International Moving Guide
Moving with children to a new home can affect your kids in many different ways, and you can help alleviate their fears or concerns by turning the move into a positive adventure for the entire family. The first step to making the relocation process a positive, and even fun, family affair is communication. Talk to your children about the move. Listen to their fears and be sympathetic to their concerns. The second step is to make your kids take an active part in the relocation, and feel like contributing members of the "team". Involve them in every step-from planning discussions to easy packing and labeling (depending on age and ability)
Before the Move
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Talk to your children about their new home and community. Tell them about the schools, after-school activities and other areas of interest. When moving internationally, tell your kids about culture and customs in the new country, and help them "get excited" about meeting new people and learning about new cultures. |
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Show your kids pictures of their new home and neighborhood. |
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Help your children keep in touch with old friends while encouraging them to make new friends. |
Moving Out
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Help your children collect e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of their old friends |
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Throw a nice "going away" party, and involve them in the planning and execution stages of the affair |
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Ask your children to decide on 2-3 items that they will take with them on the plane (favorite teddy bear, blanket, or favorite book.) |
Moving Day
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Involve your kids in the packing process. Older kids can put their own belongings in boxes, and kids of all ages will enjoy decorating the boxes containing their things. |
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While the move is in progress, think about having a friend or a sitter come and spend time with your kids, or take them out for the day on a fun activity. |
Non-Allowables
Before your possessions are packed and loaded, it is important that you understand which items cannot be shipped because they represent a hazard or are perishable. Listed below are some common non-allowable items that you will need to address prior to your pack and load dates.
Hazardous Materials – items that are flammable, corrosive or explosive. |
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Sterno |
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Fire Extinguisher |
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Household Batteries |
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Matches |
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Aerosols |
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Chemistry Sets |
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Kerosene |
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Cleaning Solvents |
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Darkroom Chemicals |
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Gasoline |
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Ammonia |
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Pool Chemicals |
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Propane/Propane Tanks |
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Nail Polish |
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Motor Oil |
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Fireworks |
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Nail Polish Remover |
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Car Batteries |
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Charcoal |
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Liquid Bleach |
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Fertilizer |
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Charcoal Lighter |
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Paints (latex & oil-based) |
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Pesticides |
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Ammunition |
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Paint Thinner |
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Poisons (such as weed killer) |
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Lamp Oils |
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Perishables – Food, plants or living things that may die or spoil in transit.* |
Examples include: |
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Frozen Food
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Produce
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Refrigerated Food |
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Plants |
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* For shipments moving less than 150 miles and delivered within 24 hours of pickup, agents may agree to transport perishables that are properly packed and require no servicing in transit.
Note: You should empty your refrigerators and freezers and keep appliance doors open for at least 24 hours in advance of loading. This will allow appliances to dry out and prevent the growth of mold. |
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Things to remember
Items of Personal Importance/Sentimental Value – This third category of non-allowables can create problems should your shipment be delayed or items lost. We suggest that irreplaceable items and\or sentimental items be carried with you instead of being packed with your shipment. |
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Examples include: |
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Airline Tickets |
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Certificates of Deposit |
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Prescription Medicine |
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Car Keys |
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Stocks |
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Computer Discs |
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Cell Phones |
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Bonds |
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Address Books |
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Pagers |
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IRAs |
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Jewelry |
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Laptop Computers |
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Financial Documents |
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Family Photographs |
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Checkbooks |
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Deeds |
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Wedding Albums |
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Cash |
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Car Titles |
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Personal Video Tapes |
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School Records |
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Professional Files |
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VCRs & Stereos |
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Medical & Dental
Records |
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Insurance Policies
(Life/Auto/Home, etc.) |
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Remote Controls for TVs/VCRs/Stereos |
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Documents Pertaining to
Your New Home |
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Keys to Furniture, Safe, Home |
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