Anonymous wrote:During the interview process, I ask for my nanny families to provide one Amy's frozen meal for my lunch each day. Every family has been very happy to accommodate. Sometimes I bring my lunch, but it's nice to know there is something available on hand I can heat up easily that is relatively healthy.

I don't like eating my nanny family's food so this is an easy, inexpensive way that they can provide food for me without having to worry that I'll eat the last of an ingredient they need for their own dinner, or break the food budget (or spend an excessive amount of time cooking).

Anonymous wrote:During the interview process, I ask for my nanny families to provide one Amy's frozen meal for my lunch each day. Every family has been very happy to accommodate. Sometimes I bring my lunch, but it's nice to know there is something available on hand I can heat up easily that is relatively healthy.

I don't like eating my nanny family's food so this is an easy, inexpensive way that they can provide food for me without having to worry that I'll eat the last of an ingredient they need for their own dinner, or break the food budget (or spend an excessive amount of time cooking).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

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 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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."

And we wonder why kids are going off to college without knowing how to put together their own pizza!
Their nannies are forbidden to cook in front of the kids.
How funny!

Oh please. Pp said her nanny cooks while the toddler runs around by himself. I'm the PP you quoted and now that the kids are old enough we cook TOGETHER, but in no way do I expect to spend an hour alone in the kitchen. If you can include the kid in cooking that becomes an activity. If you ignore them while you're cooking, that's irresponsible.

Sounds more like a sitter who doesn't know how to engage a toddler with meal prep.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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."

And we wonder why kids are going off to college without knowing how to put together their own pizza!
Their nannies are forbidden to cook in front of the kids.
How funny!

Oh please. Pp said her nanny cooks while the toddler runs around by himself. I'm the PP you quoted and now that the kids are old enough we cook TOGETHER, but in no way do I expect to spend an hour alone in the kitchen. If you can include the kid in cooking that becomes an activity. If you ignore them while you're cooking, that's irresponsible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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."

And we wonder why kids are going off to college without knowing how to put together their own pizza!
Their nannies are forbidden to cook in front of the kids.
How funny!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is such a weird thing to ask someone. How did you know what was on the menu to choose from?

Anonymous wrote: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."