A little over ten years ago my older son was born. Like most
new parents, Marc and I were completely clueless. Since we both work, hiring a nanny seemed logical. After a series of
interviews we foolishly decided to go with the smartest and sharpest of the
applicant pool. Every morning smarty-pants would come into work; before she
would touch or acknowledge the baby she’d make herself tea and oatmeal. I’m not
a timid person but this woman was running the show. I’m embarrassed to say I
put up with this insanity for six months until I started to get a clue. I sent
an email out to everyone I knew looking for a new nanny and somehow hit the
babysitter jackpot.
This go around, our son was there to help us. L* came into
our apartment for her interview and he crawled over to her and sat in her lap.
This stranger instinctively hugged and kissed him as she’s done for the past
nine plus years. Friends of ours have switched babysitters as their children got
older but L is a part of our family. Aside from being patient and loving, L is
a fantastic cook; my boys love plantains, ackee, saltfish and curry thanks to
her. And because I’m such a pain in the ass particular L has learned
some things from me as well. She knows that the produce for the house has to be
organic, beef grass-fed, water filtered and in glass bottles…and the list goes
on. Did I mention L was patient?
I’m going somewhere with all of this. Yesterday, I left the
office early to pick up the boys on their last day of school. I came into the
apartment, to drop my computer ,and was greeted by this
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| not my definition of "joy" |
My heart started to race, I may as well have been staring at an explosive device “L are you eating McDonalds?” “Yes,
just once in a while Lauren, that’s all.” I couldn’t believe the enemy was in
my house. “L you really shouldn’t eat it, it’s total junk and you’re so careful
about what you eat. Plus, we have a whole fridge of good stuff.” I decided to
stop there but 10 minutes later couldn’t help myself and said, “seriously, McDonalds?” In her kind
way she said, “Lauren, you’re making me feel guilty.” In my snarky way I replied,
“that’s fine, you should.” Then I thought about it some more. My kids are at
school, she feeds them really well, aside from concern or repulsion do I have a
say in what she chooses to eat? I don’t think I do but she has horrendous
reflux. Hypothetically, if she eats foods that aggravate it and has to miss
work, is it my business then? It can get a little complicated but if this was
the first time in 10 years, I’m hoping my kids will be in college before it happens
again.
What is your take on
this? Do employers have a say in what employees eat? Or can you say what isn’t
allowed in your home or office? Would it be different if she had it in front of
the children?
*even though she eats McDonalds I’ll still protect her
privacy.
