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.

I think it's perfectly reasonable to ask her to cook for and eat the same as the children when she's with them. What she does in her own time is her business and she should be paying for it.

That she's not confident with cooking means she never will be if she doesn't make a start.

What kind of nanny is she if she doesn't understand setting a good example? I think its really bloody rude to take the kids to a picnic and the kids have homemade sandwiches and she eats two happy meals. What the fuck?

Thus spaketh a poster who was a full-time nanny once upon a time. I wouldn't have dreamed of behaving like that and my employer wouldn't have stood for it if I had.

Not sure you can really.

I would stop paying for her and ds to eat out so much.

Save leftovers from dinner for the following day.

Cook a chicken and ask her to cook veggies with the chicken.

I was asked not to drink fizzy drinks when I was a Nanny. No big deal. Same with sweets. No sweet stuff for the children.

Say ds can have a happy meal once a month maybe?

You need a new nanny, it is far from unreasonable to expect healthy food at work. Nanny should be a role model. And needs to cook,

I think modelling good eating habits is part of her job description - frankly if I had a nanny eating happy meals and haribo in front of her charges which they weren't allowed I'd be having words and asking if she was the right fit for my family. Frankly I think it shows poor understanding on her part of her what her responsibilities are.

To be clear I know it is none of my business what she eats. It's what the kids see her eating that bothers me I guess and I realise it may be irrational. I also don't like her going to McDs, Greggs etc and buying her food whilst the DCs eat their food. She is live out so it is only lunches and snacks that are in issue. So for example if they have a snack, the DCs have a banana and she sits with them and eats a bag of sweets. I don't want them to think its normal and we did discuss at interview that a healthy diet is really important, and that modelling good eating habits is part of a nanny's role.

You absolutely cannot tell her what to eat.

I don't see why you can't stock the fridge/freezer with the type of food you approve of and tell her that is what the children are to eat, and if she would like to eat whilst working she is welcome to also eat from your supplies.

I don't think you are under any obligation to continually give her money for takeaways.

Well then you need to remind her what was discussed at the interview

Do not tell her you'd like her to eat fruit and veg though, unless you want her to spit in your tea when you're not looking

If you trust her enough to look after your children then you trust her enough to look after your children.

End of.

If not then do it yourself.

YABVVU.

mameulah

I understand, I would be cross if my children were exposed to someone eating like that everyday, they'd pester me no end for sweets afterwards. I'd say she can eat whatever is in the house but you won't pay for lunch out any more. Is this feasible (not sure, I have a cm not a nanny).

OP, how do you know about the 2 Happy Meals she ate at the picnic?

Are you 100% sure she didn't buy them for your kids and tell them not to say anything?

I hate to bang on about it but buying 2 little Happy Meals for one adult makes no sense at all.

I don't think yabu. What sort of person sits and eats sweets and happy meals in front of children when the kids are having homemade sandwich's? I would stop paying for the happy meals for a start

Does she buy two happy meals so she can give the toys to your children?

YANBU - i am incredulous that a nanny would give her charges take-away and processed food. I often give my DD take away - in fact we have just had KFC because we have been out all day and i can't be arsed, but thats my child, my decision. If i were employing someone, especially a nanny (aren't they bloody expensive?) i would bloody well expect her to prepare fresh food (and no, i wouldn't expect to have to batch cook this myself, i would assume that was the reason i was paying someone to take that pressure off!) for the kids. If i had had to remind her about this i would already be about keeping her on - also, she is not setting a good example. Like i say, i am not perfect about food, in fact i'm pretty lazy but that is not the point, if i am paying i expect the service i am paying for and i was of the understanding that cooking for the kids is part of a nanny's job description.

Maybe she bought 2 so the kids could have the toys?

You are perfectly entitled to stipulate what the daily menu is for lunch and snacks for her and your kids. Just as you are perfectly entitled to sack her if she won't do as you ask.

She's not a proper nanny. I dunno where you got her from but she needs to go back there.

I would discuss it with her and if things don't change I would look for a new nanny. I certainly would NOT be paying for a grown adult to stuff their face with sweets and takeaways at my expense!

Ahh yes the toy thing would make sense!

Why isn't she giving them the food that is already in your fridge/cupboards?

And whilst I have never had a nanny, so don't know, what training do they have? Doesn't it encompass diet?

I appreciate she probably isn't Norland trained, but surely feeding the dc is part of the job?

I can see your concern. But you can't really dictate to her what she can and can't eat. Maybe it's time to look for another nanny.

If you are paying for it the yes, i think you absolutely CAN say when you are paying for it!

If she was paying for herself then that would be different.

I think that you are totally right to want to flag this up to her.
A huge part of her job is to be a positive role model to your children. Children learn what they live, hence we need to lead by example. If I ever have anything different on my plate, my daughter always wants what I have-without fail. Its natural for children to be interested in what they see others eating.
Its definitely out of rider for you to be expected to pay for her food.
Make sure the fridge is filled up with health stuff with which she can make packed lunches for the children and herself.

Can you ask her not to eat certain foods in front of the kids? if she wants to sneak upstairs and inhale a mars bar while they aren't looking, that's up to her.

Sorry about spelling, my cat walked across the iPad as I was posting!

How would those who think it's none of the OP's business feel if the dinnerladies at their DC's school starting bringing in Maccy D's or pizza and eating it in front of the kids?

Bet they'd have an opinion then.