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With the kids in Skiathos

19/6/18

We heard about the island of Skiathos a while back, during our visits to Greece. We love chatting with the locals, hearing about their favorite place. They told us that Skiathos is a favorite location for local young people and British tourists, and we decided to check it out for ourselves.

 

 

Skiathos is part of the Spoardic islands, together with Skopolos and Alonisos, in the Aegean sea. Beautiful islands with sandy beaches and palm trees – Thailand in the Mediterranean!

After a two-hour flight with TUS airways – an Israeli-owned Cypriot company – we landed in Skiathos airport and took a taxi to the apartment hotel we booked in advance, following a recommendation on Trip Advisor, located right at the beach.

 

achladies apartment

the way to the beach

 

The hotel is called Achladies Apartments and the owner, Favelina, is a Greek-born American raised in Illinois that returned to Greece for love. She and her husband built their hotel by themselves. We got an apartment – simple yet spacious, sparkling clean – on the ground floor, all that is separating us from the sea was a 50 meters pathway, blooming with flowers and plants, with a garden with a little petting zoo attached to it. Is there any better?

 

 

We dined our breakfasts in the adjacent local tavern, where we met our neighbors – a group of 60 year-old British women, who come to the island each year, sans husband and kids. They drink, laugh, gossip about Harry and Megan, do some topless sunbathing and having the time of their life. They shared the hot gossip that Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell are holidaying right next to us in the same bay, but unfortunately, we missed them…

 

 

We spent the rest of the day doing nothing on a perfect beach, which is actually a bay – Achaladies bay, sometimes we took a 10-minute boat to the old city, wandering the lovely alleyways between the shops and taverns. Another way to get to the town is by taking bus no. 10. The center of the island is a forest area and more mountainous, with some attractive monasteries. Inside the pine forests are villas and houses for rent, for those who prefer their holiday with a greener scenery.

 

 

The kids mostly enjoyed arguing and fighting amongst themselves, but also dabbled in the arts of sandcastle making, boat sailing, feeding the bunnies and turtles with lettuce and just enjoying the sense of freedom and being connected to nature. With no internet (which was hard for me – I’ll admit), no TV and no water parks – and it worked like a charm.

 

 

 

We, the grown-ups, enjoyed the break from the routine, we loved and cherished the time for family and for our relationship, we enjoyed the lovely hosts, the international atmosphere, and beautiful beach, the delightful breeze and local food. By the way, one of the best desserts we had there was a local cake made from sugared orange peels and maple.

 

As a coach and as a parent facilitator in Adler’s approach, I am always asked how to make the family vacation with the children harmonious and pastoral. So I’m sorry to disappoint but my answer is simple: it’s impossible. Quarrels, shrieks, screams and shuffles (not to say sibling violence) are part of the family package, especially for Israelis. I think that the more we match expectations to reality, the easier it will be for us. What can also make things easier is the understanding that sibling fights are the way children practice peer relationships. In other words, quarrels are important and there is no need to cancel them or even to hope that they will disappear.

However, it is important for parents to have their children grow up with a sense of solidarity with their siblings..

 

 

So what to do?

 

Understand that sibling rivalries are the way children train on social skills in the peer group. That’s why it’s a good and positive thing.


Face them as if they are a team. This is expressed both in speaking (speaking plural) and in deeds. The idea is that I do not want to encourage competition or a struggle that may become what characterizes the relationship between them in adulthood.


When someone comes to complain about his brother, I personally simply say, “Mother can not judge between her children.” It works.


If you are already involved, then think together about creative solutions and never take a stand.


Encourage them when they cooperate with each other.


Ear plugs, dark sunglasses and if possible then add some good cocktail in front of sunset in beautiful Skiathos.

 

 

 

 

 

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הכותבת: ליבי רוזנטל מאמנת אדלריאנית.  טל’: 050-5881731 פייסבוק.

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