Nanny food

[Anonymous]

We are first time parents and will be having a nanny. I usually plan out our meals exactly for the week and buy only the food we need and some snacks. I am not sure how to handle this with our new nanny.... I don't want her to eat things that I have planned out for our meals but I don't want to tell her not to eat anything! Should I just buy extra stuff or??? How should I handle this?

[Anonymous]

I think there is already another thread just a few below yours that has all the discussion you need about "food for nanny". There are certainly many more that you could search for.

People have many opinions on this, some thinking that you should offer some basic snack and drinks for her, or at least offer shelf space in a cabinet and fridge for her own foods (to bring daily or for the whole week on her first day of work that week). Offer what you feel comfortable with but also know that you do not need to feed her for breakfast, lunch and dinner either. You can also ask that she just brings her own food totally.

[Anonymous]

Let her know you keep limited food and ask for a list that you can get her some stuff when you shop.

[Anonymous]

Just let her know up front so there's no awkwardness or resentment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just let her know up front so there's no awkwardness or resentment

+1

I'm a nanny and I always bring it up with families when we're drawing up our contract so we're all on the same page. As long as you're clear and she knows what your expectations are going in it shouldn't be a problem.

Let her know that although you do keep some food in the house you plan your meals very specifically and don't keep extra food in the house. Tell her that she is always welcome to have XYZ (a piece of fruit, a soda from the fridge, a handful of chips - these are the kinds of things I don't think you should begrudge her) but that she'll need to provide her own meals. Professional nannies won't even bat an eye at that, it's a very common expectation.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure there are some nannies who would not want to touch your food, so you really have to discuss it with her. It may be a non issue.

Do you have enough separate refrigerator and cabinet space for her? You can give her a separate meals-while-working stipend.

[Anonymous]

Just make it clear that you expect her to bring her lunch because you only have snacks available for her. And give her some cabinet and fridge space for herself.

[Anonymous]

I'm a nanny and I really don't understand the issue here. Multiple threads about nannies and food this week. It's not an employers job to provide us with food. Almost every family I've worked for has told me to help myself to whatever is in their kitchen and to make myself feel at home. Honestly, I feel weird eating their food. I bring my own lunches and snacks. Occasionally I'll make myself an cup of coffee or have a piece of fruit (mainly because the baby won't eat it and I don't believe in wasting food). Some families are very generous and tell their nannies to add items they want to the grocery list, while others don't want the nannies eating their food at all.

OP- let your new nanny know you will not be providing food for her as you meal plan each week and only buy what's needed for your family. If the nanny doesn't understand, she isn't a good fit for you.

[Anonymous]

OP, there is no right or wrong on this. You will find posters that say it's the "norm" to do one thing or another, but there is no "norm." There is what you are comfortable with - there is only the service YOU are asking for and the compensation YOU are willing to provide for that service (free food all day is most definitely part of compensation).

Of the nanny moms I know, all of them say upfront that their nanny is welcome to help themselves to a snack or drink or eat what she is feeding the kids, and here is a place for you to put your lunch every day. Nanny typically brings enough food for herself for the day and perhaps has some juice or a soda or eats a PB&J with the kids. I had never heard of offering a live-out nanny free range of the kitchen, let alone adding things to a grocery list. Not saying it's not done, but don't be convinced that is at all normal.

But either way, just be upfront when you are interviewing. You can let her know that you are not including food as part of the deal and you expect her to bring her own, but that she is welcome to help herself to a drink or snack.

[Anonymous]

Give her a food stipend if she has to eat on the job.

[Anonymous]

Search the forum, there are about 10 threads that cover this topic. There is not consensus among nannies or MB's and there are many, many ways to approach this. Factor in how many hours she will be in your home and the ages/dietary needs of your children. Then talk to her (amazing concept!) and see what she was thinking.

Like most posters have agreed, an "open pantry" policy is usually the norm but be clear that this is for snacks or emergency meals only, have nanny plan on bringing her breakfast and/or lunch every day, and leave her room in the fridge and pantry to stock a few items for herself. If you are worried about her eating specific items, label them or have a designated "for dinner only" food section in your food storage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm sure there are some nannies who would not want to touch your food, so you really have to discuss it with her. It may be a non issue.

Do you have enough separate refrigerator and cabinet space for her? You can give her a separate meals-while-working stipend.

Did you talk with her yet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a nanny and I really don't understand the issue here. Multiple threads about nannies and food this week. It's not an employers job to provide us with food. Almost every family I've worked for has told me to help myself to whatever is in their kitchen and to make myself feel at home. Honestly, I feel weird eating their food. I bring my own lunches and snacks. Occasionally I'll make myself an cup of coffee or have a piece of fruit (mainly because the baby won't eat it and I don't believe in wasting food). Some families are very generous and tell their nannies to add items they want to the grocery list, while others don't want the nannies eating their food at all.

OP- let your new nanny know you will not be providing food for her as you meal plan each week and only buy what's needed for your family. If the nanny doesn't understand, she isn't a good fit for you.

+1 I think you should tell her that she is welcome to make space in the fridge or pantry as well as use basic supplies such as milk, butter, ketchup, etc.

[Anonymous]

When my current employer was interviewing me she just asked how good would work, if I usually bring my food or not. I like to bring my own meals, which I told her, and I think that was the answer she was looking forward to. I think if you have a good nanny candidate she will be very accepting of bringing her own food. Groceries aren't cheap, and I just feel like it's awkward to eat sometime else's food! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Give her a food stipend if she has to eat on the job.

This seems ridiculous to me. I work 50 hours a week, my employer doesn't pay me for my breakfast, my lunch, or my dinner if I have to work late. And they certainly don't provide my snacks. Why is a nanny position different?