for coming to my house directly after work" so suck it up and deal kinda gesture...

[Anonymous]

^ and I will add, OP it is very nice of you to be thinking about this!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't $20 a bit much on top of what you're already paying her - which likely isn't that cheap given she's an adult? I'd say leave $10.

you probably don't get a lot of repeat babysitters do you?

I babysit a lot and have done so for years as a former teacher, we don't expect to get fed but it is really nice and almost everyone have have sat for offers. I think if someone left me not enough money to get delivery it would be worse than doing nothing at all- I couldn't order food without spending my own money, If I forgo ordering I am leaving your ten bucks on the counter, really would just come across as passive aggressive "didn't really want to feed you for coming to my house directly after work" so suck it up and deal kinda gesture...

+1

[Anonymous]

Like a PP, I also do a rotisserie chicken and sides. I also have a few frozen microwave meals- like a pizza and an Amy's meal - in the freezer in case the babysitter doesn't want chicken or is a vegetarian.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't $20 a bit much on top of what you're already paying her - which likely isn't that cheap given she's an adult? I'd say leave $10.

you probably don't get a lot of repeat babysitters do you?

I babysit a lot and have done so for years as a former teacher, we don't expect to get fed but it is really nice and almost everyone have have sat for offers. I think if someone left me not enough money to get delivery it would be worse than doing nothing at all- I couldn't order food without spending my own money, If I forgo ordering I am leaving your ten bucks on the counter, really would just come across as passive aggressive "didn't really want to feed you for coming to my house directly after work" so suck it up and deal kinda gesture...

You say you don't expect to be fed, but it sounds like you do. I don't get why babysitting is different or why it's relevant that you're a teacher; say you finished your teaching day and picked up a few shifts at Barnes & Noble -- would you expect a $20 meal there too? I'm fine with $10 or providing things like frozen pizza, leftovers, or even delivery pizza, but how is it my problem that you want to order a full meal from a restaurant? If it's SUCH a problem, pack a dinner or don't pick up jobs after work.