Moving a family to the United States may seem like a simple matter. But then comes the shipping from Lithuania to USA time. How long does it take for the container to arrive? Does the container itself arrive first, or does it take the children time to settle into their new school? This isn’t a trivial matter, but the beginning of the entire process.
Why the USA and why family?
The United States remains one of the few countries where family immigration isn’t perceived as a “side effect” of one adult’s career. Here, infrastructure was built around the family from the very beginning: from suburbs with sidewalks to school buses that actually arrive on time.
An interesting fact that often surprises Europeans: in most states, school isn’t just about lessons. It’s the center of social life: sports, clubs, volunteering, parent-teacher associations. For a child immigrant, this is one of the fastest ways to integrate, much faster than adults through work.
The age of children matters
In terms of adaptation, the most flexible age is elementary school. Children aged 6–10 learn the language naturally, without accents or stress. It’s more difficult for teenagers, but the American system offers many ESL (English as a Second Language) programs that are integrated into the school day, not relegated to the side.
Logistics as a foundation for peace of mind
It’s a mistake to think of cargo transportation as a technical matter that will “get sorted out somehow.” For a family, it’s a matter of psychological stability. When will the children’s books arrive? When will the usual dishes appear? When can we stop eating from disposable plates?
Transatlantic shipments from Europe to the US typically take several weeks with top-notch carriers from GetTransport. It’s important to understand that this timeframe includes not only the sea move itself, but also packing, customs clearance, and delivery to the final destination. Companies specializing in international family relocations often communicate potential delays upfront, which is much more straightforward than promising completion in 10 days.
What’s really important to think about before you leave
This is where it’s helpful to pause and view the move not as a single event, but as a year-long process.
- Initial housing. Short-term rentals near a school or daycare reduce the chaos in the first few months.
- Medical documents. There’s no standard “immunization record” in the US, but schools require proof of vaccination, it’s best to transfer these documents in advance.
- Financial pause. Even with a work visa, the first two to three months are often more expensive than expected: deposits, furniture, transportation.
Everyday american life: what surprises families
A small but telling point: in the US, “tolerance” isn’t accepted. If a child is struggling at school, parents talk to the teacher about it, and the system responds. Individualized education plans (IEPs), school psychologists, and teaching assistants aren’t an elite service, but part of public education.
Another nuance is mobility. Families often move between states, and that’s normal. Therefore, kindergartens, schools, and doctors are accustomed to working with “new kids”. You won’t have to explain why you “just came from Europe”.
What about identity?
Paradoxically, it’s true: in a multilingual environment, children find it easier to remember their native language. In the US, bilingualism is seen as an advantage, not a disadvantage. This isn’t a problem if the school can meet academic requirements, even if the native language is different.
Conclusion
Moving your family to the United States isn’t an act of faith, but a long, drawn-out process with breaks. The less hassle you have with the first stage of the move – logistics, paperwork, and temporary housing – the sooner you’ll begin to feel a sense of stability. Then it’s time for fun: not immigration, but life itself. Children’s friends, first school projects, new habits, and that moment when you suddenly think, “We did it!”