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Original poster

moving house - what to do with the kids

30 replies

iamaduck · 02/06/2013 12:35

Hi mumsnetters, we are moving house in the summer holidays - eeek Shock!! I know what we going to do with packing and moving etc but I'm wondering what do do about the kids. We have a 7 yr old dd, 11 yr old ds and 13 yr old dd. And a cat. What would you do on moving day regarding the kids. We haven't got any family or friends they could stay with, they all either live really far away or haven't got enough room... Hmm

Any help would be appreciated Smile

OP posts:
SavoyCabbage · 02/06/2013 12:48

I would try and find a school friend for the seven year old to go to and get the older ones to stay and help.

I helped my friend to move a few weeks ago and our two nine year olds wiped kitchen cupboards, hoovered etc.

karinmaria · 02/06/2013 12:48

The only experience I have of this is when my own parents moved when my sister and I were in similar age brackets. We helped pack the house and travelled to the new house on the train with my mum whilst my dad went with the movers.

We packed a 'goodie box' between the two of us which was clearly labelled and unpacked first in the new house. It had activity stuff, spare clothes, toiletries and snacks. We helped unpack the house and all 'camped' on mattresses for the first night and got takeaway. I remember it being a real adventure Smile

Could you do something similar? One of you drive the kids to the new house and give them jobs to do?

Exciting times for you!

poocatcherchampion · 02/06/2013 14:05

get them to help!

ItsYonliMe · 02/06/2013 14:08

You probably need to take the kids too. The new owners of your house won't want them.

mummytime · 02/06/2013 14:11

I travelled over 100 miles to look after my neocesfor the day when they were this age and SIL was moving. So ask and you may ge help.
A neighbour we didn't know that well had mine for several hours on moving day when we last moved.

Mutley77 · 02/06/2013 14:18

It sounds like you will have to keep them with you. It depends on their personalities how that will go and whether you will involve them in helping (I would have thought at least the older ones would be fine with this) or take their games consoles / a book to distract them while you are busy.

My DC's (age 4 and 8) were at school the day we moved into our new home but I had to pick them up at 3 and our removalists didn't leave until nearly 7pm. This wasn't great but fortunately they were on good form and enjoyed sorting out their bedrooms and playing with their toys - I had plenty of snacks and tried to encourage them to help me if they got bored. Tbh without the 4 year old it would have not been an issue at all!

MirandaWest · 02/06/2013 14:21

I agree that you have to take them with you Grin

When we moved 150 miles our next door neighbour took the DC for a walk for about an hour or so. It was all pretty chaotic but we managed (DC were 6 and 4) .

I'd say that with the ages of yours they should be able to be useful tbh.

Aethelfleda · 02/06/2013 14:43

Make sure you clearly label the box "KIDS: unpack within three days!!" and remember to put in pringles and coke for them (and a potty).

In all seriousness, with that age span, the big ones can help and the littlest is prob best off at a friends' house for the last packing up bit, and then coming over afterwards. Pack a box with kid-occupying stuff (colouring/DVDs/board games/cards/books, get kids to help put stuff in it) and when they get bored of helping, designate a "safe area" eg corner of new lounge, for them to sit and play/read while you get on with it. Good luck!

ProphetOfDoom · 02/06/2013 14:46

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ProphetOfDoom · 02/06/2013 14:51

This reply has been deleted

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ihearsounds · 02/06/2013 14:53

Why do you need to do anytihng with the dc's other than get them to help? Surely they will be heping pack up thier rooms, and unpacking at the other end. Plus helping load ad unload lighter things.. Isnt this the norm?

formicadinosaur · 02/06/2013 14:56

they are all old enough to help. can you keep chucking odd treats their way as rewards - mars bar, fish and chips that eve

BellaI · 02/06/2013 18:45

You could pay to put them in a Holiday Club, they do full days for about £20 around here.

Bowlersarm · 02/06/2013 18:46

All ours 'helped-haha' when we moved. I think they should be part of it.

lljkk · 02/06/2013 19:09

I moved with 4yo, 2yo & 6 week old baby. No family help although some friends helped shift boxes. Think OP is a bit of a wimp, tbh.

Sunnyshores · 02/06/2013 19:12

Personally I find these sort of stressful and time-limited situations easier without my children (maybe that says more about my kids!). But I agree that as its an emotional time for them, they should have a defined role in the move and a time where they say goodbye, rather than be spirited off never to return.

Can you not ask relatives to have them for a couple of days and drive them there? Or put some relatives up in a PremierInn near you? Or let them camp in a relatives garden if no space?

If not what about holiday clubs, we have Supercamps near us (8-6pm if needed), the leisure centre does something, the local state primary does, the local private schools, horse riding centre, museum, ....

rubyrubyruby · 02/06/2013 19:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Madamecastafiore · 02/06/2013 19:13

Get them to help you FFS. I have moved twice with smaller children than you a d they found it hugely exciting.

Last time we moved dd who was 10 packed up her own room and dusted and ran the Hoover round each room as it became empty.

DS who was 5 was in charge of something to do with removal men, opening doors or something which he took very seriously.

I really thought you were going to post that you had 3 under 5 or something like that!

rubyrubyruby · 02/06/2013 19:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsBungle · 02/06/2013 19:17

Agree, get them to help. I moved with a 3wo and a 3 yo - no-one to look after them. We did hire a removals company though so 2 men helped with the furniture and van, we just couldn't have done it otherwise. Good luck!

MrsBungle · 02/06/2013 19:18

Oh yes our dog went to kennels.

doglover · 02/06/2013 19:21

They are more than old enough to help.

wonkylegs · 02/06/2013 21:47

5yo DS is moving with us. It's important for him to be part of it especially as we are relocating away from the city he was born in.
He's extremely excited about the whole thing and wouldn't miss the lorry for the world.

AncientsOfMuMu · 03/06/2013 08:19

Put them into kennels with the dog that you are getting. (See thread in the Doghouse)Grin

HappyAsASandboy · 03/06/2013 08:24

I think you should keep them with you and let them help.

If you are going to arm the 7 year old to a friends then I think you should send them all. Your youngest will feel so left out if he is the only one to miss the move :(

We were 11 and 7 when we moved house. We helped pack up, went in the car with mum and dad, stayed overnight in a hotel between moving out and moving in days and then helped unpack at the new house. I don't think we were too much of a hindrance!

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