Nanny meals - Help!
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Anonymous
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What do various families or nannies do for the nanny's breakfast, lunch or even dinner?
Do you bring your own breakfasts and lunches? Do you eat your family's food? Do you tell your family what foods to make sure and buy for you? Do you spend time preparing, cooking and eating your meals? Or do something fast and easy? thanks! |
Anonymous
| Our nannies bring their own food (with one nanny, we offered her the choice of eating whatever was on hand at the house, but she totally took advantage of that and even began taking food home with her--for $25 an hour I expected more, but live and learn). Our nanny does have one of our credit cards (in her name; we get the bill) and is welcome on the rare occasion when she takes the kids to lunch or dinner outside the house to also get lunch or dinner for herself. But otherwise, she brings her own stuff. My understanding from talking with others is that there is a great deal of variation on this issue. |
Anonymous
| I've been told at every single one of my jobs to eat whatever I wanted from their kitchen- obviously I don't take advantage of it and eat tons, but if I'm there all day I'll have lunch. If it's only morning or afternoon, I'll have a snack or 2. I see it as one of the perks of nannying, and I never eat the last of something or the single serving frozen meals (they probably have that set for a meal already) |
Anonymous
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All but one NF invited me to have whatever, and to add to their grocery list as needed.
Needless to say, you know who left a bad taste in my mouth. |
Anonymous
| I always bring my own lunch and snacks and it's been mixed with families inviting me to eat their food. I don't particularly care either way but I do like knowing I can help myself to a pbj if I forget my lunch or just didn't have anything quick and easy to bring for some reason. I also like it when they have little cans of coke in the fridge and don't mind if I occasionally have one. But mostly i bring my own things and have no expectation otherwise. |
Anonymous
| One work at home parent would ask me every day what I'd like for her to fix me for the next day. She was one of the best. |
Anonymous
| Most families I've worked for have had an open fridge policy. I pack my lunch most days, but will make a sandwich on occasion. I will also eat a snack occasionally (Fruit, cheese stick, some pretzels, etc.) I'm not making full meals for myself out of their kitchen, unless I'm working late and also cooking for the kids. |
Anonymous
I always bring my own food. Its more yummy compare to theirs !! 
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Anonymous
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we currently have a "help yourself" policy but it has gotten out of control.
Not because of costs (which are not insignificant) but because it has negatively affected quality of care and has become a PITA for me (shop and pick up nanny food). 1) she only makes herself "hot" lunches, so spends 30-60 minutes solely chopping up veg, chicken, salmon, boiling pastas, and then eats it. meanwhile, the toddler runs around the house and only gets Mac & Cheese or bread for lunch. 2) I find myself having to buy two sets of vegetables a week for her, plus protein (chicken, salmon, tofu). I try to buy bulk, section it out into freezer bags, but this is getting too tedious and we are extremely busy, because... 3) ...We have a new baby now and seeing our nanny neglect two children while she cooks herself a hot breakfast or big hot lunch and then sits on the counter stool eating it breaks my heart. I see it as much more professional to bring your own lunch, and if possible show up having eaten breakfast. There is a BIG difference between grabbing an apple or making quick sandwich once in awhile and focusing on the kids, VERSUS using their freezer supply of meats for your main meal of the day and focusing on yourself. |
Anonymous
Yep, we had this problem too, but it was wrapped up in larger problems of judgment and lack of perspective. Needless to say, we eventually moved on from her. |
Anonymous
This is such a weird thing to ask someone. How did you know what was on the menu to choose from? |
Anonymous
I had a nanny who did this, too, with the added bonus of leaving the dishes in the sink for me to wash before I could make dinner. She always "got too busy with the kids" to clean it up before I got home. When I stopped buying food for her, she started bringing the raw ingredients from home. We finally parted ways for other reasons, but there would not have been a second year with her. |
Anonymous
| I bring my own food but am also offered free range of the kitchen for anything I'd like. It works out because the kids always want to share my breakfast/lunch/dinner, and since I know there is other food I can eat I am happy to spoon out portions of my yogurt/oatmeal/stir fry for them. I am really surprised to hear how unprofessional some nannies are, expecting food purchases and the time to cook! If I were a new employer I'd probably tell the nanny to help herself to whatever she finds but would have a chat if she was using 30-60 minutes (not at naptime!) to cook. At which point I'd say, "Sophie, we are happy for you to continue eating whatever appeals to you but if you plan on cooking a hot meal please prepare it at home and heat it up here -- or cook it during naptime." |
Anonymous
this sounds ideal |
Anonymous
Exactly. It is stupid to think this is acceptable behavior, but given the rates many of these MBs pay, I'm not surprised. Communicate! |