Split the family; Double the fun

A) I chose this essay as one of my choices because I believe that i strongly showed my opinions on divorced families, and it tells readers many qualities about myself that I have gained only through being a child in a split home.

B) I think the essay stays on topic very well. The essay is not back and forth between negative and positive aspects, and my opinion is clear and did not change throughout the essay.

C) The essay  has many key points because I felt like there were a lot of different benefits that were important enough to write about. It seems a little all over the place.

D) Should I  lessen the amount of points I have tried to make, and organize the essay into fewer paragraphs?

Split the family; Double the fun

      Growing up I always had two Christmas celebrations, two trampolines, and I even got to go to Disney World twice. This was not because I had an odd obsession with the number two, or because I was spoiled, but because I grew up with divorced parents. I have lived in two separate houses my entire life. While some people would probably view children who have been forced to grow up in a split household as unstable or less likely to have a proper childhood, I disagree. Looking back, I loved growing up with my parents separated, and I would not change the way I was brought up at all.

      I ended up attaining more benefits than just having many material items. Although I had doubles of most things, my parents’ households were very different. My mother would almost over-care for me and my two sisters while my father had more of a “do-it-yourself” outlook.  Both of my parents’ attitudes helped mold me into being a very well-balanced individual. The way their approaches on parenting foiled each other strongly impacted many of the decisions I have made throughout my life.

      Another advantage to having divorced parents was that I learned how to be very optimistic. When I was still a child I would cry because my mom and dad weren’t together anymore. When I overcame this sadness it was because I realized that my life really wasn’t all that bad. Being positive helped me change the heartrending times into blissful times. I would reminisce about being back together as a family, and when I began to get sad, I would remind myself that instead I had two families, both of which are amazing.

      A down-fall to living in two different households was always being in the middle. My siblings and I found ourselves between every argument. It became hard not to blame ourselves for the fights between our parents because it seemed like their love for us was the only commonality they shared. With all of these struggles, I became skilled in problem-solving. I was able to talk out solutions with my family through being a mediator. Even though it sometimes seemed as if us children were the adults, the resolutions we came to were usually successful.

      All of the hardships either “side” of my family faced helped to bring my sisters and me closer together. We made important choices together, we matured together, and we were always there for each other. These things still have not changed. The bonds we have between us are strong and unbreakable, and we still look toward one another for guidance when times get tough. Having divorced parents made us closer than I believe we would have been if our parents had been together while we were growing up.

      Along with many children who were raised in homes with conditions similar to ours, we were forced to grow up very quickly. This is not something I regret, but something I am, and always will be, extremely thankful for. My experiences have influenced the way I think and act for the better, and I believe I am ready for any obstacle life may throw at me.

Dressing for Sucess

A) This was one of my essay choices because I feel like it is a topic that would make me stand out. It seems like an unusual topic, but actually helps explain my determination in reaching my dreams.

B) My essay is a reflection of a childhood memory, but I think the transition from being a child to a young adult is apparent. This is a good things because readers can see the maturing that has happened since this event actually occurred.

C) I feel that my essay does not have an ending that ties back to the beginning. I worried that I would repeat myself, but now I wonder if my ending is effective enough.

D) Are the benefits I gained from playing dress-up and having big childhood dreams obvious in my essay?              


                         

                                       Dressing for Success

      A princess, a doctor, a ballerina, and a teacher. These are some of the things I used to pretend to be when I played dress-up at home in my basement. Anything that I wanted to be when I grew up was what I could pretend to be when I woke up! I felt like I was in my own world when I was dressed up. I would pick out each outfit carefully; laying the articles of clothing one by one onto the cream-colored rug before putting them on. I would then dress myself and parade around the house, acting as if I actually was whichever character I tried to duplicate that day. Believing I could be anything in the world was exciting to me. I never wanted to stop trying to embody the qualities that outstanding people had, and I told myself I would accomplish great things one day, too.

      “McKenzie, lunch is ready!” my mom would call down the stairs repeatedly until I finally gave in. I would slowly walk up the stairs, with my small hands perched on the railing, fully in character. Upon entering the kitchen, my mother would laugh with amusement. This was either due to my ridiculous outfit choice or because of my newly-discovered attitude for that day. We would eat our sandwiches together, and she would pretend with me. We conversed as if I really was an adult with a successful profession, which I liked. We spoke of all the jobs that baseball players, architects, and even moms need to do on a daily basis, along with all of the hard work it takes them to become good at what they do.

      Although I was still a kid on the outside, it seemed as if the clothes masked my small size. As I added more clothing, I shed more of my naïveté’s.  I realized that it was not realistic that I would have the same future as a ballerina or veterinarian only by mimicking them. I instead would put myself in their situations, planning out the steps they probably had to take in order to get to where they are in their careers. I recognized the dedication and enthusiasm that was necessary. My outlook on life when I was seven years old - that I could become whatever I wanted to become - is not much different than it is today. However, I have matured, and so have my dreams.

      All of these imaginary games weren’t played just so that I could wear cool clothes or have a fun method for passing the time away. My experiences of dressing up helped me develop my childhood dreams even further. I grew to be able to plan out and organize the steps I would have to take to get where I want to be in life, and I became strong enough to carry these steps out. Trying hard in school, having good effort in everything I do, and aiming high are all qualities I have obtained as a result of playing a silly, make-believe games. I knew who I was capable of impersonating, and I became capable of knowing who I could actually become.