How Do You Dress/Prepare for Your Workday?

[EchoMom]

I'm just wondering how everyone else prepares for their work day? What do you wear? Do you do your hair? Makeup? Shoes, socks, or bare feet? Do you wear the same thing at drop off/pick up all day? Have you already eaten breakfast before children arrive?

I'm just wondering what the morning looks like for everyone else. My legally unlicensed home daycare of 6 has been open since January and I'm just wondering if I should be more polished before people arrive? It's just so tempting to stay in bed until the last moment possible!

I bed share with my baby and husband, DH leaves for work before my day starts and the longer I can stay in bed the longer baby will sleep which makes the whole day so much better if he sleeps more!

I have a Master's degree in education and I want to present myself as the professional person that I am, but I'm also working with little kids all day in my own home so I hate to feel like I should do hair and make up everyday... Thoughts???

[jokalima]

I use simple things, jeans, blouses, not nice ones like wal-mart 8.00 blouses, shorts, zandals, fli flops, flats, no make up at all, earings yes, w/out earings I feel naked I just commented earlier on another post that at the beginning I used to dress up nicer and use makeup, but it's to much mess, to much drool, to many boogies, to much throw up/spit up, bleach and paint so nope, no more nice clothes for work. Obviously I don't wear rags either but just nothing that I would not like to get dirty or messy.

[Willow]

Do you do your hair? Yes. Always. My hair is very long to boot and would look awful if I didn't. Pony tails are pretty standard.

Makeup? I'm blonde so mascara is a must but that's the only make up I ever wear working or not

Shoes, socks, or bare feet? barefoot in summer, socks in winter...no one is allowed to wear shoes in my home because I don't want grub from outside on the floors my daycare kids crawl all over

Do you wear the same thing at drop off/pick up all day? Unless I get barfed/pooped/peed on I'd see no reason to change?

Have you already eaten breakfast before children arrive? No, I eat with my daycare kids at breakfast. We all sit down for all meals and snacks family style.



I shower at night and get up about 45 minutes before my first kids arrive. that gives me time to get myself ready, have a bit of time with my own kids, let the dogs out and get a cup of coffee in. I am almost always found in jeans and sweatshirts in the winter, capris and tshirts in the summer

[Breezy]

I usually shower, put a little make up on while I am catching up the threads here, wear yoga pants and a tshirt. Bare feet. My hair is usually wet during drop off or I will french braid it so it is curly later if I am going somewhere.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

What do you wear? Dresses with leggings, jeans and nice shirts, etc.

Do you do your hair? I either put it in a polished ponytail or straighten it and wear it down.

Makeup? Yes.

Shoes, socks, or bare feet? Either shoes or bare feet, depending on what I'm wearing.

Do you wear the same thing at drop off/pick up all day? Yes.

Have you already eaten breakfast before children arrive? Yes.

[Countrygal]

I'm not going to read all the replies, just answer the OP

I dress the same as I did working retail - nice clothes, clean, jewelry and minimal make-up. (just a little eye shadow and mascara). I wear whatever I feel like that day - from dresses and skirts to jeans and tanks.

I don't ever "do my hair". I wear it straight and/or pulled back in a clip or ponytail

If we have a day out in the field planned, I dress appropriately with tennies, pants, and usually something like a sweatshirt or flannel shirt. If we have a lot of messy activities planned, I will wear things with spots or house clothes that I don't care if they get paint or glue on them. If we have a day planned in sun, sand and water play, I have even been known to wear sweats and tees.

IOW - I dress for the day. But usually, I dress as I said in the first description.

[Blackcat31]

I'm just wondering how everyone else prepares for their work day? I prepare for my work day no differently than I prepare for any other day. I get up around 5:30 every morning.

What do you wear? I wear khakis and a nice comfy top in the winter months. Sometimes I wear jeans as well.
In the summer months I wear dressy type capri's and or longer style shorts (nothing denim) and a comfy top or blouse. (I buy ALOT of my clothing at Eddie Bauer)

Do you do your hair? EVERY DAY. I have longer curly hair and it needs to be done daily unless I want to frighten people...LOL! I wear it up some days and down on others but ALWAYS fixed. I don't do any type of curling iron or hair straightening.

Makeup? maybe some tinted chap stick and maybe once in a while some mascara but otherwise, I have never really been a make up wearer.

Shoes, socks, or bare feet? In the winter I wear socks and have slippers I wear in the house (ALL the DCK's also bring and wear slippers) and in the summer months I am usually barefoot....although I require ALL dck's to wear socks in my house as I cannot deal with other people's bare feet.... (I know, weird but just something I can't do )

Do you wear the same thing at drop off/pick up all day? Well unless I pack extra clothing I HAVE to wear the same thing I went to work in as I don't have access to my closet while at work. I do dress in layers though so I can take off my sweater if I get hot. I do keep a spare set of clothing at daycare....just in case.

Have you already eaten breakfast before children arrive? I am NOT a breakfast person and I don't offer breakfast to my DCK's either. I do drink coffee and brew a fresh pot as soon as I get to daycare.


I really do believe that it is important to look professional if you want people to treat you professionally. I think for me, it would be very difficult to stand firm in my policies and rules and act business like if I am standing before you in yoga pants and an over-sized comfy tee. I feel more professional if I know I am dressed the part....kwim. I know this philosophy is not the same for everyone but it absolutely works for me.

[Willow]

I think for me, it would be very difficult to stand firm in my policies and rules and act business like if I am standing before you in yoga pants and an over-sized comfy tee.

To add another perspective....

I used to wear yoga pants once in awhile, especially on days I didn't feel like I got enough sleep. They seemed to make the whole day more bearable .

Soon to be brother and sister in law's daycare provider went on vacation and I ended up taking his boys for the duration. Just by coincidence I ended up wearing jeans the first few days. At pick up time one evening BIL made the comment that he was relieved to see I wear jeans/khakis/capris daily. I laughed wondering what on earth that meant. I guess he was impressed I cared to make a bit of a better impression on parents than the boys' regular provider who lives in yoga/stretch pants, and chooses styles that are incredibly tight and usually too small for her size. He said if she were younger and going to the gym or relaxing with her family that might be appropriate, but while he's paying her to watch his kids? Not only did it not sit right but it made him uncomfortable at times too when her pants were so tight they literally ****ed into her butt crack.

I knew exactly what he was talking about because I've seen her out and about around town dressed like that. It's not like he was being a perv by making the observation, you simply can't ignore something that obvious and it is pretty off putting. One of those which is worse deals...the skin tight definition in the back or the skin tight definition in the front? I never would have imagined she dressed like that as a provider though too. At that age I'm sorry, the only way it can come off is trashy and/or lazy.



I still adore my yoga pants, I just save them for after hours now.

[Blackcat31]

To add another perspective....

I used to wear yoga pants once in awhile, especially on days I didn't feel like I got enough sleep. They seemed to make the whole day more bearable .

Soon to be brother and sister in law's daycare provider went on vacation and I ended up taking his boys for the duration. Just by coincidence I ended up wearing jeans the first few days. At pick up time one evening BIL made the comment that he was relieved to see I wear jeans/khakis/capris daily. I laughed wondering what on earth that meant. I guess he was impressed I cared to make a bit of a better impression on parents than the boys' regular provider who lives in yoga/stretch pants, and chooses styles that are incredibly tight and usually too small for her size. He said if she were younger and going to the gym or relaxing with her family that might be appropriate, but while he's paying her to watch his kids? Not only did it not sit right but it made him uncomfortable at times too when her pants were so tight they literally ****ed into her butt crack.

I knew exactly what he was talking about because I've seen her out and about around town dressed like that. It's not like he was being a perv by making the observation, you simply can't ignore something that obvious and it is pretty off putting. One of those which is worse deals...the skin tight definition in the back or the skin tight definition in the front? I never would have imagined she dressed like that as a provider though too. At that age I'm sorry, the only way it can come off is trashy and/or lazy.



I still adore my yoga pants, I just save them for after hours now.

EXACTLY!

I love yoga pants too but I was raised that pj's are for sleeping, yoga pants are for gym time and sweats or something similar are for lazy days when you see no one other than your own family.

I feel sad that our culture has come to the point that it is now okay to wear pajama pants in public and not only by children but adults as well.

I am NOT dissing anyone who does this, just saying I was raised in a different way and clothing has it's purposes. I had school clothes that I changed out of immediately after school into play clothes and had Sunday clothing that was for church only.

...Just how I was raised...so just how I am.

and yes, I absolutely think it makes a difference to parents.

[Kiki]

I had school clothes that I changed out of immediately after school into play clothes and had Sunday clothing that was for church only.

and yes, I absolutely think it makes a difference to parents.

My oldest DD (the only one in school) also has separate sets of clothing, and changes as soon as she walks in the door.


I'm just wondering how everyone else prepares for their work day? I get up about 45 minutes before my first arrival, shower, groom, and make my coffee. I have found that if I go to sleep with a clean house, and the next day semi planned there is nothing I need to do in the morning to prepare for my children as I've already done it all the night before. (I say semi planned because I've found it easier to just go with my groups flow for the day instead of telling them 'OK-time for xx'.)

What do you wear? I agree that it really does make a difference to parents if you are dressed and ready for the day. I don't typically wear 'dressy' type clothing, but I do wear jeans, and nice tops, or long capri pants in the summer with a nice top. I don't typically ever wear tank tops, because I do have some tattoos on my upper arm/shoulders, and I don't think it's professional for me to be broadcasting those out to the children/parents.
I get the being comfortable part, and am in no way dissing anyone that dresses in that type of clothing, it's just a personal preference for me not to.

Do you do your hair? Yes, however, my hair is cut shorter because it's extremely thin, so it takes me all of 2 minutes to dry it/straighten it.

Makeup? Nope. I haven't worn makeup on a regular basis since I was a teenager. In fact, I don't think any of my parents have ever seen me with it!

Shoes, socks, or bare feet? Socks/slippers in the winter, bare feet in the summer, I don't like the feeling of sweaty feet, so I refuse to wear any type of slipper in the summer. I also don't allow shoes in my home past the entryway, so all of my children remove their shoes as soon as they walk in the door.

Do you wear the same thing at drop off/pick up all day? I watch a 5 month old vomiting machine, so the chances of me wearing the same thing at pick up as I was wearing at drop off are very slim.

Have you already eaten breakfast before children arrive? No, since I am in my home, I am usually preparing DH breakfast/lunch and DD breakfast/lunch, I sit and eat with the children when they eat, same with lunch.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I should add that I have Celiacs (no gluten) and a dairy allergy. If I could consume the same breakfast that the children could, then I would eat with them.

[saved4always]

When I was doing childcare in my home, I have to admit that I did not really look all that professional. I always wore sweats and tshirts (nothing ratty or stained...just very, very comfortable) and, while I always washed my face and combed my hair and, of course, brushed my teeth, that was the only preparation. It took me about 5 minutes to get ready. My parents did not seem to care, so that worked fine for me.

Now I am turning over a new morning leaf starting tomorrow.... Tomorrow I start at the childcare center opening at my church. Since I will be outside my home and will be a lead teacher, I plan to do my makeup and at least make sure my hair is presentable. I will still be wearing a tshirt (a nice one) but I will wear either jeans or capris depending on the weather. My socks or slippers will be replaced by either tennis shoes or my Sketchers maryjanes. So, still comfy because I will have to be able to get down and play with my new little ones, but much more professional.

[saved4always]

Missed the breakfast question... when I did child care in my home, I always ate breakfast before the children arrived. I plan to do that before leaving for the child care center, too. It is just too difficult for me to eat while the children are eating. I don't want to wolf it down like I have to do with my lunch.

[MNMum]

What do you wear? I'm the one in yoga pants! They are well fitting, though, and coupled with a decent shirt. In the winter a hooded sweatshirt. I'm as active as a yoga instructor, on the floor, running around, I find it fits the work. I'm a RN and have spent 10 years being professional in scrubs. I don't think its the clothing, it's how you present yourself. I also wear jeans or capris or shorts, but my yoga pants are standard 2 days a week.

Do you do your hair? No. My hair is long and stick straight, usually wet at first drop off, but it looks fine.

Makeup? Always just pressed powder and chapstick

Shoes, socks, or bare feet? I'm the only one allowed to wear shoes in the house. If I don't have some support I am sore by the end of the day, it also helps me feel prepared for the day.

Have you already eaten breakfast before children arrive? Not usually, I eat as I find time.

[sharlan]

What do you wear? Jeans or jean capris w/a nicer v-neck t-shirt (Lane Bryant).
Do you do your hair? All I have ever done is wash and brush my hair.
Makeup? I've never been into make-up, so no.
Shoes, socks, or bare feet? 99% of the time, barefoot.
Do you wear the same thing at drop off/pick up all day? Yes
Have you already eaten breakfast before children arrive? I drink a Glucerna shake, so sometimes yes, sometimes no.


When my 5 AM kid comes, I am still in my nightgown and robe. I shower and dress once he falls back to sleep in the morning. I don't own yoga or sweatpants.