Anonymous wrote:I will be sitting for a new family tonight (NYE) from 7pm-4am. Is it ok to ask if a dinner allowance will be provided?

If you were sitting for me, I would tell you to help yourself to anything in the fridge, but I wouldn't do anything specifically for you. I don't expect you to stay up until 4 am, and if you're starting at 7 pm, my assumption is that you ate already.

Anonymous wrote:No, you are a professional. Bring your food or eat what is offered in the house.

She’s a sitter, not a nanny. You don’t know that’s she’s a professional.

Anonymous wrote:I would never ask a family if dinner is provided.
I can eat before I go or bring something.
Usually families will say you can help yourself, which is nice but not mandatory.
Be a grown up and don't ask for food, it's rude.

Eff that. I’ve had families that ask me to work from 5-midnight and still don’t provide me with food. Or buy a medium pizza for me and two kids. That isn’t enough food! Buy some damn food for your sitter.

I would never ask a family if dinner is provided.
I can eat before I go or bring something.
Usually families will say you can help yourself, which is nice but not mandatory.
Be a grown up and don't ask for food, it's rude.

Just curious because I have never sat for someone past 1am. Were you expected to stay awake? Or did you spend the night?

Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up eating something before I got there.

If they offer, that would be great.

But since you start at 7PM - they may have assumed that you already ate prior to arrival.
So they may say you are welcome to anything in the kitchen.

If you haven’t eaten dinner yet, I suggest that you bring your own.

I find it tacky to ask any family I babysit for to provide me w/dinner.

If you're not getting there until 7pm, why wouldn't you eat before you go?

Hello bring your own food!!

- nanny

No, you are a professional. Bring your food or eat what is offered in the house.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will be sitting for a new family tonight (NYE) from 7pm-4am. Is it ok to ask if a dinner allowance will be provided?

Absolutely. It would never occur to me not to offer dinner and I mean a good dinner, not pizza! You should have negotiated this in the beginning.

OP here- it’s actually a last minute booking. Their sitter cancelled on them. I booked with them right when I posted this.

Anonymous wrote:I will be sitting for a new family tonight (NYE) from 7pm-4am. Is it ok to ask if a dinner allowance will be provided?

Absolutely. It would never occur to me not to offer dinner and I mean a good dinner, not pizza! You should have negotiated this in the beginning.

For you or for you and the children?

I will be sitting for a new family tonight (NYE) from 7pm-4am. Is it ok to ask if a dinner allowance will be provided?