Yoga Pants or Sweat Pants?

Isn't that the great question for so many stay at home moms? I know, when I go to the bus stop there are three groups of moms.
1. People who work outside of the home during the day. You can tell they do because they are wearing real clothes. You know, clothes that look clean, make an outfit, and make the people look like professionals, adults, not slobs.
2. Sweat Pant wearing moms (this includes people in pajama pants, too). Generally they are wearing some sort of large sweat shirt (typically a Men's size) and a T-shirt with a Disney character on it.
3. Yoga pant wearing moms: (also other types of athletic pants not to include wind pants.) Usually work out or like to give the appearance of working out right after the bus leaves.

I am not a sweat pant wearing mom because I don't like sweat pants. I am, however, often times a yoga pant wearing mom and occasionally a real clothes wearing mom. I am always amazed by how much better I feel if I actually get ready, have real clothes on and feel "put together" for my day when I go to the bus stop. Sometimes, I'll change into jeans and a nice top just for the bus stop (because, let's face it, as a stay at home mom there are some days when that's the only time I get out of the house or see other adults all day!) just to come home, change into my workout clothes, and get my sweat on.

It's interesting how, when I was working outside of the home, I never would have gone "out," even to the bus stop, in my yoga pants. I really put much more emphasis on feeling and looking good because I felt more like it mattered. And, in some ways, it did matter more. I'm not going to be written up because I look like a slob when I'm cleaning the tub or changing diapers, but I would at least be talked to if I showed up to facilitate a meeting in a dirty t-shirt, un-showered and wearing yoga pants.
However, that's where I am now. In some ways, I like my new "uniform," and I love this job. I like wearing comfy clothes, having the relative freedom to structure my day, do my work in my pj's if I want to, and to play with my youngest daughter while the oldest is in school. However, a part of me yearns for the "old" me-who wore makeup and jewelry, had nice work clothes, did my hair, and got raises. Maybe that's a new part of my goals for 2011. Keep working out, keep eating healthy, get more organized, and wear real clothes to the bus stop in the morning.