How Do You Dress/Prepare for Your Workday?

[MissK]

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 typically get up around 6:20-6:30ish to hop in the shower.
My hair is always done, 9 times out of 10 its just up in a ponytail, but every now and then I'll decide to straighten it (I can't just leave my hair down to dry on its own - it gets frizzy and wavy and ucky...).
I do typically put on foundation and powder - I just like it
Bare feet for sure!
I wear either jeans or black dress pants (I just honestly feel more comfortable in dress pants) and a t-shirt. Something comfortable yet still looks nice
I have had some coffee before the kiddos get here, but I eat breakfast with them.

[Meeko]

Nothing fancy, but I like to look "professional casual".

Usually pants and a nice shirt. Always earrings. I wear makeup and do my hair every single day. I shower at night and then do my hair and makeup when I get to my day care in the mornings (I have a separate house for day care)

I'm middle aged and can't get away with no makeup. I have pale skin and blonde brows, lashes etc. I look ill without makeup!

At my age I need to look professional. I think a younger women can get away with more casual wear.

I feel my clients take me more seriously when I dress smartly. Many of my clients work in an office setting and dress appropriately. I would have a hard time laying down the law to them over money etc. if I looked like the janitor at their office.

[renodeb]

I'm more like casual-casual. Jeans and tshirt, capris, shorts occasionaly. Make up most every morning while Im sipping my coffee.(at my age I need it) Sometimes I eat breakfast before kids come and sometimes not. I hardly ever wear shoes, slippers, bare feet or socks. I admit I dont look real professional, Im all about comfort. My hair is very thick and long and lives in a low pony tail all day. I like wearing makeup, it makes me feel human, and I like the way it makes me feel to know Ive "put my face on" esp when we go on outtings.
Debbie

[gwenpatt.dc]

Well, this is something to think about. After reading some of these posts it makes me wonder. I dress for the weather; shorts, t's, tanks, jeans, occasionally a dress. Usually barefoot or a flat of some sort. Makeup is rare. Hair is neat but not 'done'. These families know their kids, most, if not all, fully admit they couldn't do what I do for them. I like to look nice but I don't dress to the 9's. My attitude and demeanor make me professional. How I handle myself. Am I less a professional in shorts and a T than when I wear khaki's and a blouse? I don't think so. Our line of works puts certain demands on our wardrobe and it matters how physically involved you are with your kids. If my clothing gets 'abused' I change, the same as if it happened to one of the kids. I too have crested the peak of 50 but don't feel makeup and 'more professional' clothing would make my families look at me 'more professionally'. I am who and what I am and I am a professional. ;

[Blackcat31]

Well, this is something to think about. After reading some of these posts it makes me wonder. I dress for the weather; shorts, t's, tanks, jeans, occasionally a dress. Usually barefoot or a flat of some sort. Makeup is rare. Hair is neat but not 'done'. These families know their kids, most, if not all, fully admit they couldn't do what I do for them. I like to look nice but I don't dress to the 9's. My attitude and demeanor make me professional. How I handle myself. Am I less a professional in shorts and a T than when I wear khaki's and a blouse? I don't think so. Our line of works puts certain demands on our wardrobe and it matters how physically involved you are with your kids. If my clothing gets 'abused' I change, the same as if it happened to one of the kids. I too have crested the peak of 50 but don't feel makeup and 'more professional' clothing would make my families look at me 'more professionally'. I am who and what I am and I am a professional. ;

I agree that clothing doesn't make you more professional...however, it is how whatever clothing you wear makes you feel.

For me, stating I wear khakis and a blouse doesn't mean I AM more professional. It just means it makes me FEEL more professional. Make sense?

If I felt professional in yoga pants and a tee, I would most definitely think about changing my work attire.

[AnneCordelia]

I'm up 2 hours before my first daycare child arrives. DH and I get up at 5am, workout, shower, dress. I wear makeup on probably 3/5 days and my hair is usually in a pony. But it's clean and brushed.

I typically wear jeans or khakis in the winter. With t-shirts, blouses and sweaters. In the summer I wear capris with thick strap tanks, or Ts. I sometimes wear cotton maxi dresses too...I love a long light dress in the summer. I don't wear short shorts or spaghetti strap tanks just because I don't showing that much thigh or showing bra straps. I don't think there's anything wrong with it though.

We have breakfast as a family and make school/work lunches before DCKs arrive.

[lil angels]

I get up in the morning and shower and my hair is normally wet when my first kid comes. Them when dry normally goes into a pony tail. Little make up if any. I will wear all different types of pants. I got sick of wrecking all of my shirts so I ordered five from a company will my name and contact info and a cute little daycare pick on them and I wear those. Good advertising to. Plus I don't destroymy normal clothes.

[MsMe]

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What do you wear? I dont think what I wear are yoga pants...but they fall in the same catagory. I have a dozen pairs of black cotten pants and capris (from old Navy) that I wear everyday. I pair them with the same dozen or so well fitting (not girl cut or oversized) t-shirts and a hoodie (all bought from the school PTO in our community colors) I dress this way because I am very active with the kids and I am just not comfortable in jeans and my dress shirts to be active and happy all day.

Do you do your hair? Every day. I shower each morning, blow dry, staraighten, and pin back my bangs

Makeup? Every day!! I don't go anywhere with out full makeup. ever.

Shoes, socks, or bare feet? socks, I even bring socks to put on when I wear capris in the summer.

Have you already eaten breakfast before children arrive? I brew a pot of coffee when I get here....it is a standing joke to offer it to the kids as they come in in the morning

I don't have the option of going from the bed to the door to greet children but even if I did I would NEVER. I have had daycare parents who had providers do it that way in the past and they didn't like.

[daycare]

I have not read all responses, but I did see that some of you are aganist yoga pants or gym attire...

My group is extremely physical and we are always on the go. We farm, hike, bike, walk, and exercise daily. I wear clothing that will allow me to move freely and able to get down and dirty just like the rest of the kids. So I do wear yoga pants, jogging pants, capri pants, and etc.

My clothing is clean and well kept and the parents know from the start that I don't spend a lot of time on me, as I have too many other things to be doing than to spend it all on me getting ready.

I spend about 10-15min each morning, washing up, teeth, face, sunblock, the normal stuff and then out to the front and start setting up my day.

[Zoe]

I shower the night before so that I can sleep until the last possible minute. My first one comes at 6:30 and since I do second shift as well, I NEED MY SLEEP!

I brush my hair, put on minimal makeup (mascara, eye shadow, under eye concealer, and lipstick), and put on my jogging clothes. I say jogging clothes because now that it's warm outside we go on long walks and are out and about all morning and I get sweaty. Baby wipe/washcloth shower after our walk.

I don't think it's unprofessional, just prepared for the day. In the winter months, I wear sweaters, hoodies, really just my regular clothes and jeans.

During nap, I'll change into a nice t-shirt from New York and Company and some sort of jean (shorts, capris, etc.)

I don't wear shoes in my house, just socks or bare feet.

[Lianne]

I used to wake up 15mins before my first client arrived, throw clothes on and answer the door. I was finding my days were miserable. I was miserable. I started waking up at 5:30am every morning, no matter when my first client arrives (usually 7:30 or 8:30). It gives me time to shower, make my bed, have a coffee and breakfast, get online, putter around the house. If I miss my alarm, I really notice the difference in my day.

I get up, hop in the shower then sit on my bed for 10mins and watch the news while my hair towel dries a bit. Back in the bathroom I brush my hair and teeth, put mousse in my hair and hang up my towels. I go back to my room to make the bed and get dressed. I start my coffee and breakfast (usually a toasted bagel), let the dog out, feed the animals then bring my breakfast and coffee to the computer.

I usually wear jeans or capris & a t-shirt. I don't wear make up and 'doing' my hair consists of brushing out tangles, fluffing it with my fingers and adding mousse to help enhance & control my curls. That's if I shower. If I don't shower that morning then I fluff it with damp fingers and throw a hairband in. I hate socks so I usually don't wear them. If I get cold feet I'll put some on but they never last long. I wear Crocs year round (sneakers outside in the winter). I only change my clothing during the day if I get really dirty otherwise it's just extra laundry for me, . As I type this @ 10;30pm, my t-shirt has strawberry juice at the hem, paint on the sleeve and smeared cheese on the chest. We were busy today

[magsgma]

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???

I shower about an hour before children arrive. I bought some *golf" type shirts in many different colors and wear jeans. In the summer I use tank style tops and capris. Because I have problem feet I need to wear motion control footwear which usually means running shoes all time... Makeup is usually dependent on my mood (if I need to lift my spirits I will do a little mascara blush and lipstick) otherwise nope no makeup and a ponytail.
If I get up early as I usally do (about 4:30am) I will eat something and then again with the children (at 8AM)
The only jewelry I wear are my rings. (one on each hand)
I will change my clothes dependent on weather and circumstances. I do wear a nurses smock over my clothes when changing diapers and a different one for feedings. And I have a vinyl art smock that I wear (when I remember to put it on) :-)

[AfterSchoolMom]

I'm 6 months pregnant, so I wear whatever fits and is comfortable!

I get up about an hour before anyone arrives and get my own family ready for the day. I shower the night before and so I generally just throw my hair into a ponytail. I generally wear capri pants or shorts and a t-shirt, but yes, I have been known to wear yoga pants, . I'm up and down on the floor all day, so jeans pr khakis would be unbearable for me. I don't wear makeup during the work day, so it's generally deodorant and lip balm for me.

I used to try to eat with my own kids in the AM before they go to school, but I've found that DCP's drop off in a half hour window that, no matter what time my breakfast is ready, always coincides with the first bite....so now I have a glass of milk with my kids and eat during morning nap.

[texascare]

I do get up each day and do my hair and makeup.. That's just me. If I worked an outside job I would do the same. I wear sweat pants in the winter--adidas or nike so i can get up and down easily with the children. Not the hanes or kids kinds. I wear capris in the summer. I always wear socks, or flipflops. I wear a shirt that has something to do with the daycare or kids. ex. Kids are my buisness type shirts. I know of a provider that wears spandex black pants every day and no bra and I can tell you that everytime I interview a parent that has interviwed with her they mention it. They are just shocked. And she is not a little person so I Feel parents must look at how we present ourselves. Now at 5:30 in the evening do i look like I did at 7:30 that morning? no......but i dress so look somewhat professional. I want to seperate myself from the ones who merly babysit and the ones who are daycare providers in my area.

[Kim]

Wake Up- I get up a half hour to an hour before my first arrival depending on the day.

Dress- I wear shirts I had made with my daycare logo on them and khakis most days. Once in a while I will wear jeans or black yoga style pants- not tight and they have pockets. I used to wear nicer shirts but after a long day of spit up, bleach, paint, poop and everything else I was getting tired of ruining my clothes. Now I have a sort of uniform and if it gets gross I don't mind so much. I usually order more shirts each year. I wear socks. I don't change during the day unless I have to. I change after work if I am going out.

Hair- my hair is simple so I don't do much with it other than brush it. It usually ends up in a pony tail most days.

Makeup- not much of a makeup kind of girl

Breakfast- I usually eat with the kids. I do relax and have a cup of tea alone before they all arrive though.