September is almost here, and most families are shifting from holiday mode into back-to-school mode. A variety of stressful parameters, like earlier bedtimes, demanding homework, and tighter schedules are about to impact children and parents alike.

 

Read on to find a few actionable tips on keeping back-to-school stress at bay.

 

Stress can be expressed in a variety of ways, but because it's often internalized, it can be hard to identify in children. Look for warning signals, such as difficulty in sleeping, head and stomach aches, and changes in behavior like irritability and temper tantrums.

 

Michele Kambolis, a Vancouver-based child and family therapist, recommends having your kids externalize their stress. Kambolis uses an activity called a "worry wall," where kids write down their worrisome thoughts on sticky notes and paste them up on a wall. This simple action aids children to gain perspective and compartmentalize their stressors.

 

 

To be able to recognize school-related anxiety in your child, you need to open your ears and pay close attention to their particular grievances. If your child is complaining about not wanting to go to school or having difficulty doing their work, try to figure out the cause of the problem.

Is it a teacher issue? A bully? Are they over-scheduled? You will probably be able to address most of these problems either at home or by contacting school administrators.

 

 

Children need much more sleep than most people realize. Children in kindergarten up to third grade may require up to 12 hours of sleep per night, and high schoolers need a solid 8 to 10 hours. Address factors that may result in sleep loss, such as demanding schedules, anxiety, or using technology and social media platforms late at night.

 

 

'PDF' stands for (unstructured) playtime, downtime, and family time. While technology can occasionally be a part of PDF, the idea is that these are moments when the family is not plugged in. It's these face-to-face moments that will help kids decompress and reconnect with themselves, their family, and friends.

To read this article in full, please visit: Real Simple

A Greek NGO helping migrant and refugee children in Greece has won the world's biggest annual humanitarian award.

METAdrasi uses translators who are fluent in more than 43 languages and dialects to navigate complicated policies and procedures.

METAdrasi's founder, Lora Pappa, said of the award: "It will enable us to strengthen our advocacy and help us be heard. This is an ongoing crisis. We are so grateful to receive the prize at a time when urgent needs regarding the refugee situation continue to emerge."

To read this article in full, please visit: The Guardian

 

Image by skeeze from Pixabay 

 

METAdrasi was founded in December 2009 with the mission to facilitate the reception and integration of refugees and migrants in Greece. Believing that migration leads to development, METAdrasi is determined to uphold and protect the fundamental human rights of all those displaced and persecuted through innovative interventions. The name of ΜΕΤΑdrasi was coined by the synthesis of the Greek words “meta”+“drasi” (meaning: and then? + action) and encapsulates our purpose and philosophy.

Guided by the principles of consistency, efficiency, transparency and flexibility to adjust to needs as they emerge, METAdrasi is active in the following key areas:

•The provision of quality interpretation, enabling vital communication with refugees and migrants through the deployment of over 350 interpreters, trained and certified by METAdrasi in 43 languages and dialects – an activity that lies at the heart of any effective provision of humanitarian support;

• The protection of unaccompanied and separated children, through a comprehensive safety net of activities including accommodation facilities, escorting from precarious conditions to safe spaces and the pioneering activities of guardianship, foster families and supported independent living;

• The protection and support of other vulnerable groups through the provision of legal aid to asylum seekers, certification of victims of torture and deployment of humanitarian aid wherever needed;

• The education and integration of refugees and migrants through educational programmes, Greek language lessons, multilingual support guides and remedial education for children that enables access to the right to education, as well as soft-skills training, traineeship opportunities and work placements.

The 20th Athens Beer Festival is returning this September to take place in one of the most historic spots of Athens.

Kotzias square in the heart of the city will be hosting this celebratory event along with fantastic happenings including traditional greek and international food with plenty of good live music!!

Join us and prepare to discover a  great variety of beers!


 

Active Media Group: Undertakes the Sports Presentation of the Mediterranean Beach Games in Patras

Another success is added to the events of Active Media Group. Specifically, the prestigious International Travel & Tourism Awards 2019 presented by the World Travel Market that evaluates and recognizes the best in global travel & tourism industry, included this year Active Media with the top sports event of “Navarino Challenge” in its shortlist for the Best in Wellness category. The final results will be announced on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, at the awards ceremony in London.

This is the first time a Greek sports tourism event is nominated in WTM together with projects from the whole world. Navarino Challenge is co-organized by Costa Navarino, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino and Active Media Group with the support of the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor and Trifilia.

Register for Navarino Challenge today!

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XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor Of Navarino Challenge 2019

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Following its successful debut last year, Taste of Athens returns to the city ready to praise once again the Athenian fine dining scene!

As part of the international platform of Taste Festivals- held in more than twenty cities around the world - and having by its side Diners Club International and Fine Drinking by World Class, Taste of Athens promises its visitors a unique gastronomy journey!

From September 19th to 22nd, Taste of Athens creates a festive atmosphere at Zappeion Megaron and brings together fourteen of Athens’ top restaurants, great F&B brands, and Michelin star chefs. In a pop-up version, the restaurants will serve a special tasting menu including some of their signature dishes at special prices (3, 6, 9 and 12 euros).

World-Class Chefs from Greece and abroad will be performing at the Festival, sharing recipes, masterclasses and inspiring speeches that will inspire the audience. Within an interactive environment and a delightful ambiance, visitors will discover the secrets of wine tasting, explore new gastronomic trends as well as sophisticated F&B products crafted by leading suppliers and premium Greek producers.

Join Taste of Athens and its numerous immersive, educational and entertaining experiences!

The participating restaurants:

SPONDI | Angelos Lantos
HYTRA | Tasos Mantis
VAROULKO SEASIDE | Lefteris Lazarou, Giannis Parikos
BALTHAZAR | Christoforos Peskias
FUGA | Dimitris Katrivesis
VEZENE | Ari Vezene
BIRDMAN | Ari Vezene
COOKOOVAYA | Spyros Liakos, Vangelis Liakos, Pericles Koskinas, Manos Zournatzis
PSOMI & ALATI | Yannis Lucacos
ΦΒΚ | Dimos Balopoulos
MR PUG ATHENS | Giorgos Venieris
ERGON | Lefteris Athanasopoulos, Panagiotis Xanthis
SENSE RESTAURANT | Alexandros Charalampopoulos
ARTISANAL | Dimitris Dimitriadis

Taste of Athens Info:

▪ Taste of Athens will be held from 19 to 22 September 2019, at the Zappeion Megaron.
▪ Every day of the festival will feature two separate four-hour sessions: 12:00 - 16:00 and 18:30 - 22:30.
▪ You can find the full program of daily events and details on the participants HERE!.
▪ The ticket prices for each four-hour session are:
   
o Standard: 20€ (early-bird: 18€ until 20.08)
The ticket includes one dish voucher of 3€, access to the Chefs Theatre, Entertainment Stage, Cooking Masterclasses και Exhibitors’ Village.

o VIP: 50€ (early-bird: 40€ until 20.08)
▪ Includes access to a specially designed VIP Lounge in the garden and restaurant of Aegli, the Chefs Theatre, Entertainment Stage, Cooking Masterclasses και Exhibitors’ Village as well as
▪ welcome drink & oyster treat,
▪ dish voucher of 9€ and
▪ free parking with valet service.

▪ For Diners Card International cardholders and groups, special offers are available and for children up to 6 years of age the admission is free.
▪ Tickets are available through https://athens.tastefestivals.com/en/tickets and Viva.
▪ Tickets will also be available at the ticket booth located at the entrance during the festival’s running hours.

XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor Of Taste Of Athens 2019

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A full moon illuminated the waters at Greece's Koroni castle on August 15.

The moon was celebrated with cultural events around the country, with local media reporting that museums and archaeological sites would stay open late.

On Thursday 15 August 2019, at 9 p.m., the Acropolis Museum invites visitors to its entrance courtyard on a musical journey under the August Full Moon. Exceptional artists Eirini Toumpaki, Andreas Lafis, Maria Anamaterou and Sotiris Karistinos and their orchestra will perform beloved songs by great Greek songwriters and composers.

Even though details regarding the episode have not been revealed, the duo's travel to Greece will focus on their clashing personalities.

According to the Hellenic Film Commission (HFC), "The Trip to Greece" will showcase the comedians visiting many of Greece's historical sites and monuments, including the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, the Ancient Agora of Athens, the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus and more.

To read this article in full, please visit: eKathimerini

Three Greek university students won one gold and two silver medals, at the 2019 International Mathematics Competition (IMC), that took place in Bulgaria, last week.

The 2019 competition was organized by University College London and hosted by the American University of Bulgaria.