To ask our nanny to eat more healthily ...

[2littleduckies]

Or even just cut out the junk food whilst she is at work?

Not long after she first started we asked her to stop feeding the DCs take away for lunch regularly and to ensure they ate at least some fruit and veg each day. This has happened more or less. She still relies on more processed food than I would like, but she is not that confident with cooking so cooking from scratch every meal is not an option.

The main issue is that she obviously doesn't eat any fruit or veg herself, drinks fizzy drinks, bags of haribo and other sweets, pasties and other 'junk food' most days at work. I would prefer she and the DCs ate the same food. I don't think it is helpful that as an example they have homemade sandwiches and she eats two happy meals - this happened when they last went for a picnic. As a side issue we also pay for her food whilst she is working, but this is primarily as she eats with them to model good table manners and eating habits. Paying for the bags of sweets and unhealthy top ups grates.

Is it unreasonable to say we will only pay for her food if it is healthy (ish) and we don't want her bringing 'junk food' into work/our house every day? I'd also like them to see her eating veg with her meals, as the DCs now say they don't like this and that, but realise that might be a step too far.

Whaaaat? You can't tell an adult what she can or can't eat.

Even if you pay for it - either you are happy to pay or you aren't. As long as she isn't spending more than you have allowed her then you can't dictate what she buys with it for herself.

Can you cook and freeze large batches of food for your children?

She will feel you are being very controlling. I understand where you're coming from because children do tend towards eating the food they see the adults around them eating (eventually), but I think you need to find a new nanny.

YABVU

Cook the food yourself and ask her to heat it up for the kids

Keep your nose out of her diet, it's nothing to do with you I'm afraid.

You could ask her...and she could tell you mind your damn business

No. No you can't. That is just bonkers. She is your nanny, not your child and it is absolutely none of your business what she eats.

I'd say it more as it's making it harder for your dc to like healthy food and this is very important to you. Not that you are dictating what is good for her, she's old enough to choose, but that you don't want them to see a role model eating stuff that you don't want them to have. I would say she is welcome to eat the junk in the evening or anytime she is not around them, but when she is with them, it would be best if she can eat what they eat.

ah tricky one
we always used nursery which obviously had clear rules about healthy eating

So the kids eat 'proper food', and the nanny eats junk? Does she actually go into McDs and buy herself junk, and not buy anything for the kids? I think that is out of order, presonally. You're not asking her to cut out the junk food altogether, just while she is working. I don't know what the correct protocol is with nannies, but it seems weird to have to pay extra for her food -can you not just leave healthy food in the fridge, and make it clear that it is for everyone's lunches? If she wants McDs and haribos, she can buy them out of her wages!

You can't really but I can understand your frustration.

Don't provide the money but do ensure there is enough healthy choices that she can prepare for herself and the dc. You can include meals you have made which just need reheating if she can't cook.

You can't do that but I wouldn't be paying for all thi from a cost point of view. To pay for her to eat from scratch is reasonable but to be funding sweets and happy meals, er, no, what a cheeky mare!

TBH I'd look for a new nanny

I think you are right to want healthy eating modelled for your dc, but don't think you can dictate what she eats. Personally I would find a new nanny.

I think you would be justified as surely part of her role is to model the behaviour that you expect from the children. You would need to word it very carefully though.

it does seem a bit mean to eat Macdonalds happy meals in front of the kids and not buy them one too

I think you're being perfectly reasonable meself. Setting a positive example should be part of the job.

She can eat all the shit she likes when she finishes for the day.

Wow no you can't. No way on earth.

I understand your problem and reasons. This is one reason I don't have a nanny/childminder for mine - it's one person with a huge influence that you can't control. But it's is a massive overstepping of the mark to tell her what to eat.

And who buys themself 2 Happy Meals? That makes no sense at all

Surely it's cheaper and easier to buy 1 adult meal?

Yes to barefoot just have a fridge stocked with healthy food and stipulate that that is for her as well; maybe ask if she has any particular preferences so that there will be some stuff she likes?

Two happy meals while they have a sandwich though....

...for me this would be a deal breaker in the 'modelling good behaviours and habits' catagory and I'd be looking for a new nanny.

To my mind she is quite behaving irresponsibly.

To be honest, I am really conscious to eat a lot healthier when the children are around as I know how much children watch what adults eat. I also think it's important to all eat the same when eating together. I wouldn't cook two children two separate meals, so why would I let them see me cooking a separate meal for myself? I'm surprised she's not doing this. But I have no idea how you would approach it as like others have said, it is difficult telling an adult what to eat.
I might have a little pack of sweets in my bag incase I have been rushing around and need a quick sugar fix, but I wouldn't let the kids see...

She is an employee. What exactly would you do if your boss asked you to eat differently?

I think as a role model it is important what she eats, and I am one of the least controlling people on the planet (I think!). I also do let my kids have McD's, but it is something we do on occasion as a family because it is cheap when we are out. I wouldn't eat sweets around my kids and say they can't have any, and I wouldn't eat happy meals around them and say they couldn't have any. I don't think a nursery would allow a nursery worker to do this. Of course, you can sneak off for a chocolate bar on your break but not stuff one in front of all the kids. .

Actually, maybe just say you wont fund food being bought by her, you will be buying the food yourself and bringing it in to the house every week.