We have had the same nanny for six years. She only eats lunch at our home and has always brought her own lunch. This was something we discussed in our interview and she had no issue with it. She knows she is welcome to help herself to snacks and to make herself a sandwich with whatever is available should she ever forget her lunch. I can count on one hand the number of time she has done this.

Now that my DD is older and interested in cooking, things have changed. Occasionally, nanny and DD want to prepare dinner. I have a debit card card for her when they want to cook they are free to go shopping and cook whatever they want. I assume the nanny will eat whatever they make. sometimes, they make us dinner and nanny stays if she wishes and eats with us. She chooses the menu, pays for nothing and she and my DD make us all a delicious dinner. I'm always grateful for the surprise dinner and enjoy both the meal and our nanny's company.

i never expect this treat and our nanny never does it often. Usually she does what she does. She brings her lunch and snacks on what is available. She has never taken advantage of our open pantry policy and has always been more than generous and respectful of our arrangement.

She is awesome and we are so very lucky to have her.

I have been with my current family for three years. I am welcome to eat what is in the house, if there is anything specific I would like I am able to put it on the shopping list. My position is a bit unorthodox as I will do organizing, light cleaning of the kitchen, and errands for the family however, that is when I am scheduled and all three children are out. I often spend overnights with the kids from 1 - 5 nights and that is when I usually put more on the lists of things I like to have on hand for snacks or things to make for dinner for myself and all three kids. In an average week of 30 hours I usually only put my espressos on the shopping list as I may work a 13 hour day and working without caffeine does not make for a happy nanny. Besides that I have acclimated nicely to finding meals with the usual ingredients they have on hand. I sit down and eat dinner with the whole family as well. It's a great time to catch the family up on the kids positive behavior (negative behavior conversations are left for when the children are pre-occupied).

Nice. Don't get fired.