Cost of food.

[Anonymous]

Hi Nannies and Parents,

I could use some advise. Our new nanny started around 6 weeks back, here's the situation; she will be bringing her son ( 8yrs old) to work from 8/31, he was accompanying her during the summer break too but was out for 3 weeks. He is a good, sweet kid so no problems there, although she will be dropping him first and then drop off my kids which is not my ideal scenario but i can deal with it.The problem is that our nanny and son with be eating breakfast at our home( she never brings her food), then for the rest if the day our nanny has her meals and snacks at our home. I am not a cheap person but this is taking a toll on our grocery budget. I shop all organic and I can't shop inorganic for her and her son, I simply can't put 2 types of food in my fridge. I am thinking I will ask her that I am happy to shop and provide food but I will be reducing weekly pay by 50.00, is this advisable or is there a better way to handling this without offending her and creating animosity. Many thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Is $10/day really that big of a deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is $10/day really that big of a deal?

I can see both sides of this. If the nanny is so great that you were willing to accommodate her son coming along, why not feed them, too.

On the other hand, that's a lot of food. I might suggest, instead, that you give her a food stipend and ask her to buy non-organic or whatever.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's that much. Is your budget that tight, or are you just being stingy? Your nanny knows the truth about that.

[Anonymous]

OP here: here's another thing. She is a very mediocre nanny, can't cook much for the life of her so I am not thrilled paying her for mediocre or less than mediocre services and food on top of that. Yes, 200/ month is a big deal when it's a mediocre nanny. That part kills me.

[Anonymous]

Decide if this is a hill you want to die on, OP. Denying food to her son does seem petty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: here's another thing. She is a very mediocre nanny, can't cook much for the life of her so I am not thrilled paying her for mediocre or less than mediocre services and food on top of that. Yes, 200/ month is a big deal when it's a mediocre nanny. That part kills me.

Where did you find her and why did you pick her?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: here's another thing. She is a very mediocre nanny, can't cook much for the life of her so I am not thrilled paying her for mediocre or less than mediocre services and food on top of that. Yes, 200/ month is a big deal when it's a mediocre nanny. That part kills me.

You have a mediocre nanny who also brings her 8 yr old to work? I don't even understand your post - won't the kid be going to school each day? Even if she just brings him in the morning and he's eating breakfast each day ONLY, there is no way an organic breakfast at your house is costing you $10 a day for him. But regardless, why don't you just get a kick-ass nanny who DOESN'T have to bring their own kid?

[Anonymous]

You find a new one. She should be supplying at least food for her son.

[Anonymous]

OP again, I think we may have to look for someone else. And, no I couldn't care about her son's breakfast, but she also eats, b'fast, lunch, snacks every day. Not to mention she used out washer and drier to wash her car mats. Who does that ??

My frustration is that why do nannies assume that food is part of the compensation package. I hate it when I open to fridge in the middle of the week and can't find food because its gone and no one bothered to inform me. Our previous nanny was a wonderful woman, we loved here and I never thought about food costs because she was exceptional and worth all the extras. Anyways, thank you for letting me vent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is $10/day really that big of a deal?

It's not a big deal at all if it's not your money.

[Anonymous]

OP you need a new nanny stat. In meanwhile just ask your nanny to bring her own food & snacks and show her pantry/fridge a space where she can keep it. Tell her she can't eat your food as its not in your budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's that much. Is your budget that tight, or are you just being stingy? Your nanny knows the truth about that.

You are so clueless. Unless the nanny is also taking care of OP's finances which I highly doubt

[Anonymous]

You should address the other issues where you are not satisfied with your nanny, OP, and let go of the "food thing". It does make you look petty.

Nannies generally eat at our homes because, unlike office workers, they cannot go out to lunch or have a real lunch hour.

[Anonymous]

Okay, but who are all these nannies who are eating SO MUCH FOOD every week that it is breaking someone else's food budget? And I've never heard of a nanny not eating breakfast before they get to work.