Ok, so I'm moving next week.. How can I make this easier?

[maGicGift]

We are moving out of our 2 bedroom flat into a wonderful, forever, 5 bedroom house.

But oh my goodness this is stressfull, I have a DD 7 and DS 9mnths, we have got the packers coming on monday to pack us, I know I'm lucky we are getting packers, but how do I know what to get them to not pack, should I go out or stay in?

On tuesday - move day - my DP is working 8am till 8pm so I am over seeing the move, help! I'll need to do the school runs and see to DS, does anyone have any tips as to how to make this less stressfull?

If we get the keys at midday (is there usually a delay with this?) how long do you think it will take the removals people to get all our boxes into the house?

Sorry for so many questions, I sound like a blithering idiot!

Why on earth is your dp working on the day you move house?

I would make sure that you have anything that the packers should not pack - baby stuff, school clothes, favourite toys etc clearly identified/out of the way so they can't get packed by mistake. Then leave them to it, and provide cups of tea!! I don't think you have to go out but you hovering over them won't help either.

The move was quite spontanious, and he has all his leave booked already, absolutley no way he can be off unless he paid a locum around £900 for the day! Which is why he is paying for someone to do the packing for us.

I am seriously regretting doing this without him being off now, is this a really bad idea? Ive got no family around and my friends are working or have babies. I am trying to persuade a friend to take a sicky to help..

As you have movers doing the packing and moving it shouldn't be too bad.

Can you organise childcare for your youngest for the day?

I would set your expectations of what you will get done very low. Beds made up for the evening at the new house and tea/drink making facilities out in kitchen. Chippy for tea. Sounds like a very postive move so focus on that.

Thank you, maybe it'll be okay. Its good you think I can stay in while they pack then my baby can have his nap as normal.

Tried to book him into his usual childminders but she cant take him.

I think you are right, just focus on getting the beds made.

Going to be doing the same most likely - and I don't drive so will have to use the bus to get keys.

I have some cheap silver plastic boxes and I was going to put everything I don't want packed in those or in the boot of our car. I also have 2 indoor cats but I hope I will be able to get a friend to take them! I can manage my DD but I think the bus driver might be upset if I turned up with a buggy and 2 cat boxes!

I would strongly advise packing an overnight bag - much as you would if you were going away for a weekend, but including bedding and towels. Sometimes things go "missing" in the muddle and it is great to have the absolute essentials - ie night clothes, clean pants and toothbrushes, in a suitcase that you have taken to the new house for yourself.

I speak from experience here. Last time we moved the dc were just over 3 yrs, and 6 months, so we had packers (who were excellent) but didn't necessarily label all the boxes very clearly.

On moving day, the first time buyers' solicitors in our chain were utterly incompetent and the exchange of money up the chain was delayed from 12 noon to 5.30 , meaning we were all packed up but had nowhere to go.

When we eventually got into our house it was chaotic (especially with the children being the ages they were) and we had no time to unpack anything.

By the following morning I was absolutely desperate to brush my teeth but couldn't even begin to locate the bathroom boxes. So I sent dh out to local shops to buy new toothbrushes for us all. Imagine how delighted I was when he returned triumphant with three toothbrushes ... but NO FEKKING TOOTHPASTE! Oh that goes down in history as just about the most incompetent he has been in a long line of incompetentness.

Anyway, back to you op: I do sincerely hope it all goes really well for you and your move in to your 5 bedroom house.

On moving day ignore public transport and treat yourself to taxis. And have laptop or similar with a film to entertain DD if she is going to hinder more than help with the unpacking. Make sure your moblie is charged and you have the number of the local take away, estate agents, movers etc.

Know where the toilet paper is. Also chargers for phones and computers. Good luck with the move.

i agree footballfriendsays though id add kettle,mug and tbags and lightbulbs.hate finding out[when its dark]bloody bulbs dont work and i havent the foggiest where the blazes spares are!

These are really useful posts - a taxi hadn't even entered into my head stupidly.

I think I might start some lists.

If I were you I really would try to offload DS for a few hours at least! Would a local friend have him for a bit? One of the ones with a baby themselves could manage for a while maybe?

Yes, yes, yes to putting essentials in the car, else they will get packed. The packers will descend like locusts and clear rooms very quickly - you shouldn't need to do anything, just let them get on with it! Leave tea, coffee making stuff, biscuits, anything you need for ds in box in kitchen with big label on "Not to be packed!" In my experience the packers were careful to not pack the source of cups of tea! You can bung that in car at the end.

What you will need to do though is clean, it's horrific what is found behind wardrobes etc. You can do it room by room as they pack, but that will be a nightmare with ds in tow. If you can't offload him it might save your sanity to hire a cleaner to come in for a couple of hours - probably wouldn't be too expensive. Have cleaning kit, hoover etc in car until you need it.

Just keeping reminding yourself it is one day and will be over soon! Good luck in the forever house!

Is there a friend you could go and camp out at while they move - - and possibly stay over the night with on the monday night
and cleaner sounds like a really good idea -