Do you allow your nanny help youself with some food in your house?

[Anonymous]

I'm just started a new full time job position; after have finished with my previous family for 3 years. With my previos family I was always welcome to help myself with everything in the fridge. Food, snacks,drinks. But I always preferred to bring my own lunch, no problem with that. Also was welcome to have snacks there like crakers or maybe a fruit. This new family is very nice but I do still feel a little weird since they don't offer or tell me "help yourself" at least with a snack it maybe during the long day I feel like eatting a little bite or so. Maybe I find this strange as it's the first time when I don't feel like I am welcome to have at least a little snack there. I am wrong? Or maybe is just different this family?.

[Anonymous]

Some people don't think like that. Bring food.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here.

You should know by now that all familes aren't alike.

This family just doesn't realize this is a nice perk they could give you by saying you can help yourself to drinks or snacks.
Maybe they're nice in other ways.

I'd let it go and not expect anything.
Just ask if you can use a separate cupboard to store your own snacks.

They don't have to feed you so stop being upset.

[Anonymous]

You just started a new position, and this is going to come across as “can I eat your food, because I don’t feel like bringing my own food.” Basically, you’ll come across as having bad judgement. Also, it comes across as a request from a teenage babysitter would make.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I have always been told to help myself to whatever I wanted. But I always bring my own lunch anyway because I’m a vegetarian and a health-nut. My little charge is welcome to whatever I bring as I eat lunch with him.

[Anonymous]

Sure, I’ve always been told to eat whatever I want but the chef makes the staff lunch everyday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here.

You should know by now that all familes aren't alike.

This family just doesn't realize this is a nice perk they could give you by saying you can help yourself to drinks or snacks.
Maybe they're nice in other ways.

I'd let it go and not expect anything.
Just ask if you can use a separate cupboard to store your own snacks.

They don't have to feed you so stop being upset.

Thank you for your advice. No, I am not upset at all. I was jus curious. It just that I feel this a little weird. Since with all my former families I was always offered to welcome to grab at least a fruit. I just think it would be very ncie of the family to say it when you work for them.

[Anonymous]

Food is always provided for any employee who cannot leave the employ for meals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You just started a new position, and this is going to come across as “can I eat your food, because I don’t feel like bringing my own food.” Basically, you’ll come across as having bad judgement. Also, it comes across as a request from a teenage babysitter would make.

I always like to bring my lunch and no expected to be feed with lunch ny them. Probably I just think would be nice from them making me feel more welcome. Thank your for your advice.

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course, our nanny is welcome to eat whatever she wants in our home.

As stated above, guys, this is customary when any employee can’t leave for lunch. You either have certain food for them or invite them to help themselves.

[Anonymous]

Well, I guess I look at it this way. They may not know this is a customary perk. It would be rude of you to state that it’s expected or ask if you’re allowed. OTOH, if you ask for a portion of the shelf in the cupboard for crackers as other snacks, decent space for your lunch, fruit and water in the fridge and emphasize that you will not be sharing with your charge, they may decide to offer. Then again, they may think that asking for space is overreaching too, which means they really aren’t as nice as you thought.

[Anonymous]

Our old nanny had a specific diet so she always brought food. I did ask what snacks she liked and got some and she was welcome to any fruit etc.
the new nanny asked 2 days in if food was provided because she was used to that. I was surprised but I don't care so we said it was and she helps herself to whatever and I just let her know if we are saving something for dinner.

[Anonymous]

I have been a nanny for ten years . I have always been told to help myself. I pack my lunch so usually would just grab a drink or banana occasionally. It is nice to have the option and be offered if I forget my lunch etc but I would by no means be upset if my new family I start with in August doesn’t offer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been a nanny for ten years . I have always been told to help myself. I pack my lunch so usually would just grab a drink or banana occasionally. It is nice to have the option and be offered if I forget my lunch etc but I would by no means be upset if my new family I start with in August doesn’t offer.

Read above guys. This doesn't upset me. I was just curious as all my former experiences have been different than this time. Thank you all for your advices.

[Anonymous]

I get it Op.

Some people/families are just really friendly and welcoming people. They are usually very appreciative of someone coming in and taking care of their kids. They truly understand the job a nanny is doing and want to make sure their nanny is comfortable and valued.

Every family/person is of course different. For me, it would raise an eyebrow and I wouldn’t expect much from the family in general (but this has just been my experience). The last time I met a family like this I left after about 3 months. It just wasn’t a fit.