Bare minimum to take to new place for DC

[BareMinimum]

Starting from scratch in a new place with DC, at short notice, what is the bare minimum to take with you? DC pre-school, primary and secondary.

Anyone know of any online resources for this situation?

Are you fleeing in an emergency situation? Here's a list:

• Some form of identification.
• Birth certificates for you and your children.
• Passports (including passports for all your children), visas and work permits.
• Money, bankbooks, cheque book and credit and debit cards.
• Keys for house, car & place of work. (You could get an extra set of keys cut, and put them in your emergency bag).
• Cards for payment of Child Benefit and any other welfare benefits you are entitled to.
• Driving licence (if you have one) and car registration documents, if applicable.
• Prescribed medication.
• Copies of documents relating to your housing tenure for example, mortgage details or lease and rental agreements.
• Insurance documents, including national insurance number.
• Address book.
• Family photographs, your diary, jewellery, small items of sentimental value.
• Clothing and toiletries for you and your children.
• Your children’s favourite small toys.

https://www.waveneydvforum.org.uk/leaving-safely/

Or are you seeking out stuff for your new place? There are tonnes of community facebook groups for free stuff. If you search things like 'free stuff families' or 'community aid + your local area'. Also Gumtree Freebies section, or charities like https://www.home-start.org.uk/ can help

All the best for your move!

Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry, I should’ve been clear, it’s not a ‘leaving safely’ situation of that sort. It’s trying to figure out how to salvage some normality in reduced circumstances, what from our old life we most need to take with us - what matters and what doesn’t - so we can keep a thread as we start again.

I couldn't think where to post. The practicalities overlap somewhat. (There’s no section for people who screwed up life all by themself and it seemed a bit heavy for Chat.)

Sounds like you're being very hard on yourself? Self-compassion is one of the most valuable things we can model for our kids.

How old are your DC? Can they have some input about what to bring so that they have a sense of ownership and control over the situation? Maybe they could pack their own bag?

If you're getting rid of stuff could it take the edge off for them if they do a car boot sale and get to keep the money?

Children see their things as a part of themselves, so give lots of validation if they're finding it hard to lose stuff.

I guess the bare minimum is things that make it feel like home - same blanket, some same things on the wall? At least 5-7 outfits each if you're getting rid of clothes?

Something that looks the same - picture(s)
Something that feels the same- pillow/pillowcase, blanket. For younger children have Something already used by them/you for the first night, not something fresh from the laundry.
Something that smells the same - soap, washing powder, shampoo (obv cab be bought new if necessary)