What’s the most useful thing you can do when asked to help on house moving day!

I have 13 moves under my belt?.
Always make the beds as soon as you can, nothing worse than bed making when exhausted!
Have a picnic lunch sorted.
Make sure you have a tool kit, cleaning kit and obviously tea, coffee, sugar and biscuits.
Good luck.

Make up your bed in the new house.

When we last moved house OH was working abroad. My mum helped me to pack and stayed overnight. When we arrived at the new house it was filthy. Mum got on with the cleaning. I had left our old house so clean you could have eaten off the floor! A friend brought round a delicious lunch for us. My daughter helped with the move a d a friend looked after my two sons for the day. The removal men were brilliant. In fact everyone mucked in. Maybe people felt sorry for me as OH went away before contracts were exchanged and came home three days after we moved. He couldn’t remember the address to give to the taxi driver.

We very recently moved into a spotlessly clean, brand new house. We moved ourselves so it was exhausting and back breaking. As we moved so far away from family and friends we were very much on our own. Anyway, the point is that we were too busy to stop to make cups of tea, sandwiches, get some fresh groceries etc. By the end of the first day I was so tired I couldn't even make a decent meal. So, if all you do is make tea, sandwiches and cook a nice supper I am sure that will help masses.

Especially one that can carry a baby round on her back whilst hoovering.
And stirring a bit pot of something delicious on the stove with the other hand!

MerylStreep

Callistamon
Such a shame your in lockdown ? otherwise I'd be there in a shot.

I think my mum brought the wrong baby home, you must be my mum's daughter, Meryl!

Oops, can't be, I was born at home. I just didn't inherit her cleaning gene.
Ps I do do it, but don't enjoy it.

Everyone needs a meryl when they move. Especially one that can carry a baby round on her back whilst hoovering.

A bottle of Champagne to celebrate when it’s all over?

Keep plenty of tea flowing and look after the grand child. I would keep well away from any heaving lifting.

Callistamon
Such a shame your in lockdown ? otherwise I'd be there in a shot.

I would ask your son what he would like you to do.

When we’ve helped ours it has been cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. Two full days of it in one case We also had a box in the car of essentials for drinks, just in case, went out for food as needed and generally poured oil on the waters. Only unpacked anything when asked to do so, nothing worse than someone else organising your belongings. Oh, and try not to break anything. There was one occasion when Mr C managed to break a window - you can imagine how that helped . Even if you feel stressed don’t show it, calm is contagious. I’m sure it will be fine, we’ve enjoyed helping, odd though it may sound.

When I moved in here 20+ years ago, I agree, one of the first things I did was make up a bed and also made sure milk etc was in plentiful supply. A friend organised a takeaway during the evening because by then I had had enough and that was a fabulous gesture.

When I downsized 20 years ago, my friend came to lend a hand. We were just beginning to relax when the estate agent phoned to tell me the buyers expected me to remove the hall, stairs and landing carpet. I was sure that the carpets were part of the sale, but was informed that they were not. So we set to and eventually got the whole lot into a skip which fortunately hadn't yet been removed. The underlay was disintegrating and had to be swept up as we went along. If my friend had not been there, I would have been disintegrating too.

I hope so, too. Can’t cope with any more second hand stress!

I imagine they would mist like help in looking after your DGS. I would pack a box with cloths and cleaning essentials plus biscuits, kettle and drink making essentials. A small new toy to keep DGS interested and otherwise help cleaning. Hope they are happy in their new home

Ha ha this rings bells. My DIL ended up having to be away on moving day...I took 1 year old out for the day, then joined DS at the new house put baby to bed unpacked for 3 hours, got up to baby at 4 a.m. exhausting but lovely to be needed !

MerylStreep

The last 2 times my daughter moved I cleaned from top to bottom. I'm not a saint ? I like cleaning.

Yes, please come here too!

Be in charge of the box with kettle, cups, spoons, tea etc, don’t forget milk. Ditto any important keys/paperwork.

One thing that I do when moving house is make it a priority to make up the bed in the new house!

It's very easy to focus on where the furniture is going to go, and sorting the kitchen etc, then stagger exhausted upstairs to be faced with a bed you have to make before you can get into it!

Meryl /Kate
Don't forget to drop into the conversation your going rate! Our DD just paid £170 for a move out clean.
W

I think he’ll be at nursery so it looks like cleaning and feeding will be the main jobs! Many thanks for all the advice. We don’t live in their area unfortunately but will be staying a few nights with them in the new abode. But not overstaying our welcome, obviously.....

MerylStreep, my address is ....., feel free to come around anytime ?

The last 2 times my daughter moved I cleaned from top to bottom. I'm not a saint ? I like cleaning.

Your last sentence is correct. Collect your DGS and keep out of the way!
It all goes much smoother with the fewer people around the better.
Save the food for when they arrive at their new place.
Good luck.