Should the babysitter feed my kids her food? - Page 2

[limabean]

I don't think there's any "should" in this situation -- whatever you guys have agreed on is fine.

If I were you, unless you specifically talk to her about it and change your arrangement, I would probably continue sending snacks. If the cupboards were bare and it wasn't a babysitting day, you'd find something for them to eat or go shopping and get something, right? And since your babysitter isn't used to having to feed them, she could be having a bare-cupboard day that same day, so you can't assume she'll have something on the days you don't.

[lilyka]

Honestly, if it is only three hours I wouldn't send anything and as a a sitter it wouldn't occur to me to offer a snack.

[claras_mom]

Originally Posted by MissMaegie'sMama

If I paid a provider an above average wage to care for my children in her home, I would expect her to provide a healthy snack. Some parents are more comfortable providing their own snacks, and there's nothing wrong with controlling what your kids eat while they're at the provider's place. However, if it's a case of the provider not wanting to provide a snack at that price point, then I think a parent has the right to ask her if she'll reconsider.

Originally Posted by sunnmama

When my friends and I watch each other's children, we tend to make a donation to the pantry rather than sending a snack for the child.

I watch some friends' child for a week at a time in the summer, and they bring a bunch of food for the kids (all the kids--their kid and my kids) the first day of the week, and nothing the rest of the week. So all the kids get some of their food, and some of my food, and it makes everything easier for all the parents. It is MUCH easier for me when all the kids are offered the same snack (no snack jealousy issues).

I think you just have to talk about it. I like the idea of contributing things for the snack pantry, particularly if she has kids of her own.

At dd2's daycare, meals/snacks are extra (parents provide all food the first year). Just more $$ for some really good healthy food. At dd1's preschool last year, we provided lunch, but the school provided snacks (2x/day). For public K this year, parents provide snacks (1x/day). But none of these are as informal or short-term as what the OP is talking about.

[AislinCarys]

I've worked as a nanny in other people's homes. But we did nanny share (2 families at a time), so we were always at one home, and other children arrived there in the morning. And over the years it changed. With one of the families, they sent along everything for their child, including milk and water in sippy cups. Another family would send a bowl of strawberries and a package of crackers at one time or a melon and a litre container of yoghurt another. A third family sent a lunch box for the kids to share, supplemented with a few things from the cupboards of the hosting family.

I'm planning to start looking after a child (as well as DD) in my own home now. And this time I'd prefer that I can feed the child what we eat (we are more restricted than most, eat an organic diet, no sugar, no milk except yoghurt, no egg, little meat, so no risk of junk foods!), so we can eat together, modeling eating and enjoying food together. Possibly the parents can send fruit or something along at times, Luckily, the parents and I are on the same page about nutrition in general, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is, whatever you arrange together is right. I don't think there is a particular "way" it is done.

[texmati]

even when my parents sit for ds, I send food. I'm picky, and I don't want my mom to have to cook special stuff for him.

[crazyms]

Yep if there are other kids there then she will provide the snacks so the kids have the same thing but if it is just your kids but at her house I'd say either as long as it isn't food against your guidelines for the kids. My babysitter provides food for my kids if they get anything (not usually there for meal or snack times) because she has her own kids there and sometimes other kids as well. If I bring something I know how many kids are there and bring for all or just don't send anything at all.

[moondiapers]

Originally Posted by lilyka

oh, and as a daycare provider I went back and forth. On the one hand I did not like what a lot of kids brought So I provided all food and allowed no outside food. Then my friends kids literally ate me out of house and home and would rummage through my cabinets insult our food etc. So then everyone had to bring their own snacks and I provided no food. I always had parents provide milk. I simply did not have the room to store specific milk for each child.

I provide all food because I don't want one kid chowing on chocolate donuts while the kid next to him wishes he had the same thing. If a child insults my food they get one warning, if they do it again meal time is over for them and they are sent away from the table. I feed a reasonable amount of food, and provide seconds....after that they have to wait until the next meal or snack time. The reasonable amount I provide is based on what the food program suggests (even though I'm no longer on the food program).

A babysitter is different though, she's not in business for herself, you are employing her. So it's more common for parents to provide the food in this case. If I were babysitting I'd feed the kids what their parents sent them, but I'd also allow them to try what I was eatting if they seemed interested in it. It's always a good thing (barring allergies) for kids to try new foods I wouldn't let them eat a whole meal of my food if their parents were sending food with them, but they could certainly have a bit to see if they like it.