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Original poster

Is my live-out nanny eating too much of my food?

88 replies

confusedperson · 23/11/2011 20:48

I just hired a live-out nanny for my two DC. Before hiring, she asked if she is allowed to eat our food. To be honest, I hadn't thought about it, so I said yes thinking that she will eat what is served for children (normal quality food which I would eat myself). I have a meal plan and I always half-prepare lunch and tea myself, she only needs to cook/serve.
To my surprise, I noticed that a lot more food is consumed than the provided lunch, tea and snacks. Like the almost the whole loaf of bread per day, third of packet of spreadable butter per day (surely 1 adult and 2 under 4 wouldn't eat that much?), 8 yogurts that I bought for one of my DC are gone in 3 days (usually he has 1 per day with us), a big yogurt that I bought for her is also gone, some days 3 eggs are gone (not on the menu), or half of jar of peanut butter in 2 days. I don't think she gives all that to children (cos it's not on the menu), so must be eating her self. She is a young slim girl but still... I like her otherwise, children like her too, but I feel like she is going to make me go bankrupt. It is only been 3 weeks with her, and I am still watching, but I feel it's too much. I don't want to start counting what she eats, and I don't want to demotivate her, but I think is abnormous. I just did shopping last Sunday.. .for days on, the fridge is completely empty, and still weekdays to go.
What would you do?

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MogandMe · 23/11/2011 21:33

Does sound a lot. I am live in and even then I buy a lot of my own groceries as I know I can be a greedy cow have hungry days Grin However I am aware never to eat MB special bits and pieces - would count your yoghurts as these-

Could she be having extra playdates I know some days we appear to eat a lot but that's usually because we have nanny friends for lunch or tea. Nanny playdates can account for a huge ammount of fruit or a good portion of chocolate biscuits Grin

BlueyDragon · 23/11/2011 21:30

confused, we've just taken on a nanny on the same basis (can't be worse than 2 lots of nursery fees) and have found that it is more expensive. Even with only DS at home all day and DD at school, it's quite a difference. That being said, the consumption you describe sounds excessive. Can you approach her in the context of talking about your children's diet so that she understands that you've noticed?Maybe that would make her back off a bit?

Gigondas · 23/11/2011 21:30

My nanny has large sandwich for lunch (maybe 3 slices of bread) with corned beef/cheese and piece of fruit. She may have another piece of fruit or cake (if I make it ) or biscuit . Plus milk for a couple of coffees and water . Occasionally she might have some baked beans or soup .

That is probably about what I would have I. A day at work (or If home with dd) ie lunch plus 2 snacks plus maybe 3/4 hot drinks and water (neither of our nannies were into soft drink). Does this help? Am sure others will indicate what they think reasonable.

Original poster
confusedperson · 23/11/2011 21:23

Gigondas, how do I define that x amount?

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Gigondas · 23/11/2011 21:19

If she has been with you 3 weeks isn't it time for a how you are getting along chat. Bring it up there- say there is x amount of food for her and if she needs anything else she has to buy it.

Original poster
confusedperson · 23/11/2011 21:11

I don't know how much she eats of the children's food (usually none left and I try to leave three portions while DC are only 3 and 1), but it seems that she likes snacking rather than eating?
Oh, how do I approach this.. it was meant to work out cheaper than two nurseries, but I might start to regret our nanny at some point.

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Gigondas · 23/11/2011 21:11

Ok when you put all that in it does sound Ott. Maybe other poster who had idea about her Stocking up at yours is right .
Sit down and agree what is her ration .

Original poster
confusedperson · 23/11/2011 21:08

It is hard to judge indeed. But when my DH was staying at home with DC, I used to prepare food for them in the same manner, and they consumed much less. And I basically told her, for example, 1 yogurt for a child per day (I am not counting DC2 because he is only 1 and eats fromage frais). So all those are gone, yogurt that I bought for her (big one is gone), and 4 soya yogurts that I bought for myself also gone (1 consumed by me). I didn't mention, that we get fruit from local asian shop almost every day, they come in 8 apples, about 8 bananas, 8 pears.. (we buy at least 3 of everything). They gone in two days. I don't believe my children eat that much, because my DH used to stay with them and he says it is not possible, and I know it myself. I really don't want to judge, but I am terrified by the amounts of food that just disappear.
Oh just checked that my peanut butter jar which I bought 4 days ago, has only a spoonful on the bottom left. I haven't touched myself and I don't think children did.
I always ask my DC1 what did he have, and it is always what I left on the menu. The little one cannot talk yet, but he surely does not eat that much.

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thisisyesterday · 23/11/2011 21:00

that does seem excessive

and she actually asked before she was taken on?? do you think she eats as much as she can at yours so that she doesn't need to eat at home? to save money or something?

weird.
i would definitely talk to her about it and set some limits

Gigondas · 23/11/2011 20:59

Sorry read you did meal plan and prepare it- are you absolutely sure it's not kids?

Gigondas · 23/11/2011 20:56

It's a bit hard to tell as people do have different appetites. Do you have a strict diet sheet ? I am wondering how youcan measure use so exActly and be sure its the nanny. My dd eats a lot more food and even stuff she wont eat with me with nanny ('mainly as tends to be ravenous after school) so i find it hard to measure amounts as what happens varies. So may be that not nanny.

Some of it sounds not surprising - 8 yoghurts - if kids have 1 she has 1 a day that is 6. It's not beyond possible that kids want another.

WhAt I am saying is hard to Judge but I really an issue maybe have some basic stuff that can eat freely of (eg bread butter) and make clear what else needs too last the week for all of them.

SuperDuperJezebel · 23/11/2011 20:54

I was prepared to say no, but that sounds like a LOT of food! I'm a nanny and tend to err on the side of caution by eating less of my employers food and buying treats myself with my own money - I dont think its fair to expect them to subsidise my biscuit habit! I wonder if shes having a lot of playdates/friends around?

Original poster
confusedperson · 23/11/2011 20:53

correction I just did shopping last Sunday.. .four days on, the fridge is completely empty, and still two weekdays to go.

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