For Parents in Portland

Could Rock-Paper-Scissors Save the World? How being a student leader with Playworks has helped my daughter build self-esteem.
Angela Sipp is a wife and mother of 3 (Liam - 14, Chloe - 10 and Zach - 9). Her daughter Chloe has been a Playworks Junior Coach at Sitton Elementary for three years.
 
I once read that self-esteem cannot be taught, it happens through an experience of being capable, competent and true.
 
My proverbial middle child, and Junior Coach superstar, knows this like no other. Flanked by two brothers, she often handles the oldest reminding her that he is (the oldest) and the youngest pushing her buttons. But like any good siblings in times of need they're capable of tremendous amounts of authentic love and care.
 
We all know however that the feel-good stuff only lasts for so long before a typical day of bickering. It's that which gets under my skin on this day; I hear it start with an "I want this" and "you did that". I'm listening. I'm waiting. I'm wondering if they'll work it out...  After a minute or two, I hear Chloe say "alright, you wanna go?" Hearing these words, my mind quickly conjures up a few different outcomes and not all of them end peacefully. I'm preparing to intervene when I hear the kids call out "rock-paper-scissors", which is then quickly followed by a mixture of muffled victory and sighs of defeat, but the bickering stops and that was that. Grinning ear to ear, I realize my kids just solved their conflict on their own with ro-sham-bo. Maybe us adults could learn a thing or two?!
 
Through these triumphs and tribulations at home I've been able to see first hand the skills Chloe has learned being a Junior Coach. The self-esteem and confidence that she's gained has given her a voice and validation. It has allowed her to trust herself and enabled her to act on her truth even when others don't agree. And most importantly learning that even the tough things can be solved with rock-paper-scissors.