Pretend you can't cook
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Anonymous
| Any other nannies out there who pretend they can't cook? I make it clear in the interview I can do basic cooking, but not adult type meals. MB's in the past have tried to make me cook family meals, hors doeurvs for parties, home made soup, protein bars for them not the kids etc. so I usually mess up the recipes on purpose, and the job creep with no extra pay stopped. I've been at each of my jobs 3+ years so I'm not getting fired or not hired at interviews for my lack of 'skills' in the kitchen. I just think this avoids a ton of extra unpaid work, I'm pretty happy!! Anyone else? |
Anonymous
I can cook, but I'm a vegetarian... Either way that doesn't matter because I don't cook family meals. Nor do I do house cleaning. My duties are strictly limited to childcare... I'd really hate to have to cook for parents... trying to make things that taste good with variety and what not... I'm into nannying for the childcare alone... I'm not an all-in-one nanny, 
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Anonymous
| I will happily cook meals so that the whole family can sit down to dinner together BUT, I make it clear up front that while family dinners have proven benefits to the kids, gourmet meals don't. I will have a balanced dinner on the table every night when MB gets home. If she wants something particular or wants more variety or is on a crazy diet then she can pick at the dinner and make herself something after kids are in bed. |
Anonymous
| Most nannies want to be nannies and some want to be a personal chef to. I actually got the certification just for kicks cause I thought it'd be fun. But I don't do it on my nanny job. Any cooking I do is strictly for, or with the child... when I get inspired. I prefer to give my charge the healthiest possible meals. That's enough for me to want to do whatever it takes. |
Anonymous
| I can cook. I don't cook at my job because I'm not confident enough in preparing food to serve it to my employers AND because I am terrible slow and use a trillion pots and pans, so occupying the kids while I both cook and clean the dishes would be impossible (and unfair to them). |
Anonymous
| I'm a great cook and I love cooking for my bosses. They appreciate it. |
Anonymous
A smart, professional nanny would set guidelines. If you can cook, tell them, but also let them know that cooking for families, holidays, occasions, etc will require extra compensation. Instead of just lying to avoid anything 'above and beyond'.. Are you the same nanny who steals towels and items without feeling bad because you believe you should be getting paid more money? |
Anonymous
| OP is obviously a low paid nanny so her employers should have lower expectations. Not saying she needs to cook but if I was getting paid way over market rate then I'd cook with a giant smile on my face. If I was getting paid anything under $15 then boss can cook her own meals. |
Anonymous
+1 I can cook and I don't lie about my ability to do so. However, I make in clear in the interview process that I do not cook family meals. Perhaps if they were to offer me a very high paying position.... |
Anonymous
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Rather than being a liar, OP, why don't you negotiate your contract honestly and clarify your duties with your employers?
Sooner or later, you will be found out. Then, you will be fired. Not because you can't cook, but because you are dishonest. |
Anonymous
| i dont have to pretend. i am a bad cook. |
Anonymous
+1 I mean I can boil water etc. and make basic things with recipe but I am not confident enough cooking for the parents either. |
Anonymous
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During my interview I was very clear, I don't cook for grown ups. They were fine with with it (I was hired!) but then fast forward a few weeks, she would txt me during the day "ohh could you please have ravioli ready for 7pm, thanks" and things of the sort. Until one time she asked me to cook something from scratch (I forget what) and I told her, listen, I am sorry but my husband is the cook in my house, I really don't feel comfortable cooking like we discussed on my interview and I really rather be focusing on the children, their laundry, ccleaning up after their dinner etc....
Every once in a while she'll still ask me to boil some eggs but never to cook a meal! |
Anonymous
+2 My 4-year-old charge told me a few months ago, "You know, maybe it would be better if I made us lunch". |
Anonymous
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My nanny does some prep for family meals. We are able to eat dinner on time because the veggies are already chopped, the meat already seasoned - or whatever steps need to be taken. We appreciate her doing that.
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