How to survive your first KIT day

Many of us have to go back to work. A key step in the process is the KIT day. Here is a post where I share mine with some tips to survive it.

Before the KIT day

I am sure you are all aware of what it stands for: keeping in touch day or basically, mummy goes back to work for some days while she is on maternity leave.

My boss texted me last week to ask if I was able to attend the next training day at school. The focus was on the new GCSE that I will teach when I am back to work. When I saw the message, I didn’t even consult Grumpy Boyfriend. Straight away, I answered saying that I was in. Pas de problème.

I  mean, seriously. How could I refuse such an opportunity to spend an entire day with adults? Imagine, I would also aim to use my brain cells! No moutarde to clean up, no mashed potatoes to serve to Baba at lunch, which will mainly end up on my clothes or on his hands anyway…

I was so excited about it all: seeing my friends and colleagues, catching up on any gossip missed since I left school last December. Discussing ideas and strategies to put into place in our scheme of work … I was like a little girl who was offered to go to DisneyLand.

How to prepare for it

Now, ladies, there are some rules or precautions to take when you go to a KIT day. Preparation is key so that it is a successful moment. You are now used to a different lifestyle. Still in your pyjamas at 10 in the morning, no makeup in the daytime are some examples of your new life.

So I prepared as much as I could for my KIT day. First, I chose my outfit very carefully. Dans ce cas, a summery dress that showed my tanned and toned arms. Yes, now that I am at home all day, I have more time to exercise and I am in a better shape that I have been before falling pregnant. I also chose carefully the colours, pink, so that my tanning (endless walks with Baba) was evident.

Basically, you need to sell it to your colleagues: the life of a mummy at home is parfaite and all you do is having fun. Wash carefully your hair, straighten it if necessary. Put some nail varnish on. You need to pretend that you have the time to do all these things every day. Shave your legs and prepare a healthy lunch that shows that you are in control with your body. In two words, you need to look like the following: YOU ROCK! No dribbles, no vomit, no bag under your eyes (get a good concealer!). You are selling the life of a SAHM. It might not be such a fairy tale as you were hoping when you became pregnant but just pretend.

The second phase of preparation involves more le bébé. First time ever that Grumpy Boyfriend was going to be in charge of Baba, so I made his life as easy as possible. The following was organised: milk in the fridge, snacks were made obvious in the kitchen and pointed out to the man of the house just in case… I got out an extra outfit in case of an accident. I got the toys all in a box on the sofa in case Grumpy Boyfriend needed to entertain the little one. My laptop was charged up if he wanted to put Baba in front of cartoons and he could get on with his work.

The KIT day in itself

Get up before dawn so that you can do some blogging before going to work. It will remind you how lucky you are not to work and be able to write about all sorts of things that people love reading about. In other words, you will believe that you are a creative and intelligent adult.

You are all set up. You have your pens and notebooks like you are a trainee again. Baba is dressed in an easy outfit to take off and put back on for the boyfriend. You had your dose of coffee and you are ready to go. A million of kisses for le petit and last recommendations to Monsieur before you leave and off we go.

A smile on, you make sure you come and say hello to everyone at work, even the ones you don’t like. Especially the ones you don’t like just to put in their face how happy you are and make them feel super jealous ?.

When your colleagues ask about how you cope with it all, just be very nonchalante. You don’t want to show off too much as you know that they are already deadly jealous. Share with them some pictures of your bébé because he is gorgeous and you want to show him/ her off. But not too many, they might get bored.

Make a quick allusion about your blog. You are even allowed to mention the magic words ‘freelance writer’. It looks cool and trendy. Yes, you are not only a maman; you are also a savvy business woman who deals successfully with a lot of things, like writing and social media. Your boss might hear you out and get scared that you don’t want to come back to work later on and offer you a promotion the same evening. Pourquoi pas? Just lie to him and say that your blog attracts more than 3000 visitors a month. He will be amazed for sure.

Enjoy the compliments about your baby. Yes, your son/daughter is gorgeous and you are the happiest woman on earth. Don’t mention the cries, the sleepless nights, the mess in your house because you became quickly bored of cleaning. To your colleagues’ eyes, you are a wonder woman.

Listen carefully to what is said in the meetings you attend. But allow yourself to daydream and think how lucky you are not to have to put up with that all day. Take some notes to pretend you have some interest and bring some ideas on so that you show you still have it and the company can’t surely replace you!

During the day, you are permitted to call whoever is looking after your trésor, once, twice, even 5 times if you want. You just want to make sure Baba is still alive (I mean he was with Grumpy Boyfriend so it was a necessity to check for me!). Plus people at work will think that you are the most caring and loving mum.

After the KIT day

Come home looking fresh as a daisy, but deep-down knackered. You had to walk around in high-heels all day for the first time in months! Rush home to kiss heavily your baby. Personally, my after KIT day moment was very disappointed. Baba barely kissed me. I have been told it’s a great thing, as Baba is proving to be independent, but I am a bit sad about it…

Screenshot_2
L’ingrat! He didn’t even seem sad I was gone all day ?

Horreur, he had a fun day with Papa! ? He didn’t even bother pretending that he missed me and Grumpy Boyfriend could not stop saying how good he had been all day. I know I am mean but I would have loved Baba being a bit more difficult so that my partner could have more sympathy for me next time I moan when I feel fatiguée

The day is over. Everything was fine. Pour yourself some wine while your other half cooks you dinner. That’s the least he can do when you had a long day. Plus you had to clean up the mess in Baba’s room: poo on the mat, over the walls and other wonders I will spare you. Grumpy Boyfriend still needs some practice with moutarde situations and how to deal with them without making a mess.

You super girl, you made it! You survived! And you are so happy to be home, your bras and your shoes off (yes, you are already back in your leggings because they are so comfy!).

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39 Comments

  1. rightroyalmother
    July 18, 2016 / 5:15 am

    Ahah! Brilliant. You work in a school – me too – and blimey those children and adults seem so capable now I have two under three!! Well done for coping so excellently and hope the moutarde situation wasn’t TOO hideous 🙂 #MarvMondays

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 18, 2016 / 5:19 am

      It wasn’t that bad even if I despair to see Grumpy Boyfriend improving… Thanks for reading

  2. July 18, 2016 / 5:43 am

    I feel like I’ve missed out not doing a KIT day at work – I was in denial about going back and feel like it was easier to just throw myself back into it when I return on Thursday (eek – possibly regretting that decision right now!) Sounds like you had a fab day, and Grumpy Boyfriend coped better than expected (I totally get that you wish Baba was just a tiny bit more difficult for him though!) #MarvMondays

  3. Mama, my kid doesn't poop rainbows
    July 18, 2016 / 7:32 am

    Sounds like you aced it. I didn’t have a KIT day and on my first day I leaked breast milk all over my black top and spent the day hiding my chest behind a textbook hoping my 5th graders wouldn’t notice. Poise and grace were never my friends.

    #fartglitter

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 18, 2016 / 8:11 am

      At least you survived it. I really enjoyed it but was so happy to get home. I am not sure it will be the same when I get back to work for good in January ? Thanks for reading x

  4. charlotte
    July 18, 2016 / 3:50 pm

    I only have 2months mat leave left, I really should arrange some KIT days. I am not looking forward to it. Thanks for the advice #fartglitter

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 18, 2016 / 5:51 pm

      Good luck, I am sure you will be fine xx

  5. July 18, 2016 / 4:26 pm

    I’m self employed so KIT days for me involved just being by myself to actually get some work done – bliss! #fartglitter

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 18, 2016 / 5:51 pm

      Lucky I am so jealous xx

  6. Becky (And Then There Were Two)
    July 18, 2016 / 6:31 pm

    Ah I still kind of feel like this every time I go to work (3 days a week – second bebe is nearly 18 months). It’s such a strange thing – torn between wanting to be surrounded by adults and drink warm tea and wanting to be with your baby #fartglitter

  7. organisedjo
    July 18, 2016 / 7:47 pm

    Sounds like you aced it! It used to wind me up that when I came home after spending s day away thinking about the girls they would just throw me a ‘hi mum’ over their shoulder and just go back to what they are doing!! I mean really!! Hope you enjoy your next KIT day as much. #MarvMondays

  8. Kaye
    July 19, 2016 / 5:24 am

    I’ve never had or heard of a KIT day though I do work for quite a small business. Brill tips though, and the worst is when baby had had so much fun they haven’t stopped to miss you. ? #dreamteam

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 19, 2016 / 6:34 am

      I know it’s terrible but he still loves me so I forgive him. Thanks for stopping by x

  9. vanityandmeblog
    July 19, 2016 / 5:55 am

    Oh this takes me back ! I remember it well, trying to get out the door looking like a yummy mummy for the school run. Looking like everything was so perfect . I always dreaded the thought of anyone suggested a mummy coffee morning Because of the stateam of the house ! It was either me or the house that was tidy, I could never manage both !
    http://www.vanityandmestyle.com

  10. July 19, 2016 / 7:07 am

    I think on my next kit days I’ll be in blooming mandatory training in my uniform! Ha no nail polish or glam clothes! What a shame 🙂 glad yours went so well. My daughter was never bothered when I came home from work either! Loved daddy…boooo! Great tips X #twinklytuesday

  11. July 19, 2016 / 8:14 am

    I’m not doing a KIT day purely because of childcare. But really I think I’m delaying the enviable. September is coming around the corner and the return to work is looming! Glad it went well for you. Your little boy is such a beauty! #dreamteam

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 19, 2016 / 8:17 am

      Good luck with the return to work. I am sure you will be fine xx

  12. Kaye
    July 19, 2016 / 10:39 am

    Hi love, have already visited and loved this post but here I am from #MarvMondays too. Thanks for linking up with us! Kaye xo

  13. July 19, 2016 / 8:48 pm

    It’s been so long since I did a KIT day! I do remember it being fairly easy, especially because you don’t have to have full day. I remember the going back for good much harder but they are defiitely a good introduction back into the workplace! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

  14. My Petit Canard
    July 19, 2016 / 9:50 pm

    He, he! I love this post. It sounds like your KIT day went very well 😉 I remember taking mine the first time round and enjoying it exactly the same. For a day you get to go and play being grown up again, and then you get to come home to your darling and appreciate even more the last few weeks/months of maternity leave before you properly return to work. Fab post! Emily #TwinklyTuesday

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 19, 2016 / 10:52 pm

      Exactly! just home from a night out with work tonight and I feel so out of the gang…I will enjoy every moment even the difficult ones x

  15. July 20, 2016 / 5:25 am

    I LOVE this post! There are some great tips in there, I think you must have totally rocked it. I personally like working part time as it means I get out of the house to spend time with adults….proper conversation and get to feel like ‘me’ for a while. Mwah xxx

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 20, 2016 / 6:45 am

      Thanks for stopping by xx

  16. andanothertenthings
    July 20, 2016 / 8:10 am

    I remember my first KIT day – I was still breastfeeding and my boobs felt like they were going to explode. It was great to be in adult company again though and it turned out I was capable of making decision that weren’t solely based around baked beans and nappies! #bloggerclubuk

  17. July 20, 2016 / 8:39 am

    Ah well done for surviving your KIT day – you always sound so cool, composed and elegant! I can imagine it must be so fab to have adult company for a whole day, but you might miss bebe a little more than you’d expect too! Thanks so much for linking up to #dreamteam Great to have you xx

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 20, 2016 / 8:49 am

      Well I am not that elegant but thank you for the compliment ?

  18. July 20, 2016 / 11:15 am

    You sound so organised – I’m incredibly jealous haha! I worked from home before having my son and it’s proving so difficult getting into a routine to start work again. I applaud you! #TuesdayTreasures

  19. theirishbabyfairy
    July 21, 2016 / 12:55 pm

    Very good, you are definitely a super mum! I’m half excited and half dreading going back to work in November. Don’t think we get a KIT day so it will be straight in at the deep end! #ablogginggoodtime

    • thefrenchiemummy
      Author
      July 21, 2016 / 3:02 pm

      You will be fine. Good luck with it all. Thanks for stopping by xx

  20. July 21, 2016 / 4:22 pm

    I was never notified as to if I had any of these and when they were. Thank you for enlightening us as to what they are and what your experience was. #MarvMondays

  21. absolutely prabulous
    July 22, 2016 / 11:15 pm

    Bravo, glad you got through it #MarvMondays

  22. mummyfever
    July 23, 2016 / 8:03 am

    That photo makes me chuckle – classic. I remember the KIT days well, I ended up doing quite a few as they basically hadn’t advanced any of my projects in my absence. Thanks for linking to #sharewithme

  23. Double the Monkey Business
    July 24, 2016 / 6:53 am

    Well done, sounds like you nailed it 🙂 Glad your boyfriend coped ok! #MarvMondays

  24. July 25, 2016 / 9:55 am

    well done super lady for making it through your KIT day. I am sorry you are sad but I am sure that little man did miss you but maybe he was putting on a brave face or enjoying the novelty of Papa. I am sure in his head he probably gave you an extra big hug!!

    Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime !!

  25. July 25, 2016 / 9:36 pm

    Another great post, Thanks so much for joining in with #TuesdayTreasures

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