We have a new nanny. My wife and I say to each other, “Well, she’s better than nothing.” And we mean it — she is, actually, better than nothing.
B-grade nanny lunch
It’s hard to find a good nanny. Our previous nanny, Karina, was with us for seven years. She was the only nanny my two oldest children, Flynn and Willa, ever knew during their early years. Our third child Imogen has, at age 21 months, already had five.
Some nannies are good with the kids but don’t do much cleaning or organizing, which is a problem when the kids are in school all day and the baby is taking a long nap. Some nannies look busy but never seem to get anything done. Other nannies just sort of stand around. Some of them stare at you while they’re not doing anything, which is worse than having no one there.
In the morning before the day begins, I make everyone lunch. The kids get sandwiches and fruit in their lunch boxes and are shuttled off to school. My wife and I get leftovers from the previous night or something new if there are no leftovers. Usually the nanny gets the same thing we’re having. A couple of the recent transient nannies — two of “The Five” — were vegetarians. I admire vegetarians, I just don’t want to have to be thinking about making another whole separate lunch for them three or four days a week when I’m trying to get the house moving in the morning. They were glad for their homemade vegetarian lunches. But I was glad to see them go.
How I feel about a particular nanny is usually evident in my attitude toward their lunch. If I am indifferent toward them, or if they actually annoy me, I will invest less attention in whether they enjoy their lunch or not — as if somehow were their lunch not top notch, they might seek employment elsewhere. My conscience and sense of the basic dignity of every person prevents me from actually making anything bad in the hopes of hastening the process.
Our nanny Karina, the seven-year one, didn’t eat much other than Mexican or fast food when she started with us. By the time she left, Japanese was her favorite food, and she said after us and the kids, it would be the lunches she would miss the most.
And so here we are, at #5. The new nanny eats. And stands around. And still, she’s better than nothing.
skinny girls & mayonnaise 
Apr 17, 2012 @ 00:56:04
You guys need to create a training program for your nanny. Maybe the expectations and standards of performance are not clear. If that is true, just like in the corporate world, you only have yourself to blame.
Apr 17, 2012 @ 01:16:38
If lunch at your house was part of the bargain, I think I could both stand around AND look busy. But, then I spent most of my career in a big law firm and mastered those skill sets.
Apr 17, 2012 @ 01:47:06
You’re hired too!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 01:19:57
I nannied for a very short period of time. No one ever made me lunch, but I made lots of dinners and did lots of laundry. Sounds like we would have been a match made in heaven. I will gladly work for (good) food.
Apr 17, 2012 @ 01:46:54
You’re hired!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 02:20:36
Oh man! Should I give up my work and be your nanny!!?? I have references!! Lol!!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 14:34:39
You’re hired!!!
Apr 17, 2012 @ 04:10:09
What?!!! Why in the world are you making your nanny lunch Sean? She can either bring her own or make her own lunch- that is what happens everywhere else.
Apr 17, 2012 @ 14:34:59
Job perk, Nonie! Umm, it’s called being kind?? LOL
Apr 18, 2012 @ 19:45:25
Maybe you should find a new nanny or talk to your nanny?
Apr 18, 2012 @ 20:24:44
Excellent advice! Actually, we just replaced her.
Apr 19, 2012 @ 20:18:13
I hope you have more luck with your new nanny. Finding the right nanny can be hard. I am not a parent but a nanny and I often see other uber-qualified nannies doing a bad job. Please keep us updated.
Apr 19, 2012 @ 22:24:24
Oh excellent! Expert advice from a real nanny! We might need to consult with you. We’ll pay consultant fees, of course.
Apr 20, 2012 @ 21:10:42
Don’t worry – happy to assist with whatever I can.
Apr 20, 2012 @ 00:38:04
Wow…makes me glad Maleia decided to stay home with Kaeden….
May 05, 2012 @ 13:52:30
WOW! 6 nannies already! That is just insane! I hope your new one works out better for you. It amazes me how many bad nannies are out there who don’t care for their jobs.