Seeking Your Advice on Feeding the Nanny.

Wow, thats a tough one! The other moms had good ideas, though. I just have an additional thought. You might get good results by coming from a different angle, like telling her "Im sorry you had to eat leftovers, so I'd like to buy some food that you enjoy and designate a spot for it, so you'll always have something you like.". I have never had to deal with that so good luck!

i would start buying things especially for her and tell her oh i left whatever in the fridge for you, and if theres something you really want of your own put your name on it maybe she'll get the hint

Maybe she thinks she's doing you a favor...at my house leftovers get put in the fridge but rarely anyone eats them. I know lots of people that do this. Maybe she knows this happens often in homes and so there for thinks she's helping you by eating them. I would suggest tell her "I have left over whatever in the fridge, could you be sure to leave that for me I'm looking forward to eating it after work." I'm sure she'll understand and leave it alone. Insead of telling her you could even leave a note on the fridge whenever there is something you don't want her to eat. That way she knows and you won't feel resentful toward her for eating something you wanted. Good Luck!

I used to be a nanny years ago and as a nanny it is already uncomfortable being in someone elses house all day and eating their food. It's good that she feels comfortable enough to eat your food...if you say anything to her she might get offended.

Just label things that are for special occasions so she doesn't eat them.

If that is your only problem I would just overlook it.
It is hard enough to find a nanny that "really" plays with your child and doesn't just sit on the phone all day or watch tv.

Good luck

Ugh T., that is a toughy. How long has she been your nanny? I use to be a nanny and even though the people I worked for told me the same thing, I always felt a little uncomfortable. So if I looked at something in their fridge or pantry and I wasn't sure if I should eat it, then I knew in my mind that I probably shouldn't if I had to question it.
I honestly would just sit down with her and be honest. It's food, it should'nt be that big of a problem, and if it is, then you need to question other things. But I do agree with some of the other mom's responses. Give her an area with stuff in it. Ask her what she likes and maybe have a few of her favorites on hand when she's over. Then she won't be tempted to eat "your" favorites :)
Good Luck,
J.

The best thing is to communicate with your nanny.

After all, you did tell her to eat what ever she wanted. Nothing is 'off limits'. Unless your word means 'nothing.'
That is exactly what she is doing, and now you are upset about it?! The girl eats leftovers for goodness sakes! How great is that?! Nobody likes leftovers in my house. I always end up tossing them into the garbage.
You need to 'say what you mean and mean what you say.' The nanny is not a mind reader.
You need to address this issue with her as soon as possible so that it doesnt continue to bother you.
Re establish boundaries with her.
If there is something that you dont want her to eat, put a little note on it. 'do not eat' or 'saving for dinner tonight'.
If you no longer want her in your groceries, give her a food allowance to buy her own groceries to store in your home.
After all, what is the important issue here? It is the children and the quality of care and love that they are getting from the nanny when you and your husband are unavailable. If the nanny is incredible and does exceptionally well with your children, and the children love her, then you just need to make an adjustment in your grocery shopping and supply more food for your home.
Best of luck to you and your nanny.

WOW!!! I am a nanny and I PACK MY LUNCH! AND SNACKS!!!! seriously i have nannied for one family for 1.5 yrs and the new family i'm going on day 3 with them and i FEEL HORRIBLE about even having a glass of milk! I"m not sure how long you have had this Nanny... but i would say something to her! (i mean unless you know she is from a place where she may not be eating at home.) I know one of the families i interviewed with said they would take 35 dollars a week if i chose to eat their food (didn't take that job) BUT that is an idea just maybe drop hints that your grocery bills are getting high. And that MAN MY FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT IS GONE UGH NOW WHAT can i have for lunch kind of things... she should get the hint and slow down.. if not then tell her directly i know we said help yourself but we really meant you can snack here and there not fully eat all of everything ... hope that helps!

Sounds to me like she's def crossing boundaries. I mean it's very nice of you to tell her this, but I think she's taking advantage. How many jobs provide your food and meals? I'm guessing you meant along the lines of making a sandwich or things like that right? I like the other moms ideas of giving her her own area for food. Just let her know she can have whats in that area or she can bring what she would like.

Hi T.,
Personally I think you should talk to her. Depending on how long she is there she will probably need to eat but she has to be resonable about it. You are paying her plus she is eating as another member of the family. Maybe talk to her and give her a section of the refrigerater and a cupboard and tell her whatever is in that area she can eat. Maybe have her bring her own supplies. Otherwise maybe lower what she is going to be paid. My brother-in-law lived with us for awile and he would always eat my peanut butter m&ms (my favorite) so I know how it feels to really look forward to something and have it not be there. Anyway good luck.
Chris

If this is the biggest problem you have with your nanny- you are lucky- if she shows up on time every day- and takes good care of the kids -- I think you should be happy..

we had issues with our nanny and too mcuh tv watching... but overall she has watched my daughter for a year- my daughter has never been hurt- there is no damage to the house.. no items have been stolen...etc...

I do think you can tell your nanny that an item is for a specail occasion and to please leave it.. Like if you bought a cake or desert for a party you were going to- you could ask her to leave taht-- if she is mainly eating leftovers taht is really not an issue.. and it might be the quickest and easiest thing for her to eat while watching your child.. maybe she feeds him some of he leftover dinner and eats the rest... that way she doesnt have to cook anything while watching him..

get some yellow sticky notes and mark any items that you want her to save for you..

but really it is not a big problem.

Have a one on one meeting with the Nanny during your child's nap or quiet time, and discuss that you would like to give her an assigned area (a shelf or one side), in the refrigerator, and freezer, that she is allowed to use the food items placed there, for her own personal meals that she desires, and the rest of the refrigerator shelves and freezer areas are off limits. There also, should be an assigned kitchen cabinet shelf that is specifically the Nanny's to use for her own meal source, and the other unassigned cabinets are off limits. Make her feel special about her assigned areas.

She is not a mind reader for petes sake. If you don't want her to eat something tell her. Leave a note on your leftover's to let her know that you want some too. Personally if I found a takeout container in the fridge I would think that it was a leftover not that it was being saved for the next days dinner.