Moving abroad as a family

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Though twenty-somethings can move quite freely from country to country, moving as a family is often much harder and complex, especially if you do not quite understand the full scope of what you need to do.

Here however, are a few hints and tips to making the transition a whole lot easier:

Know what to take with you

Ensuring that you take the right possessions is important for your pockets. For this, there is a general ‘shipping worthy’ test that you can do to work out whether an item is actually worth shipping.

For example, a Thomas the Tank Engine toy is small, and as shipping costs are usually based on volume basis, small items and toys are likely to be much cheaper to ship than to replace.

If you’re unsure, international movers like John Mason can help you throughout the entire moving process, guiding and advising you the whole way along.

Pick your timing well

Not only will you have to consider new school schedules and times, but before you even think about sending them off to a classroom, you have to make sure that they are accustomed to the new country in which they have just moved to.

If you can, try and give them at least two weeks before the start of the school year, and if possible, always ensure that you move in the summer, so that they can start the school year afresh.

Make sure you do it when they are the right age

Though there is no right age, there are advantages and disadvantages to moving them at any age. Younger children for example, are more adaptable and open to change, plus if you are moving to a country with a different language, they will find it far easier to pick it up.

Older children however, may be more resistant to moving to another country due to ties of friendship and difficulties with education. On the other hand, they will be able to understand a great deal more about different cultures, giving them the opportunity to embrace new ideas and activities.

Make things fun

Before you move, take just a little time out to research the local area to see what traditions and events are happening for the time you arrive, so that moving doesn’t seem all that frightening for your children.

Plus, when Christmas comes rolling along, and nostalgia will probably hit home the most, it is important that you keep the children occupied and happy for the season’s holidays.