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Family Hires Nanny Full-Time And Explains To Her That She Can’t Eat Anything From Their Home
It goes without saying that taking care of a kid is a very tough job. And it’s equally hard to find a nanny who’d help parents out because, face it, sooner or later you will have to leave your kid in someone else’s hands because you’ve got stuff to do.
But parents come in all shapes and sizes, and nannies get to experience this diversity as well, with this one particular babysitter going to TikTok and explaining that she got hired by a family that specifically asked her not to eat their food, despite having to work there a full work day.
More Info: TikTok
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Meet Brenna, a professional nanny who’s recently been going viral for a video of hers regarding her work conditions
Image credits: braonain1
Meet Brenna (@braonain1 on TikTok) who is a professional nanny as well as a lifestyle, fashion and fitness influencer. She has been recently in the news because of a video of hers that showed a peculiar situation.
In the video, she was unpacking her lunch and snacks for the day she was babysitting. The caption read: “POV: when the family you nanny for doesn’t let you eat their food so you bring the most random [things]”.
Specifically, she showed herself unpacking her food for the day because the family she works for doesn’t let her eat their food
Image credits: braonain1
Image credits: braonain1
Among the things that she unpacked were a doughnut, some fruit, a water bottle, chips, pretzels, and a can of chicken noodles. But hey, the coffee and water was available to her, so she was able to make an iced coffee, and she was trying to make the best of it.
But what stuck with people was the fact that the family that hired the nanny to work full-time included in the contract that she was not to touch and eat any of their food, meaning that she was supposed to provide it for herself throughout the day.
Despite her having to work a full day, she was asked to bring her own meals, which consisted of mostly snacks in this particular scenario
Image credits: braonain1
There was the silver lining of being able to get some coffee and water
Image credits: braonain1
Despite trying to grin and bear it, she ended up leaving after 2 days, but not without going viral first
@braonain1 Yeah don’t ask about my food choices.. first time having a family tell me I can’t eat there food but it’s all good 🤣 #nanny#funny#nannyfamily♬ Material Girl (Bass Boosted) – Saucy Santana
In particular, the people on TikTok were, for the most part, all for nannies having “pantry privileges”. And this was coming from regular people as well as other nannies and people who hired them, so the overall nanny hiring culture is certainly contrary to what this family decided on.
While Brenna did mention that she was trying to make the best of it, in a video update (which is no longer available, assuming for privacy issues) she said she had quit two days later and was already at a new job. She also encouraged those who employ nannies to allow them to eat their food and to treat them well.
She gave several updates, namely where she quit and explaining more about the situation
But, overall, people were supportive of Brenna
And while you could play the devil’s advocate and argue that nannies are there to do a job, i.e. take care of a kid, and not eat, and that it’s a benefit that is solely the decision of the parents, you can’t really blame nannies for not wanting to live with it because everyone’s free to look for jobs with conditions they want and need.
Whatever the case, her video blew up on TikTok, receiving not only loads of support from like-minded nannies, parents and followers, but also garnering 1.7 million views on the video with a bit over 170,000 likes.
We also got in touch with Brenna and are awaiting a response for her, so stay tuned! In the meantime, why not check out the video in context here, and also tell us your thoughts on this in the comment section below!
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What do you think ?
LB 3 years ago
People who’ve never nannied commenting that employers don’t provide food. 🙄 Most employers don’t. But it is the norm that people provide food for the nanny to eat, as they are likely eating multiple meals a day with the children. Aside from that, it’s not like she gets a break when she can send the children away and eat. So now she has to possibly deal with the children wanting to eat the food she has brought for herself, rather than the food the parents want the children to eat. Putting the nanny in a bad position and possibly causing unnecessary friction between the nanny and children.
Jan Ka 3 years ago (edited)
Absolutely this ! People don’t realise the fact we don’t even have the time to prepare our own food and sometimes it’s tricky to eat our portion as we get distracted by children, crying babies etc. Moreover it’s better when nanny eats the same food as children, because it’s not good if she had some more attractive food and they had for example some healthy food that parents wanted them to eat. Also, good families treat nannies as part of the family and have no issues to share their food.
Load More Replies...
MoJo1979 3 years ago
Having worked as an Au Pair both in Europe and the USA, it's in all contracts that your employer provides you with food if you are feeding their children. To have someone specifically say you cannot eat their food shows all sorts of red flags.
Joanne Lawrence 3 years ago
I mean, just from a logic standpoint, if I had a nanny who was feeding my kids during the day, I would encourage the nanny to eat the same foods with the kids to set a good example and normalize healthy eating. I wouldn't want the nanny trying to get the kids to eat a healthy lunch and she's sitting there eating the packaged snack foods that she had to bring for herself. That just doesn't make any sense to me.
Load More Replies...
- 3 years ago
For those that say employees normally bring their own lunch: these employers are refusing to feed ONE employee. They're not going to go broke providing lunch. Plus, that means the nanny eats very different food from the kids: "No, you can't have my donut. Now finish your liver and spinach sandwich."
Michelle Hinds 3 years ago
And the nanny can't run out and take an hour lunch and leave kids - other occupations are very different.
Load More Replies...
Jazmine Mcleod 3 years ago
I think many are thinking when this nanny says she works a full day, she works 8 hours, but a majority of nannies work between 10-14 hours in the day and is hard to make store runs if they run out of snacks. She can obviously make her own meals yes but often its hard to reject sharing with a child when they see you eating and want some themselves. It cuts her supply..just speaking from experienc e
Megan Boomershine 3 years ago
Exactly most probably don't realize the nanny usually even makes dinner and the parents usually eat the dinner that their nanny cooked when they get home.
Load More Replies...
Yurdy Barger 3 years ago
I was a nanny. That's how I paid my way through nursing school. HOWEVER it was nothing like her experience. I was able to eat or drink what was available. Nothing was off limits. I was expected to treat it as my home. I worked 12 hour days but was treated like family. When theybplanned a trip I was paid hourly 24 hours for the duration once for 2 weeks since I had the kids over night. They gave me a bonus before the trips so I was able to get clothes or supplies I would need. They paid for my food when I was out with them. I was never to pay for anything. While i know I was incredibly blessed with the family i worked for being expected to bring food from home is a bit much. Your literally in a house with a pantry and refrigerator and most nannys work very very long hours. When someone is helping raise your children treat them like family not employees please. We become very attached to these kids. We love them. Don't treat us like outsiders.
Karyn Stouffer 3 years ago
For those who are saying that most jobs don't provide food for their workers, you are correct. However, in any job, at least here in the US, when you are cooking for others, it is extremely common that you get to eat that food as well. As some others have said, it's not like she is getting a full meal break. She can't just park the kids somewhere while she takes any sort of break, much less a meal break. I've been a nanny. I've worked in restaurants. Both types of places provided food. Other jobs did not, but I was able to walk away from the work for a set period of time to actually eat and have a small rest, then get back to work.
Megan Boomershine 3 years ago
ChipBoundary is obviously confused because here IN THE UNITED STATES'OF AMERICA ITS THE LAW ANYONE WORKING IN AN EMPLOYMENT SETTING GET A BREAK. A nanny/in home babysitter is the only job here in the US that's not so regulated. It's OSHA LAWS AND LABOR BOARD LAWS YOU MUST GET A HALF HOUR EVERY 8HOURS AND 15 MINUTES EVERY 2 HOURS PAST THAT. ITS A FEDERAL LAW BY THE WAY. YOUR OBVIOUSLY EXTREMELY CONFUSED. THE US DOES HAVE LAWS ABOUT THIS. CALL THE LABOR BOARD IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IT.
Load More Replies... Teddy 3 years ago
I've worked as a nanny for several years. I always do a contract at the beginning and discuss requirements in detail. I'm quick to leave if a job doesn't turn out to be ideal for me (generally because the family hid things from me or tried to change things we had discussed). So I've worked with a lot of families. In my experience, the families who wanted me to bring my own food and never touch theirs were unaccomodating, rigid, and had expectations they weren't willing to pay for. Families who asked me to bring my own food but were open to me grabbing something from the pantry occasionally were generally pleasant to work for, and families who asked me to write a grocery list were a genuine delight to work for. It's a small thing that can give you an idea of what they'll be like to work for, it shows their generosity and flexibility. I now screen out families whose pantries are off limits and won't work for them.
AnnMaria Petrini 3 years ago
I was never a nanny but would run into alot of them in the daily trip to the playground with my kids. I'll never forget the 4 nanny's all who eventually quit for one particular couple. She was so horrible that they couldn't take it. My 4 year old and the little boy loved playing together but nanny #1 was so embarrassed to finally tell me that her boss didn't want her child playing with mine because "we were of a different class"! And the ridiculous part is that we are business owners who are doing quite well but i guess not elite enough for the snob. Anyway that nanny quit and begged me to allow her to work for me and I told her I did everything on my own si I didn't need a nanny. Her boss had one child and needed a nanny! Alas at the playground I ran into 3 others who also quit within months. I feel sorry for some of these poor nannies.
Load More Replies...
Brandie Buckle 3 years ago
Nannies probably eat at least 2 if not 3 meals with the children. They don't get an official lunch break where they can go to the canteen or shops to get lunch.
Ramona Jackson 3 years ago
There's likely no canteen to patronize in most homes.
Load More Replies...
Juno Schero 3 years ago (edited)
That is absolutely ridiculous. I was a nanny for an amazing family with two beautiful little girls for two years and I was more than welcome to eat their food, watch their TV, etc. Sometimes my shifts were 7:30-5 with very active growing girls. I couldn't imagine not being able to eat with the little ladies while we sat together. Also, the kids were smart and would have asked why I wasn't eating with them. Also, usually nannies have extra tasks like driving kids to extracurricular activities (and they don't pay for gas or wear and tear on your car), doing the kids laundry, and since mine were young I educated them. With no breaks and constant awareness, lunch is a fair bet. Run away from that family
Sang Fe 3 years ago (edited)
I worked at a Pre Trial Detention Facility as a nurse. Like custody, we could not leave for our meal break and could be interrupted for any emergency so the cooks that prepared inmates food set buffets out for all staff as well. If an employee cannot take an uninterrupted break away from work then they get paid and are provided food as well. It isn't complicated to understand that a nanny requires the same consideration.
LB 3 years ago
People who’ve never nannied commenting that employers don’t provide food. 🙄 Most employers don’t. But it is the norm that people provide food for the nanny to eat, as they are likely eating multiple meals a day with the children. Aside from that, it’s not like she gets a break when she can send the children away and eat. So now she has to possibly deal with the children wanting to eat the food she has brought for herself, rather than the food the parents want the children to eat. Putting the nanny in a bad position and possibly causing unnecessary friction between the nanny and children.
Jan Ka 3 years ago (edited)
Absolutely this ! People don’t realise the fact we don’t even have the time to prepare our own food and sometimes it’s tricky to eat our portion as we get distracted by children, crying babies etc. Moreover it’s better when nanny eats the same food as children, because it’s not good if she had some more attractive food and they had for example some healthy food that parents wanted them to eat. Also, good families treat nannies as part of the family and have no issues to share their food.
Load More Replies... MoJo1979 3 years ago
Having worked as an Au Pair both in Europe and the USA, it's in all contracts that your employer provides you with food if you are feeding their children. To have someone specifically say you cannot eat their food shows all sorts of red flags.
Joanne Lawrence 3 years ago
I mean, just from a logic standpoint, if I had a nanny who was feeding my kids during the day, I would encourage the nanny to eat the same foods with the kids to set a good example and normalize healthy eating. I wouldn't want the nanny trying to get the kids to eat a healthy lunch and she's sitting there eating the packaged snack foods that she had to bring for herself. That just doesn't make any sense to me.
Load More Replies... - 3 years ago
For those that say employees normally bring their own lunch: these employers are refusing to feed ONE employee. They're not going to go broke providing lunch. Plus, that means the nanny eats very different food from the kids: "No, you can't have my donut. Now finish your liver and spinach sandwich."
Michelle Hinds 3 years ago
And the nanny can't run out and take an hour lunch and leave kids - other occupations are very different.
Load More Replies... Jazmine Mcleod 3 years ago
I think many are thinking when this nanny says she works a full day, she works 8 hours, but a majority of nannies work between 10-14 hours in the day and is hard to make store runs if they run out of snacks. She can obviously make her own meals yes but often its hard to reject sharing with a child when they see you eating and want some themselves. It cuts her supply..just speaking from experienc e
Megan Boomershine 3 years ago
Exactly most probably don't realize the nanny usually even makes dinner and the parents usually eat the dinner that their nanny cooked when they get home.
Load More Replies... Yurdy Barger 3 years ago
I was a nanny. That's how I paid my way through nursing school. HOWEVER it was nothing like her experience. I was able to eat or drink what was available. Nothing was off limits. I was expected to treat it as my home. I worked 12 hour days but was treated like family. When theybplanned a trip I was paid hourly 24 hours for the duration once for 2 weeks since I had the kids over night. They gave me a bonus before the trips so I was able to get clothes or supplies I would need. They paid for my food when I was out with them. I was never to pay for anything. While i know I was incredibly blessed with the family i worked for being expected to bring food from home is a bit much. Your literally in a house with a pantry and refrigerator and most nannys work very very long hours. When someone is helping raise your children treat them like family not employees please. We become very attached to these kids. We love them. Don't treat us like outsiders.
Karyn Stouffer 3 years ago
For those who are saying that most jobs don't provide food for their workers, you are correct. However, in any job, at least here in the US, when you are cooking for others, it is extremely common that you get to eat that food as well. As some others have said, it's not like she is getting a full meal break. She can't just park the kids somewhere while she takes any sort of break, much less a meal break. I've been a nanny. I've worked in restaurants. Both types of places provided food. Other jobs did not, but I was able to walk away from the work for a set period of time to actually eat and have a small rest, then get back to work.
Megan Boomershine 3 years ago
ChipBoundary is obviously confused because here IN THE UNITED STATES'OF AMERICA ITS THE LAW ANYONE WORKING IN AN EMPLOYMENT SETTING GET A BREAK. A nanny/in home babysitter is the only job here in the US that's not so regulated. It's OSHA LAWS AND LABOR BOARD LAWS YOU MUST GET A HALF HOUR EVERY 8HOURS AND 15 MINUTES EVERY 2 HOURS PAST THAT. ITS A FEDERAL LAW BY THE WAY. YOUR OBVIOUSLY EXTREMELY CONFUSED. THE US DOES HAVE LAWS ABOUT THIS. CALL THE LABOR BOARD IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IT.
Load More Replies... Teddy 3 years ago
I've worked as a nanny for several years. I always do a contract at the beginning and discuss requirements in detail. I'm quick to leave if a job doesn't turn out to be ideal for me (generally because the family hid things from me or tried to change things we had discussed). So I've worked with a lot of families. In my experience, the families who wanted me to bring my own food and never touch theirs were unaccomodating, rigid, and had expectations they weren't willing to pay for. Families who asked me to bring my own food but were open to me grabbing something from the pantry occasionally were generally pleasant to work for, and families who asked me to write a grocery list were a genuine delight to work for. It's a small thing that can give you an idea of what they'll be like to work for, it shows their generosity and flexibility. I now screen out families whose pantries are off limits and won't work for them.
AnnMaria Petrini 3 years ago
I was never a nanny but would run into alot of them in the daily trip to the playground with my kids. I'll never forget the 4 nanny's all who eventually quit for one particular couple. She was so horrible that they couldn't take it. My 4 year old and the little boy loved playing together but nanny #1 was so embarrassed to finally tell me that her boss didn't want her child playing with mine because "we were of a different class"! And the ridiculous part is that we are business owners who are doing quite well but i guess not elite enough for the snob. Anyway that nanny quit and begged me to allow her to work for me and I told her I did everything on my own si I didn't need a nanny. Her boss had one child and needed a nanny! Alas at the playground I ran into 3 others who also quit within months. I feel sorry for some of these poor nannies.
Load More Replies... Brandie Buckle 3 years ago
Nannies probably eat at least 2 if not 3 meals with the children. They don't get an official lunch break where they can go to the canteen or shops to get lunch.
Ramona Jackson 3 years ago
There's likely no canteen to patronize in most homes.
Load More Replies... Juno Schero 3 years ago (edited)
That is absolutely ridiculous. I was a nanny for an amazing family with two beautiful little girls for two years and I was more than welcome to eat their food, watch their TV, etc. Sometimes my shifts were 7:30-5 with very active growing girls. I couldn't imagine not being able to eat with the little ladies while we sat together. Also, the kids were smart and would have asked why I wasn't eating with them. Also, usually nannies have extra tasks like driving kids to extracurricular activities (and they don't pay for gas or wear and tear on your car), doing the kids laundry, and since mine were young I educated them. With no breaks and constant awareness, lunch is a fair bet. Run away from that family
Sang Fe 3 years ago (edited)
I worked at a Pre Trial Detention Facility as a nurse. Like custody, we could not leave for our meal break and could be interrupted for any emergency so the cooks that prepared inmates food set buffets out for all staff as well. If an employee cannot take an uninterrupted break away from work then they get paid and are provided food as well. It isn't complicated to understand that a nanny requires the same consideration.
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