Unpacking is a challenge and adding your kids to the mix can make life complicated.  However, there are several things you can do to help keep them occupied.  Once the boxes are delivered, the fun begins.  Your movers will put your beds together and if you have chosen to have your things unpacked, your movers will begin and start to put your things where you need them.

If your children are old enough to communicate, you could have them stay in their rooms and help give guidance to the movers, who are unpacking.  If you are unpacking yourself, you can have your child start to unpack their room.  You will have to help by giving them some guidance and opening the boxes.  However, they will be glad to take ownership of the task.  It will give them some control and feel empowered.

Once they have helped with that task, see if you can find other tasks that are age appropriate that will give them an opportunity to help without causing you major rework later.  If you outline these tasks and reward them, it will work in your favor.  They can put packing materials away and help breakdown boxes.  They can help you unpack other rooms in the house that you feel they can do.  They can also help wipe out drawers and lay shelf liner.

Keep in mind that your child is not going to be as motivated as you, so they may take a great deal of breaks.  You can come up with activities they can do to burn steam.  This way you will not be interrupted as much while you are busy unpacking.  If you have an outdoor space for them to play take full advantage.  Further, you may want to make it a priority to unpack their favorite activities so that they can occupy themselves with their new found items.  It is a fine balance and taking the time for your kids will make all the difference with their transition. 

Moving important documents require some preparation.  As you prepare for your move, you will have to take the time to weed through your important documents, which include your tax documentation.  Before you start to shred things, keep in mind that the Canada Revenue Agency suggests that you keep your tax documents for six years.  These include your receipts and other supporting documentation.  For further information, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency website. 

If you are worried about moving all of this paperwork, consider scanning them electronically.  This will allow you to transport a great deal of documents on a small memory disk, CD, portable hard drive or on your laptop computer.  It is so efficient because you can move a great deal of information in a very small space.  You could even take it with you. 

Also, you want to consider scanning other important documents like copies of birth certificates, wills, government identification and passports.  It is very important to have backup copies of these documents in case they are lost or destroyed.  Also, having an electronic copy to hand will help you to have easy access to this information quickly.  Keep in mind that even if you do not have the equipment to hand to scan these documents, there are companies that offer access to these machines at a low cost so that you can still do it.  Therefore, you want to start the process early so that you have enough time to complete the task.

Keeping your kids busy during a move is so important for both you and them.  When the kids are busy, you can be more productive and it will alleviate frustration for the both of you.  Therefore, you want to include them in finding activities and games they can do while you pack, move and settle into your new location.  

Start with taking them to a store and give them a budget.  With your help, have them pick out several things from activity books, movies, electronic games and toys.  Be selective to ensure they pick out things with longevity.  Also, have them pick out a journal.  This is so important because they will be able to catalog their feelings and experiences during the process and note contact details for their friends and family.  

While you are packing, have your child pack a special bag that contains things that they find comforting, plus all of the new activities they have chosen on the shopping trip.  If you have older children, have them set aside their clothes and toiletries for the journey.  Keeping them engaged during the process helps them feel included and retain some control.

When the movers arrive, arrange to have a sitter watch them or take them to the park.  Consider having your child spend time with a close friend or relative.  This allows them to get as much out of the last few days as they can.  It will be harder to keep them occupied in your new location because you will be leaving your support network behind.

Do some research ahead of time to find things to do for your kiddos in your new location.  Scope out the parks and activities.  Look to see if your new parks and recreation department offers activities for children in the summer.  Tiring them out during the day will help you get your things done at night.  If they are old enough, you can have them help by setting up their rooms and unpack.  If they are still babies or toddlers, you will have your work cut out for you.  Consider having access to a play pen or gate for their safety.  It is hard to contain little ones while you unpack but is important for their safety.  Therefore, take the time to have a special place for them before your begin.  

Moving with children can be an adventure.  Remember that you set the tone for the move and the more excited and positive you are, they will be.

Top five countries that Albertans plan to move

Starline Overseas Moving  listed their top destination countires for Albertans emigrating from Canada. In 2011. As can be expected, English speaking  Commonweatlth countires topped the list, with the United Kingdom and the Australia being the first choice with close to 700 families planning a move. The USA ranked third with 232 moves and surprisingly, Germany with 210 families.  New Zealand ranked fifth with 149 move enquiries.

Source:  Starline Overseas Moving

For further information contact Don Kachur 780-451-0123

Your first corporate relocation is a wonderful opportunity as a professional and an exciting time to expand your perspective and experience.  Once you have been offered this opportunity, you want to take the time to educate yourself on your employers relocation policies and procedures. This is so important because it will directly have an impact on your budget.  Depending on your position and reason for the relocation, your employer may cover limited relocation costs.  Therefore, educating yourself ahead of time will prevent any misunderstanding and confusion.  

Time is of the essence in the midst of a corporate relocation.  Planning will go a long way in making the most of your limited time.  

If you have any questions, your professionals here at Starline will be happy to help you understand your relocation benefits as it relates to moving your goods.  If there are questions that need further clarification, we will do our best to get you the answers you need or refer to you someone who can.  It is important to make sure you have a list of all of your contacts regarding your relocation in one place.  This will prove to be a valuable resource in the event you need to speak to someone right away.

If you are in need of a storage facility when you move or after you move in, understand your options.  Take the time to do your due diligence and learn what will work best for you and your things.  Here are a few questions to ask to help you make the right selection.

1. Experience.  When looking for storage facilities, you want to understand their longevity and reputation.  You also what to know if they are a stand alone operation or a part of a larger corporation.  Also, check with professional organizations and the Better Business Bureau to see if the company is in good standing.
2. Facility. Take the time to evaluate the facility to see if it will meet your storage needs.  Make sure that it has the size requirements and climate controls you may need.
3. Insurance.  Ask the proprietor about insurance and what is covered and what you will have to insure.  This is important in order to protect your things.
4. Policies and Procedures.  You also want to understand what are their policies and procedures in the event of damage or trouble.
5. Access and Availability.  You want to know the accessibility and availability of the storage facility.  Many allow you extended hours to access your things.  Just confirm this so that you know your options and how to get in the facility.  Also, you should ask about security to see if they have taken measures to monitor it at all hours of the day.

If you are moving and planning to rent, there are several things to keep in mind.  This is especially true if you moving with an international assignment.  First, you need to familiarize yourself with your rental agreement or lease.  Understand what your landlord expects of you and your responsibilities.  This even includes taking possession of your property, when you move in.  You should also clarify what is and is not included in your lease.  Different countries have different requirements on both sides of the transaction, so educating yourself will pay dividends in the future.  If you are fortunate enough to have access to a professional who can help you, take full advantage of their advice.  They will be able to educate you on what is standard business practices in that country.

If you do not have access to this type of professional or cannot afford one, ask your new work colleagues and friends to help you.  Asking for advice will go a long way.  It is worth the time to ask and get clarification until you understand to prevent anything that could be lost in translation.  This is an important element to prevent additional or unforeseen costs.  You want to make sure you have a clear understanding, which will help you and your landlord agree to terms that are amicable to both of you.

Moving your outdoor items are course of business for your professionals here at Starline.  However, you do need to keep in mind that you do need to prepare your outdoor things for the move.  In order to best prepare to move these outdoor items, you need to take some inventory yourself.  If you have a barbecue with a propane tank, you will need to remove the tank and return it or give it away.  This will be the same if you have any outdoor propane heaters, fireplaces or fire tables to move.  You have to remove these tanks because they are flammable and all professional movers are forbidden to transfer flammable objects.

If you have any other outdoor cooking equipment like a smoker and have lighter fluid to ignite it, you will have to get rid of that fluid as well.  Also, if you are a gardner and have fertilizer or pesticides, you will not be able to move any of these materials because they maybe considered flammable.  Further, if you have an outdoor shed, be sure to go through it carefully.  If you have any paint, oil or other chemicals, chances are you will not be able to transport them as well.  Therefore, it is worth the extra time to go through these items before you move so you can make the proper arrangements.

If you have any questions or are confused, please refer to Starline’s movers guide.  It itemizes the things you can not move.  If you are still concerned or have any questions, feel free to contact your professionals here at Starline.  They will  be happy to help clarify what you can take with you.

Setting up a bank account after you move may seem rather easy or standard.  However, there are several things you need to think about.  If you are making a domestic move, chances are your banking should be an easy transfer.  If you currently bank at a national bank, it may be as easy as opening up a local bank account with the same institution with your new address.  Keep in mind that each bank operates differently and they may not have branches in your new location.  Therefore, you want to make sure that you touch base with your current bank branch and get the specifics so that you can understand your options before you move.  If your bank does not have branches in your new location, you definitely want to consider changing institutions.  This may save you in the long run when it comes to fees and charges for ATMs and services.  If you have a safety deposit box with them, make sure that you empty it and close the account.

If you are moving abroad, opening an account may prove to be more tricky.  Therefore, due diligence is essential.  It is important to recognize that your credit worthiness is assessed differently in different countries.  Therefore, you need to understand this before you move.  You may have immaculate credit in your home country, however this may not translate to your new location.  Find out ahead of time what are the requirements and what paperwork you need to demonstrate your creditworthiness so that you can open your account with little to no trouble.  Whatever you do, do not take this personally.  Just recognize that these differences do exist and that in order to make a successful transition you need to prepare yourself and do the best you can to fulfill the requirements.  It may make absolutely no sense to you, but at the end of the day, you need to meet your objective.  Further, if you are on a corporate relocation, it may be much easier to fulfill the requirements.  I suggest to be patient and learn.  Consider it all apart of your new adventure.

Finding a job in Canada due to a move will take some preparation.  It is important to keep in mind that if you are seeking employment after you move, you really want to start your search even before you move.  This will allow you to prepare yourself for all of the steps you need to take.  If you are moving from another country, even more preparation is required.  Therefore, it is best to start early.  There are some tools on-line that can be of help in your search.  

If you are moving to Canada and are seeking employment, here are a few online resources that can help you.  First, you want to check with Citizen and Immigration Canada to evaluate your work visa needs and eligibility.  You should start this process before you move to mitigate any surprises. Further, you want to establish the amount of time you plan on living in the country.  Next, use the available resources online to begin your search.  These include but are not limited to Service Canada and Working in Canada.  These two websites will help you find available employment opportunities.  It offers various search options.  For example, the search options include the type of work you are looking for and the type of prospective employee you are.  Keep in mind there are additional resources out there like Monster Canada that can help with your search.  Also, if your spouse or partner is on a corporate relocation or job transfer, you may be eligible for employment service benefits.  You will have to evaluate the policies and procedures and the benefits offered by the employer.  

In this competitive job market, every effort counts.  Therefore, starting early, educating yourself and utilizing your contacts will help you tremendously.