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

I looked after the baby and made tea- it was much appreciated.

I would just ask your DS what they would like you to do. I suspect keeping the little one entertained would be a priority and keeping out of everyone's way!
Very exciting for you all!

I think you are absolutely right - make DGS your responsibility. His mum and dad will know what needs to be done, what goes where etc etc. Knowing one little boy isn't getting packed into a crate by accident will be much appreciated.

Probably some tea making duties will also be welcomed.

When I moved here from outside the city a dear friend made huge trays of sandwiches, some homemade cakes and flasks of coffee. DD had gone to the supermarket and got stuff I like, non-essentials.
I kept DGS, 10 months old happy, and stayed out of the way. It went well but probably easier then as we could have as many people round as we wanted.

Ask them what they would like you to do. If they have arranged for the wee one to be elsewhere for the day, then cleaning each room of the old house as it is emptied is helpful. Making tea and bringing sandwiches for lunch is also useful. If you are looking after your dgs, then do so at your house as the chaos could be very unsettling for him. Hope it goes well.

I don’t think you need to keep the little chap entertained, I think he needs to be removed from the area altogether! Is it possible to take him out for the day? It’s surprising how small a flat/house/mansion can be when people are moving boxes and furniture!

I would imagine keeping DGS out of the way & provide food & drink! But ask your DS & DiL , in advance, exactly what you asked us! They may have made arrangements for DGS and wish to use you as a cleaner of cupboards & drawers....

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.

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

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

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.....

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

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!

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

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!

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 !

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

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

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.

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 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.

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

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

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