Who prepares/cooks meals?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had the same nanny for all our DD's life (5 years). When DD was an infant, she brought her own lunch and ate while DD napped. She continued to bring her own food until DD was an older toddler.

At some point, we had a conversation about how to handle food. I asked if she wanted me to prepare something ahead of time (DD was really into bento style snacking, so I could just pack a bento box for her lunch), but our nanny said she liked it when they prepared lunch together.

From then on, I asked her to just make a list of things she wanted for them and I would get everything they need or want. I also reminded her that she can eat anything she wants or include it on the list. We have never had a single problem with the food situation. Our relationship has evolved over the years and now she feels free enough to take DD out shopping if they have an unplanned urge to cook something and we have petty cash available for her to do that.

Also, a totally unexpected treat is that occasionally, since my DD and nanny both enjoy cooking is that I have been surprised with dinner from my two favorite chefs. I haven't been feeling well this week and came home yesterday to homemade chicken soup.

Our nanny is a complete treasure in a thousand ways and if she wanted an avocado every day, I would buy them.

You treasure your nanny and she's the only one your 5 year old child has had.

Every MB here should connect the dots.

Blessings to you all.

[Anonymous]

With both of the families where I was asked to cook for the kids rather than reheat or do frozen stuff, I cooked for all of us and ate with them. I usually cooked something from what was available, and occasionally would ask the parents to buy something if we were making something special, or picked it up myself with petty cash money.

I think you're right, OP, it does a lot of good to do proper sit down mealtimes, kids do eat better, we're able to have more grown up conversations that do not revolve around toys or not sharing thereof, they learn by example from my good table manners and it is a nice break up of the day for all involved.

When you have your new nanny and are able to better communicate with her, I think you should do a general 'intro to meal prep' talk: tell her she's welcome to use anything in the fridge and pantry (if she is - or designate a shelf with stuff you don't want her to use and make sure to keep those things there), ask her to finish opened things before getting more, limit the use of something to one a day or whatever, give her any rules you've got in a 'I'm sure you know this, but just to make sure' kind of way. This way it doesn't come off as if you're telling her to not eat your yoghurt but still gives her some boundaries. Give her a few ideas of what you want your kids to eat. One of my DBs was very helpful in giving me a list of foods that were fairly easy to make and the kids liked.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

And to add to the meal talk - ask the new nanny to write down anything she finishes on the grocery list. Keep it by the fridge, so when she uses the last of ketchup or whatever, she can quickly jot it down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had the same nanny for all our DD's life (5 years). When DD was an infant, she brought her own lunch and ate while DD napped. She continued to bring her own food until DD was an older toddler.

At some point, we had a conversation about how to handle food. I asked if she wanted me to prepare something ahead of time (DD was really into bento style snacking, so I could just pack a bento box for her lunch), but our nanny said she liked it when they prepared lunch together.

From then on, I asked her to just make a list of things she wanted for them and I would get everything they need or want. I also reminded her that she can eat anything she wants or include it on the list. We have never had a single problem with the food situation. Our relationship has evolved over the years and now she feels free enough to take DD out shopping if they have an unplanned urge to cook something and we have petty cash available for her to do that.

Also, a totally unexpected treat is that occasionally, since my DD and nanny both enjoy cooking is that I have been surprised with dinner from my two favorite chefs. I haven't been feeling well this week and came home yesterday to homemade chicken soup.

Our nanny is a complete treasure in a thousand ways and if she wanted an avocado every day, I would buy them.

The security and love this nanny has given your child for five years is immeasurable. I am so happy to see someone appreciating their nanny.

My best friend has had the same nanny for his children for nearly ten years now and his kids are truly amazing, happy, secure and loving little beings. It is so rare that one family has one nanny for so long. And yes - the evolution of her job is quite profound from being a caring for a newborn to caring for a ten year old and a seven year old.

[Anonymous]

I make my charges meals from scratch every day and he lights up in the grocery store when he sees an avocado!

I don't really understand your situation, OP, but if you do start looking for a new nanny, I think an American nanny might be a better fit for you. Discuss exactly what you expect from her in terms of cooking (and even eating) with your child and learn to let go of the little things. Seriously, who cares about an avocado a day?

[Anonymous]

I get it OP, you know that the food thin isn't -the- problem, but you also know that it has been -a- problem--so you want to guage how folks normally handle it.

I am a nanny who loves to cook and tries to feed my charges only healthy, whole foods. I eat alongside the kids. I either buy my own ingredients to contribute (e.g., plan to serve salad a few times that week and bring in dressing and some topping and just ask NF to buy lettuce and veggies), or I have only a snack-sized amount and supplement later with something from home (e.g., make an omelet and have a few token bites with DCs, then eat a bar later during naptime).

[Anonymous]

I eat an avocado a day because its a healthy superfood!

With that being said, I was always told to eat whatever I wanted but I always bring my own food. Sometimes I might make a tea but that's the extent. I eat while my charge naps. Sometimes I may have a snack while he does but its what I purchase.

I cook super healthy for my charge. I started with homemade babyfood and now cook things like quinoa, oats, brown rice, eggs, vegan pancakes, etc. MB usually gets all he needs when she shops but sometimes I pick up supplies we are low on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With both of the families where I was asked to cook for the kids rather than reheat or do frozen stuff, I cooked for all of us and ate with them. I usually cooked something from what was available, and occasionally would ask the parents to buy something if we were making something special, or picked it up myself with petty cash money.

I think you're right, OP, it does a lot of good to do proper sit down mealtimes, kids do eat better, we're able to have more grown up conversations that do not revolve around toys or not sharing thereof, they learn by example from my good table manners and it is a nice break up of the day for all involved.

When you have your new nanny and are able to better communicate with her, I think you should do a general 'intro to meal prep' talk: tell her she's welcome to use anything in the fridge and pantry (if she is - or designate a shelf with stuff you don't want her to use and make sure to keep those things there), ask her to finish opened things before getting more, limit the use of something to one a day or whatever, give her any rules you've got in a 'I'm sure you know this, but just to make sure' kind of way. This way it doesn't come off as if you're telling her to not eat your yoghurt but still gives her some boundaries. Give her a few ideas of what you want your kids to eat. One of my DBs was very helpful in giving me a list of foods that were fairly easy to make and the kids liked.

Good luck!

OP here. Thank you. This is very helpful.

[Anonymous]

If you are expecting your nanny to actually cook, rather than simply heat up food for your child, then it would only be polite to let her eat whatever she cooks as well.

But that doesn't necessarily mean she has full access to your whole kitchen.

I would just think she would just eat what she actually cooks and perhaps some fruit or snacks and that is it.

My nanny families always tell me to help myself to anything in the kitchen, but I am kinda funny about eating other people's food.

I may eat a banana or munch on some crackers if the child does, but I mostly finish what the child doesn't and I bring my own lunch. And I NEVER finish up anything such as drink the last of the milk or eat the last cracker or banana.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op clarified the situation the main problem is a language barrier not the food.

Did the nanny speak fluent English when OP hired her and overtime the language skill has deteriorated? OP hired her because she was cheap, probably illegal, and now OP is upset because the nanny has a language problem?! What did OP expect?

Newsflash OP. You get what you pay for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op clarified the situation the main problem is a language barrier not the food.

Did the nanny speak fluent English when OP hired her and overtime the language skill has deteriorated? OP hired her because she was cheap, probably illegal, and now OP is upset because the nanny has a language problem?! What did OP expect?

Newsflash OP. You get what you pay for.

+1,000,000. Happens ALL the time.