Moving. When? Starting school, late pregnancy and injured husband!

[sparklehippo]

Hi all!

I'll be grateful for any advice as there are so many things that I just can't work it out.

So I am currently 27 weeks pregnant and we are in the process of selling our house (waiting for exchange date). Currently we live in Surrey but due to various issues are planning to move across country, probably to Exeter.

To throw a spanner in the works however, 5 weeks ago my husband had an accident which ended in 4 weeks of hospitalisation, numerous operations and a skin graft on his leg. Currently the most he is allowed to do is get up to get a drink or go to the loo - and I know they take months to heal properly.
Because of this we haven't actually been able to visit Exeter or choose an area or house to rent.

Our daughter is due to start primary school in a few weeks. #2 is due mid November.

What I can't decide is whether to say sod it and rent in our local area for six months, give our daughter six months to get used to the idea of school, and then move in the Spring - so she gets a term making friends at new school - or to just push and push and move to the new area now. Option 2 feels pretty stressful as assuming husband's leg is up for it I'd be driving us down on a scouting expedition at around 30 weeks and then I think we'd be moving at around...35 weeks? (true with either option I suppose).

What would other people do? (other than scream and hide in a hole and pretend none of it is happening)? 😉

Christ, I'd postpone. Too much!

We can't not move altogether unfortunately, so do you think maybe try and stay in the area?

Starting school is a really big deal and I wouldn't want my child starting at a new school half way through. I think I'd push on, find a house to rent and throw money at the rest if possible - a packing and removals firm! It can be done. I think I'd be putting the child who starts school first, though I appreciate you're v pregnant. Are you sure you'd get a place at the school you want in Exeter?

Well I'm not 100% which school we do want, as we haven't been able to visit any yet 😕 We're going to find out on Monday when my husband will be approved to move around normally, and once I know I'm going to phone the council back up and find out which schools still have places.

Totally agree that packing movers are needed! And throwing money at the problem generally, if you have any to throw.
I know what the PP means re starting school, but I do think kids adapt, and also respond to the levels of stress in the household- if you are all at breaking point it just makes thing tougher.
Talking to the council sounds like an excellent next step. Do you have a school place in your current area?
And do you have family that can help where you are going?
In the big scheme of things- you will be looking back and laughing about the craziness in a couple of years time...

We do have a current school place, in a really nice infant school with a friend of hers, which is great! No one to help where we are going but not anyone here really either... :0

In your shoes I think I'd stay put for 6 months or however long...

You could make yourself a timetable of the absolute latest deadlines for moving NOW and see how it makes you feel?
E.g.-
Day x start school
X-3 move in
X-10 choose a place to rent, put down deposit and start referencing process, book movers
X-14 get quotes from movers

If school starts on the 4th x-14 is this monday, so that is definitely the day for ringing the council re school places and estate agents re whats on their books...

Thank you :) Unfortunately moving won't be happening until completion which appears to be happening in October for some annoying reason, but I think a timetable is a Really good idea for working this out

I think if you are definitely starting school and then moving you are as well giving yourself a few months breathing space if you can. Ouf!