starting to pack, where do I start !!

[tickleyourpickle]

We're moving in 3 weeks.
We have 2 DCs, 3&5 and I have inconveniently broken my hand

DH works long hours so it's pretty much left to me to pack our house up with 2 DCs and a broken hand

I don't want to disturb the childrens stuff too much and would like to do their rooms last so as not to cause too much change for them but their stuff will probably take the longest to sort!

I have boxes, tape, big labels ect any other handy tips about what I will need?

[wowfudge]

Sorry, but I have to disagree with your top tip Doreen. Put the bedding - pillows in pillow cases, duvets in duvet covers - in bin liners and take in the car. That way you can easily and quickly make up the beds in the new house with no need to find the bedding.

As for the freezer, etc - run down supplies and set to defrost a couple of days before moving day. Empty, clean and leave door ajar, but switched off if possible. If it's a fridge freezer and clean and empty it won't come to any harm over a few hours with no power supply.

[tickleyourpickle]

Wow thanks everyone, some really good tips there.
We're not short on funds, we could afford the packers. I spoke to DH about it last night and he's still adamant we can do it ourselves yet again though, he is at work.
I do think i can pack ourselves up over the next 2 weeks, but he isn't considering things like moving the washing machine / fridge freezer ect which I'm going to be no help with.

I'm making the most of the nice weather and sorting the garden out whilst the kids play.

My "tip" pile is mounting!

[CiderwithBuda]

What is his objection?

You physically can't and shouldn't be lifting heavy stuff with a broken hand.
You have two young children.
He is working.

I'd be telling him I wasn't moving!

I agree you can get organised and declutter and pack smaller items but you cannot physically help,shift heavy furniture up and down stairs and into and out of a van.

He is mad.

[DoreenLethal]

Sorry, but I have to disagree with your top tip Doreen

Your method is fine if you can run down all the food a few days beforehand. I tend to work for a living and don't have the time to do the defrost a few days beforehand so bunging the bedding into the swiftly emptied fridge/freezer has saved me from having to faff about many times.

I spoke to DH about it last night and he's still adamant we can do it ourselves

When he says 'we' he means 'you' right? Nice.

[wowfudge]

Moving house is a big undertaking. I think your DH would be viewing things very differently if he had a broken hand. In your shoes I'd be telling him I wasn't going to jeopardise my future health because he was being 1) mean over money and 2) unrealistic.

[wowfudge]

Doreen - I work full time too, it's just about planning. Running down the contents of a freezer can be done over a longer period of time. Moving a freezer which is full of ice and bits of food with used bed linen inside sounds rank if I'm honest. Plus it does not make making up beds at the other end easy.

[tickleyourpickle]

I've just asked how on earth he is going to even consider moving all the heavy stuff, apparently he's getting his mates and brothers to help.

I think I might just go out for the day on completion and let him deal with it all, then when he's all stressed and knackered I shall be sat sipping my gin complete a smug face

[AlisonWunderland]

Sounds like a plan. You need to look after the kids....

[orchidnap]

Your poor buyers won't be impressed when they come to move in and find your overwhelmed dp trying to shove stuff in a van!

[JT05]

You must use packers! It is madness not to! Beg, steal or borrow the extra money!!
Especially, with your broken hand and small children. Unpacking will be bad enough.

We had packers and storage when we last moved, years ago. Our children were little. It was wonderful, they packed everything they came across. ( including the children's sweets!😪 )

We are moving again, a few days after you. This time there are only the two of us, both able bodied, but we are using the packing service again.

[Janecc]

Well done for getting rid of a bunch of stuff. Your dh is not acting in your best interest as a family I'm afraid. Movers aren't actually that dear if you shop around. We have always used packers. If he wants to do the move yourselves, I would tell him you're take the kids to your parents or on holiday somewhere out of the way from himand he can do it himself undisturbed and without distractions.

[Janecc]

I mean he packs the boxes as well.

[goldenlilliesdaffodillies]

We are also moving in just over 2 weeks. The amount of clutter which needs sorting/getting rid of is so overwhelming. We are getting packers but I still don't know where to start so have been tackling a cupboard at a time.

Good luck!

[Fedupofallthemud]

We are also moving at some point in next 2 weeks (assuming money for final instalment of self build comes through on time)
We are in rental at the moment so a lot of our stuff is in storage so unpacking once we move will be a bigger job than the move itself.
I've been decluttering for a year in preparation but may get rid of any other few things before we actually move.
I think packing up the kitchen will be the biggest challenge as I have a lot of big heavy pots etc. planning to pack ourselves but removals doing the moving
Marking place for good tips!! (Have already been working on the freezer wowfudge )