Organising for a Move - helpful tips pls

[scrappydappydoo]

Well we'r on the move - after initially agreeing that we'd pay movers to pack dh has now said its too expensive so we're going to have to do it by myself ourselves over half term with a 2 and 4 yr old hanging about. My mum is going to have dds over the weekend we actually move but can't help beyond that.
SO organise me - what do I need to do - place is a tip (we have got sort of lax since knowing house is sold )
TIA

Ok sdd, here goes! Get your mail redirected. It takes a week or so to set up so pick up the form from the PO asap.
Get as many boxes and binbags as possible before you start. Declutter/pack/throw away/charity shop/freecycle room by room and cupboard by cupboard. Leave yourself with basics and no more than 6 sets of clothing for each of you. One set of cutlery/plates etc plus one spare. Knowing you will have to pack and lift it all is a great way to work out what you truly need! Pack all kids toys that won't fit in one box- that box goes with them to your mums on moving weekend. Change all bedding 2-3 days before you move and get all the laundry done.
Pack a box with water,paper plates, a set of cutlery,snacks (fruit, crisps, biscuits) the kettle and cups/tea/sugar etc. Add a dishcloth and cleaning fluid, both types of screwdriver, allen keys, lightbulbs, mobile charger, a clean top each, sellotape, plasters and paracetamol!
On the day, tape up lids to everything loose in fridge and move it as it is (take it out last).
Peel your bedding into a roll so that the bottom sheet is outside and pillows are buried in the middle.
When you get there, make up the beds as soon as you've had a drink and plugged in the fridge. The bedding can just be unrolled into place.
That way you can collapse when you've had enough.
Sure there's much more but that will start you off. I don't envy you!

Bloody 'el married...you're an expert, thought I may be able to help, but now I'm bookmarking for more of your expertise!

I almost forgot- label EVERY box. Mark them by the room they're for and number them. Catalogue the contents in a notepad- which lives in the 'essentials' box. Sounds a bit anal but my mum had 40 boxes of china alone when she moved and it was so much easier to work out what she needed to unpack and what could wait that way.

Great advice thanks married - I am especially liking the bed roll idea...
I am thinking of getting some coloured stickers (any excuse to get more stationery) and assigning each room a colour so red boxes go in the red room etc
Any tips on occupying the kids so they don't unpack as I pack??

have you got a garage/dining room/spare room downstairs?

at you pack each box, put them all in this one place. saves the rest of the house being full of boxes and gives clarity to the situation.

do a little each night, when we have moved, i have always packed the kitchen first- because for me that is really time consuming- do it after the kids are in bed- ditto chucking away all their tat- less traumatic and arguments.

it sounds trite but if you do half an hour each evening by half term you will only need do the last minute stuff and sweep up the kids toys,

from experience i would do kids packing last. if you do the rest of it in the evening gradually they will hardly notice, once you start packing their stuff they will assume they are moving tommorrow and start fretting about stuff being missed.

how to entertain? ceebeebies and chocolate buttons

Also
Keep bedding, box of stuff for drinks (mugs, kettle, tea, coffee and biscuits), overnight bags, in the car WITH YOU if you can. So that you're not looking thru everything else

Also as you pack now, put away less used stuff and unpack in revese order
E.g. "best china/books that never get read" get done now and don't need to be unpacked right away at destination.

How far away are you moving to? Can you get a MNer from the area to recommend some swings or something nearby that DH/Gps can take the kids to so you can get to unpacking?
Also a good takeaway place for your first night?
HTH and good luck with the move.