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Original poster

My nanny eats nothing.....

33 replies

nannyeatsnothing · 28/08/2008 22:49

Do you think this is strange...I have a nanny who comes to help me with my toddler 2 days a week - both to help me out but also to ensure he learns DH's language - she comes from his country. I am on maternity leave at the moment so am at home those days with the newborn.

I have NEVER seen her eat. She arrives at 7.30am - having had breakfast at home, eats nothing for lunch and leaves here at 6pm to have her dinner at home.

I know for a fact that she eats some of DS's lunch behind my back (and also eats bits and pieces from our fridge behind my back. This is despite me asking if she wants anything in a casual way every time. I just turn a blind eye TBH.

In your experience, do you think she is:

  1. Simply shy - not wanting to look as if she is eating our food
  2. Is wrong to take some of DS's food behind my back
  3. Do you think I should say something or just leave it

In some ways I don't like the sneaky nature of it....

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Original poster
nannyeatsnothing · 28/08/2008 22:58

By the way, I love her and so does DS. I just get a bit freaked out that she feels the need to be sneaky like this. And it is sneaky because she makes a conscious effort to hide it and I have heard her in my bathroom with a fork.

BTW I am not intimidating...and we get on well

OP posts:
NorbertDentressangle · 28/08/2008 22:58

Maybe she just has a problem about eating in front of other people -its not uncommon.

It could be due to being shy or embarrassed or it could be something deeper like an eating disorder although I wouldn't go assuming that

AvenaLife · 28/08/2008 22:56

Hmm. I'd order her to eat it, I wouldn't want someone looking after my child who was likely to collapse at any minute.

Seriously though, I'd talk to her about it, especially if you have already tried giving her a plate of food and she turns it down. Just tell her 7:30-6:30 is a long time to go without something to eat. Let her eat it alone if she wants.

Original poster
nannyeatsnothing · 28/08/2008 22:56

When she first started (a year ago) I did try all this and she simply said that she didn't eat lunch - not with me nor with the other family she works with for the other 3 days. That is fine. But then noticed that when she is feeding DS and I leave the room, I come back in and the plate is miraculously empty....I KNOW how quickly my DS eats....(BTW he does not go hungry)

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Original poster
nannyeatsnothing · 28/08/2008 22:54

I meant "did the same for myself" to try and make her feel like spotlight was off

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TheRealMrsJohnSimm · 28/08/2008 22:53

Agree with Avena.....just make an extra portion of whatever you are having for lunch and announce that her lunch is ready.

Original poster
nannyeatsnothing · 28/08/2008 22:53

Tried that - and she simply just says no. I cooked pasta today. There was obviously some left over and I offered to her. She says no.

Put a doughnut on a plate for her the other day, made her a cup of tea (did the same for herself) and then found the doughnut back in the packet later....

OP posts:
AvenaLife · 28/08/2008 22:51

Why don't you just give her a plate of whatever you are cooking and don't ask her if she wants it. Don't say anything, just give it to her.