Parenting
Sheila92003
member
Sweatpants in Public
Sheila92003
member
in Parenting
So one day I sent DS #1 (7 years old) to his childcare provider in sweatpants (fleece pants with no elastic at the bottom). There was no school, it was MLK day. When DH got home he gave a disapproving look and asked if that was what he wore that day. I mentioned to my Dad that DS #1 was wearing sweatpants (same kind as before) yesterday. We didn't leave the house. My Dad said that the sweatpants were fine for in the house but not in public. DS #2 wears sweatpants sometime, but he's 2 years old. Do your kids wear sweatpants in public? Do they really look bad to wear in public or are my DH and Dad just being picky?
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Re: Sweatpants in Public
No one has ever given me grief for putting DD is fleece pants or other types of sweat pants in public. I think they're being ridiculous.
As long as there are other cozy, zipperless pants options, then I would skip sweatpants. Like Old Navy has pull up cargo pants with fleece lining. I put my ds in those.
For me, I wear yoga pants when I'm feeling lazy.
I wouldn't go so far as to judge someone else for putting their kids in sweat pants, but I would notice it. I am a little judgey about adults wearing sweat pants. I just think there are other options that accomplish the same goal but look more flattering.
This!!! My DD wears leggings almost daily...I don't think they are the same as sweat pants, but I would never judge someone or look at them weird of their child had one sweat pants.
I wouldn't side eye a toddler in sweats but mine do not wear sweats or jammies in public ever. Not even as newborns I always dressed them. Buddy has tons of sweats, they are for outdoor play out in our back yard. If we go anywhere he knows he has to wear jeans or khakis.
I would probably wonder why a 7yo is wearing sweats in public. But I'm not going to be bothered by it enough to judge it or give it a second thought.
My kids don't wear fleece or sweatpants out, but DS2 has a couple nike basketball outifts and has worn them to preschool when they've warned us ahead of time about big painting projects. They're like these pants with a coordinating top.
I just don't think my kid could get a good nap in with jeans or khakis on. When he does wear jeans or khakis, I switch him to pjs for his nap.
I do not, however, let DS go out with pjs on. I don't judge parents who do let their kids, though.
I do not understand all the judginess of parents. Most parents are doing the best they can with the resources they have and unless I see something deliberately neglectful or a safety risk, I do not judge.
It is so strange to me that people actually give a 2nd thought to others wearing sweats in public and assume it must "mean something".
I guess people think a lot of things about DD and me on weekend afternoons because we pretty much live in sweats/leggings/yoga pants etc.. all weekend. In and out of the house.
Does this thinking apply in the summer, too? Do kids have to be wearing denim or khaki shorts? Are elastic waist knit shorts side-eye worthy, too, or is it only an issue with full length pants?
I wear sweatpants in public.
Yoga pants are also just snug sweatpants. So all those ladies wearing yoga pants? They're walking around in sweats.
WTF? Jeans aren't comfortable, especially in a car seat, or at DC where a kid is expected to nap. If we are going on a long car ride (more than 30mins) I won't put DD in jeans.
She wears yoga pants or skirts/dresses with leggings if we are going anywhere where she might be playing. For the playground I put her in jeans because they are less likely to rip or stain.
I don't think jeans look particularly better than leggings or yoga pants, it really depends on how you put together the outfit and how well the clothes fit. I think sweatpants are the yoga pants/leggings equivilant for boys so I don't think twice about boys wearing them. There's no reason kids should be as comfortable as possible when they are just playing.
This.
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This exactly. I rarely notice what other people are wearing, unless it is something way out of the ordinary.
DD is still pretty small, so she wears outfits that have sweats as the pants part...think Carter's, but they are not always from Carter's. If she wants to wear sweats when she's 7, more power to her.
Or poop slash birth your baby in them.
I personally don't put my kid in sweats or fleece pants ever, whether or not we are going in public, but I certainly don't judge other parents for it.
He always wears jeans or cords with a sweater, button down, or t-shirt. It's a personal preference, I don't care for the look of casual/sporty clothes and he doesn't indicate to me that he's uncomfortable or has a preference. The only time he goes out in comfy clothes are when we are headed to the doctor when he is sick - he wears pajamas.
ETA: I don't wear sweat pants ever, and I only wear yoga pants when I'm doing yoga and work out clothes when I'm working out.
So what if there are options that "look better"? Why does it matter what someone else wears in public? Do you judge if people where a tshirt instead of a sweater? That's likely not as attractive. Or wear a ponytail instead of styling their hair? That's not as attractive.
I really am surprised that soft pants are so terrible in public. DS must get side eyed a lot. He even wears soft shorts in the summer. I figure they're cooler and more comfy.
OP, I wouldn't think twice about a seven year old in sweat pants. I certainly wouldn't assume he had "issues" or "problems". If he went to a formal event in sweats? That I might judge. But otherwise, why do people care?
I'm really surprised at the number of people who judge kids and adults on their clothing.
This.
My mind is blown reading some of these responses. My 7 year old picks out his own clothes and prefers to wear jeans. But, on PE days, I encourage him to wear athletic pants or sweats. I think his little GAP sweats are so cute! My 4 year old has skin issues so cottony pants or lined jeans are best for him. And my baby, who just turned 2, looks adorable in everything! I'm rolling my eyes at some of these responses.
I saw lots of kids in sweats this week. And I did see one kid I thought had special needs. He was seven or eight, wearing ear buds, sitting in a grocery cart, and rocking and stimming strongly while shielding his eyes from the light overhead. But he was in khakis and polos, so I could be wrong.
This whole thing feels so eye roll worthy.
But hey, I'm wearing hoody and a ponytail to work, so judge away.