not want her to eat while she is at your house, then mark them with labels like, “Dad’s food, please don’t eat.” Or “Dinner party ingredients please don’t eat.”

Many parents have special dietary restrictions for their children, whether it’s a sugar-free diet for general health purposes, or a lactose free diet for allergy purposes. Keep a list of all rules about food on the refrigerator, and go over them with your child, if your child is old enough to understand. This helps the child self-regulate, and also doesn’t make the nanny the bad-guy in what could become food wars.

If you want your child to eat a certain number of fresh vegetables and fruits, either make sure that you have the foods ready for the nanny to prepare, or make sure that you allow enough time for the nanny to purchase these items, with your child in tow, on work time. Another option is sending the nanny to the store on her regular hours while you watch the child for that time. If you want food cooked for the child, make it clear.

Some nannies will take the liberty of cooking themselves full meals while the child eats simple, pre-packaged meals. If it bothers you that the nanny is spending a certain amount of time while the child is awake cooking a meal for herself, tell her that you prefer she spend her cooking time while the child is napping, or that she limit the amount of time cooking, so that the child gets her full attention.

If you want the nanny to prepare your family’s dinner so that it is ready for you to serve when you get home, make this clear. If cooking is part of the job, start simple. Don’t expect your nanny to prepare beef bourguignon or an onion and leek tarte for dinner. Get familiar with the joys of microwaving meals – to start. There are many gourmet dinners that can be heated up, including vegetarian, organic and “designer” food like Wolfgang Puck meals. This may take some research on your part, but having a stock of frozen meals for “just in case” will save you and your nanny from stressing over a meal.

You may also suggest that all cooking on the job is microwave cooking because you don’t want the nanny spending time away from the child. Stock up on pre-pared foods like pre-packaged organic sliced turkey breast, microwave hamburgers and macaroni and cheese or chicken tenders. Carrots and other vegetables come washed and peeled, as do other vegetables. Pre-washed salad in a bag is more expensive than other vegetables, but it’s easy, fresh and clean. String cheese and beef sticks are all full of protein and easy to serve. Juice boxes, water bottles and other beverages all make it entirely possible to feed a child and a nanny – or an entire family with ease. While it may not be the linens, silver and candlelight dinner you hope for, it can be nutritional, easy and bring a family together for a meal with limited fuss.