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Original poster

Nanny eating all our food including specialist food for my diet - what do I do?

61 replies

Gustawind · 21/08/2016 10:19

Hello, I recently employed a live in nanny who's eating us out of house and home! We keep coming home and finding packs of apples or nuts just bought have disappeared etc, even my secret stash of dark chocolate went one night. She's on a health kick so is making juices and salads all the time. I have health conditions that are greatly improved and treated with diet, so I have always bought special foods including organic and health foods when i can. I said that i would provide food at the beginning, but we keep coming home and finding all the organic fruit and veg eaten as well as speciality foods. I cant afford to provide organic and health foods for everyone including my partner who doesn't contribute financially (perhaps a separate thread for that one). AIBU to suggest that I buy her own separate non organic basics and then she buy her own speciality foods if she's going to use them everyday? I cant afford to be on a special diet myself and pay for everyone else's. Or is it normal to suck it up and buy more of everything I usually have when employing a live in? Won't be able to do that for so long.

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RJnomore1 · 21/08/2016 10:52

Ok I think you need a food hierarchy

It's fine to have food you say is out of bounds if it's medical reasons you need it for

So talk to the nanny and explain - top shelf is yours, rest of the fridge is for her and the rest of the family

Oh and the farm foods stuff in the freezer is for the cocklodger if you insist on feeding him

NameChange30 · 21/08/2016 10:52

I know this isn't what you asked, but your partner doesn't contribute financially?! Does he live with you? Does he work? Is he the father of your child?

BristolLFR · 21/08/2016 10:48

Agree with pitchfork, have you actually had a conversation with her about what she can and can't eat.

If someone said to me they were providing my food and there was food in the fridge is eat it, how is she to know what your "special" food is?

Mention to her that you have special dietary requirements and that food on a certain shelf/ cupboard is yours specifically. Then make sure you have sufficient "normal" food in the house.

And remember you're feeding another adult. If she's a live in nanny, she'll be home most of the day so will be having 3 square meals plus snacks/ drinks etc, that's quite a bit of food.

PitchFork · 21/08/2016 10:39

have you talked to her?
that should be the starting point.
talk to her and tell her that she's taking too much food and that certain foods are out of bounds because you need them because of your health condition.

hollyisalovelyname · 21/08/2016 10:39

Why does your partner not contribute?

NickNacks · 21/08/2016 10:36

Red and green sticker the items she can and cannot have?!

TenThousandSpoons · 21/08/2016 10:36

Harsh replies. Scoffing a whole pack of apples (6?) is not really on is it?

JenLindley · 21/08/2016 10:32

If you have a partner who isn't contributing financially why aren't they providing childcare? Unless they are ill of course?

IzzyIsBusy · 21/08/2016 10:30

A live in nanny should eat what the family eats if you have agreed to provide her food.
If you cannot afford organic for all then dont buy it, this is not the 1800s and the maid should not be offered the left overs Hmm

Also tell your cocklodger to pay his way then maybe the poor nanny could eat as well as the rest of you.

alltouchedout · 21/08/2016 10:26

If you want a distinct upstairs downstairs, you aren't allowed to eat my high quality foods, vibe, sure, go ahead.
Maybe you can't afford a live in nanny.

SharingMichelle · 21/08/2016 10:23

Hmm... i think it's a bit odd to buy organic for yourself and not for anyone else in the family, but that's not the issue you asked about.

You need to be very clear. You can be quite pleasant and matter of fact; "please help yourself to anything on these two shelves in the fridge. Don't take anything from the to shelf because i need it for lunch boxes / my special diet."

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