Been offered temporary accommodation above a shop...

[cIaire]

Very happy about this. However, how the fuck do u cope with the lack of parking and carrying shopping and a baby? Maybe I'm over thinking it but I'd probably have to park quite far away from the actual flat. Anyone have any tips for me?

Can you get shopping delivered?

I’ve always lived in flats and no car. I get shopping delivered from Tesco, the delivery pass is worth it and you can get most things there including nappies and cleaning stuff

Use the pushchair to get to the car. Put the shopping under the pushchair. Or buy a wheeled shopping trolley like you might see people use in city centres or at markets. That combines well with a baby carrier.

Don't know about parking but I've lived in a top floor flat since DS was a baby and I don't own a car. I'd pack the shopping in the bottom of the pram then wheel it inside, take the seat out the pram and carry it upstairs, leave DS upstairs strapped in while I went back down for the shopping.

Shopping delivered or small shops. I used to live in a city without a car. I'd not buy more at the shop than would fit in two shopping bags (one in each hand) and then if I had a baby, baby in sling. Or multiple trips with pushchair to the car to get the shopping and shove it inside, then you can bring it upstairs and unpack while you put baby somewhere indoors that is safe and contained.

The one thing you need is a safe place to put your baby whilst you carry things upstairs. I would bring baby, handbag and anything extra i could manage up, place baby in the cot (all on same floor) then return downstairs for rest of shopping and pushchair. I didn't drive so I was limited to what I could fit in the pram

Shopping delivered... that's a good idea didn't think of that. And it's above shop on a high street so could easily do little shops no problem.

Also I say baby, she's actually 14 months so would probably be safe enough in a play pen or something?

I lived on the third floor above a funeral parlour for several years.

We got shopping delivered and the flat came with a dedicated parking spot outside, or there was free street parking fairly nearby too.

She'll be able to toddle up the stairs in a couple of months. I was in a first floor flat above a row of shops when both mine were babies. It's fine, you get used to it. Do smaller shops, get a backpack, use a sling for the little one, get big, bulky shopping delivered.

I've been in a second floor flat with my daughter since she was born, you do get used to it! I just used to put as much as I could under the buggy and when we got home, take her up first, stick her in the cot and go back down for the shopping.

I assume OP already has a car though, bit different if you didn't have one

The parking was difficult for me OP, but only had this issue for a month as I moved to somewhere with parking. It was extra complicated by living in a CPZ.

I made it work for the month because on work days, I was able to park closer to home in the CPZ as I left before and arrived home after the hours.

Other times I parked farther away and took a bus 🫤

And yes with baby, you she's old enough for you to take her up first and put her somewhere safe (make sure you always have your keys) before making your way back down for the buggy (shopping underneath?)

When she can walk give her the loo rolls to carry, a 4 pack, they don't weigh much. Then you can carry more yourself

i live above a shop (second floor) because it’s all we can afford in our area. It’s not that bad. Shopping delivery once a week. Put baby in carrier to get them downstairs with a backpack changing bag and pram if I want it. You find ways to manage so long as you’re able bodied. Soon your baby presumably will be able to get themselves up and down the stairs too so that will help.