Do you let your helper plan the menu or do you give her a weekly menu in advance?

I think it depends on whether your helper is able to come up with a proper meal every night. My helper does not need to follow the menu. I just buy the groceries and she will come up with the dishes. I give her recipe books to look at so that she has more ideas. If your helper can't do that, of course a weekly menu will help her alot.