I don't expect my bosses to buy me food and never would. I am allowed anything in their fridge and have a place to keep some things so I don't have to bring something every day. As long as nanny has a place to keep things that makes a huge difference and shows you respect her. Also my bosses do buy me little treats coffee or snacks they know I like. Again I don't expect them to do that but it's nice when they do just shows they care

I'm a nanny and I've always provided my own food/snacks. Most times my employers will tell me to help myself to whatever or one family offered to provide much but I've always declined. Not only do I decline for my specific dietary tastes but I'm an adult and cab provide those things god myself. There has been a few times were my DB used some of my tea or took a drink but he always replaced it within days. MB would always ask if I needed or want anything when going to the store or picking up food but I've always declined. Your nanny didnt ask so ignore MIL. She's an adult and is more than capable of providing her own snacks. The only thing I've asked from employers was if they could provide a little space for me to keep my food so I didn't have to bring daily.

OP did MIL just happen to notice she wasn't eating certain things, or was nanny complaining to her about it?

Anonymous wrote:Not only does my nanny expect me to buy her food, she expects me to prepare it for her. I think it's ridiculous. OP, nip this in the bud now.

there is nothing to nip in the bud since the nanny did not ask for special items to be purchased or prepared for her. MB was responding to MIL's comments. What is ridiculous is that she is making an issue out of a non existent situation.

Anonymous wrote:Not only does my nanny expect me to buy her food, she expects me to prepare it for her. I think it's ridiculous. OP, nip this in the bud now.

Why on earth do you do this?

Not only does my nanny expect me to buy her food, she expects me to prepare it for her. I think it's ridiculous. OP, nip this in the bud now.

Anonymous wrote:I have always brought my own breakfast and lunch foods, sometimes pre-made and sometimes ingredients.

Some fridge/pantry space for the nanny to stock her own items and picking up the occasional item that you notice she enjoys is all that is necessary.

I doubt she expects you to cater to her exact tastes nor would I make that assumption based on what your MIL said. Your post has some hints of resentment already though, you might want to check that.

I am in full agreement - you are responding a tad bit strongly to a suggestion made by your MIL and not a direct request from your nanny. Whilst you are asking for feedback, you have already decided what you will not do....

Our nanny usually brings her lunch, although she is welcome to eat anything she we have on hand for lunches. However, I don't buy anything special for her and have never asked her about her food preferences.

Your nanny didnt ask you to feed her, so why is this an issue? Ignore your MIL and keep on keepin on. I don't expect my employers to feed me, but appreciate when they stock some things for me.

I have always brought my own breakfast and lunch foods, sometimes pre-made and sometimes ingredients.

Some fridge/pantry space for the nanny to stock her own items and picking up the occasional item that you notice she enjoys is all that is necessary.

I doubt she expects you to cater to her exact tastes nor would I make that assumption based on what your MIL said. Your post has some hints of resentment already though, you might want to check that.

Live in or live out nanny?

Our live out nanny brings her own food and has space in the kitchen/fridge for whatever she wants to keep around the house. She uses things like butter, condiments, etc. but that's about it.

No you should never cater to picky eaters. That's ridiculous. If she had an allergy that would be different.

I've always been asked if I want them to stock anything specific but I have always declined and said thank you. Some people will still pick up some things they know I like and tell me they are there "just in case." it's a nice gesture that doesn't cost a lot.

Okay I am a nanny. I have never expected my employers to buy food for me.

I have always been welcome to eat anything they have .

Typically I bring my own things as I have a pretty distinct taste, and do not see the point in having my employers buy special foods for me.

However there are many nannies that feel differently and expect the employee to provide them with all their food favorites.

You could compromise and keep a snack you know she likes, but I do not think you need to have a separate grocery list just for her.

I'm a new MB. My mother in law just mentioned that my new nanny might be hard to "feed" since she has several food likes / dislikes, etc (my MIL is in town visiting this week and has been able to spend a lot of time with the nanny). I told my MIL that I Told the nanny that she is welcome to any food that we have in the house (or anything that I cook), but I have no intention on trying to cater to yet another persons food likes / dislikes / requests. My MIL suggested that it would be nice for me to pick up a few things that the nanny likes when I go grocery shopping

Please weigh in on what's "typical" re: the nanny and food. Do you try to include a few items specifically for the nanny even if the rest of the family does not eat those items?

Thanks!