job transfer 5 hours away bummed (packing, movers, truck, UPS)

[lislemom]

My husband is being transferred from chicago suburbs to the des moines area. Both sides of our family is here. I don't want to move. My 8 yr old is really mad to leave her best friend. My 3 yr old doesn't know the difference. But, i cannot imagine being away from family like my best friend my sister. I wanted my kids to grow up with cousins like i did. We are in an amazing school district. I love our house.

i have been going thru closets and purging
what a job

moving breakable inherited non replaceable items to in laws because i don't trust movers.

I can't imagine when the movers come in and take over the packing


do i put things like a set a of sheets and blankets for all the beds and things we will need right away in our car so i can find them when we get there

what did you keep and not let the movers take with them

jaime

[lislemom]

.

[flyonpa]

When I moved (Corp re-loc) The only thing I took with me in the car, was my computer, (but not the monitor or printer). My File of Papers, and some non/replaceable items. Everything else when in the truck.

Distance of the move is also a factor, Once i left there was no coming back for 2nd load of importain stuff, so what I could take had to fit in my Car, so I had to think What will I need for the week until my stuff gets delivered, and nother week or so for me to unpack/find it. So I had to weigh space in car vs value (and since i had a overnight on the way here would it be safer in the truck, or locked in my car in a hotel parking lot).

Move day, Movers showed up at 8am 3 guys, packed everything, by lunch time, after lunch they loaded the truck, (3bedroom house). at about 4p the truck left, I was sitting in the front stoop of my now empty house, waiting for the UPS guy to deliver the one last package.

[lislemom]

very stressed we have 2 kids 3 and 8
a 5 bedroom house full of stuff
the thought of having to unpack and organize a new house is overwhelming and like i said we have a lot of non replacable inherited stuff that will have to go to my inlaws to be brought out a little at a time
tying to make a list of stuff i need to have when we get there like sheets towels blankets coffee maker etc

[M_P_E]

Sounds like you don't want to move, so don't move. Find another job for your husband and yourself, and stay put.

[Wmsn4Life]

Based on your older posts, it sounds like you've known about this for a while but are feeling depressed about it as the move actually approaches. If you are stressed about the move, it will rub off on your kids. If you try to make it more of an adventure, they will enjoy it more.

Like you said, your 3-year-old won't know the difference. In a year, your 8-yr-old will barely remember her "best friend." Kids are very resilient, but they also pick up on stress and anxiety from you. If you're moaning about the move all the time, they will too. If you talk positively about the new destination and show your 8-yr-old some of the new places online, she will get excited about it. Acknowledge that it will be difficult, but it also will have benefits she hasn't even thought about.

Focus on the tasks at hand. Since your sister is close, get her to watch the kids while you organize and pack.

Absolutely do not leave anything remotely valuable for the movers to pack. Pack all that stuff yourself, then if they are family heirlooms, they probably will not be necessary to daily life in your new home anyway. So leave them boxed up until you get the house basics set up, then carefully unpack and arrange them after a couple of weeks.

There are TONS of checklists online to help you get organized. Here is a good start:
Moving Checklist | Real Simple

The best part about moving is that it's a chance to PURGE. Get rid of stuff you don't need.

Yes, you should set aside stuff you will need the first few days: including medicines and kid's medical and school records. Your personal banking and insurance info. Start a folder for that stuff.

You can do this, but you have to convince yourself that you can. Maybe your sister can come visit after a week or so to help you get settled too. But you need to try to focus on some positives in your new place so your kids will feel positive about it too. Plus the best part about little kids is that they make it easy to meet other moms/friends at the playground, school etc.

[Crazee Cat Lady]

How did the transfer go?
The most important thing is attitude - try to be excited about the adventure and
the possibilities and don't dwell on everything you feel you are leaving behind.
This time will give you and your husband and your children time to bond even closer.
And just imagine all the fun and adventures you will have exploring your new environment!

(I don't live in the same city that I grew up in, neither does my husband) but with internet and
cell phones, you can still talk to your loved ones all the time. And when you do get together with them for Holidays and/or vacations it will just make the time with them all that more special.

[lislemom]

we will put the house on the market in march
then start house hunting over spring break
getting used to the idea
my husband travels a lot so its frustrating we have to move when he is gone so much anyway
and i am left to purge the house and get it ready to sell