A friend just read one of my parent essays and asked the above question. She thinks that what I wrote doesn’t seem believable because it is too “glowing.” The prompt did not ask for weaknesses or flaws and everything I wrote was grounded in an actual (actually multiple) examples of my child doing something that demonstrated a quality I was writing about. The prompt was basically what I like about the kid.
So, do I need to make it “more believable”?
It depends. Is it accurate? Does it sound readable? It’s likely somethings off since she is your friend and is commenting on it in that manner, however.
Maybe it’s a matter of dialing back on some of the superlatives. Instead of extremely kind, maybe your daughter is just kind. Etc.
If she in fact does fart butterflies I would include that. I think a butterfly farter is more scarce than an oboe player.
If you are happy with it, @dogsmama1997 , then don’t change a thing. Your friend’s comment sounds rude to me. You don’t need to tone down your enthusiasm for anyone; she’s your daughter, after all. 
Although crude, your friend may be offering a valuable insight.
Would you consider writing a parent essay which discusses both strengths & weaknesses ? My best guess is that prep schools are seeking insights about your child, not blind praise.
What was the prompt for this essay?
Because all parents think their children are special, an essay reflecting this bias is not too informative and probably not what the school was trying to elicit. If the essay comes off as bragging about your child, you missed the point of the essay IMO.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/2052199-parent-response.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/1905957-parent-statement-length-p1.html
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-parents/1748231-the-parentss-statement-in-the-application.html
Love the title of this thread!
Our running joke has always been that our DD poops ice cream!
I think the best way, just like in a job interview, is to include something that on the surface might be seen as a negative and demonstrate how your child has turned it in to a positive.
Make her sound human, not super human. You don’t necessarily have to include faults, but write about some ordinary things too. She likes baking with her grandma, she sings along to her …insert favorite song, she’s the best puzzle maker in the family… Let the admissions committee see her as a real live person, not just as a compilation of adjectives.
For mine I used “weaknesses” and talked about how the child has confronted them - for example a lack of self confidence in math, but the child seeks out a tutor to help build confidence. Maybe you could include something mild like that?
Oh, I see now. I would have answered along the lines of “that he’s willing to go to BS so we can rent out his room,” but that’s just me. I would not have answered in any way that could come across as a (humble)brag.
Answers like “she likes baking” or “she’s the best puzzle maker in the family” do not genuinely answer the question IMO. Are those things that YOU like about your child or are you just trying to get in a few more ECs or amazing traits that she couldn’t wedge into the application otherwise?
I talked about stubbornness and how I thought that was a positive characteristic. I do. Really.
The prompt is “what qualities of character and mind most delight you” it seems absurd to talk about weaknesses that can be spun as strengths with a prompt like that.
Everything I wrote I could give 5+ stories about that thing happening.
Anyone who knows her would agree 100% that it’s accurate. Any one of her teachers would say “yup, those are her three best qualities.”
My friends issue was that if you don’t know her it may come off as “no kid is that great.” The thing is they asked what delights me! I’m not going to write what kind of sucks.
@Happytimes2001 as the mother of a girl I can think of about 50 instances where I will be very happy my kid is the most stubborn child on earth.
@dogsmama1997 =)) =)) =))
I think this is the way most parents handle the parent statement–as one more opportunity to check off some imaginary boxes. No offense, but I think this is also the most common and done-to-death approach. It certainly doesn’t hurt the application, but unless it’s done in some completely new, genuine, and refreshing way (and I can’t fathom what that would be at the moment), it will be common/boring at best, cringeworthy at worst.
Just say what you really like about your kid. How about:
I’m delighted when he grabs my hand at the mall, or (sort of) makes his bed when I haven’t nagged him, or doesn’t (obviously) eye-roll if I blow his cool with a hug in front of his friends. I’m delighted that I know he loves me and his dad and sometimes actually shows it. We think he’s a keeper.
And let it go at that? Just don’t overthink these responses. Unless you come off as a nut job, these statements will not be the reason for your child’s admission or rejection. Why not have a bit of fun?
@ChoatieMom thanks for the threads and the advice.
I am not the biggest fan of spinning weakness either mostly because it does seem like it’s really been done. If I had to list a weakness it would be hormones and undeveloped brain leading to occasional stupid decisions, usually they don’t result in injury thank goodness. Really that is the root cause of almost every problem I have with my kids and it simply cannot be spun only outgrown! Oh, and occasional sleep deprivation which makes them very cranky.
I would probably give no more than a passing nod (if any) to achievements–not suggesting you did this–as the school is likely have a fair sense of achievements from other inputs, e.g., academic data, recommendations, identification of achievements, etc. To me, the prompt as you’ve identified it seems to be directed to better understanding your values and the values of your child. And to the extent you want to characterize your child, you might consider letting the examples speak for you, to the extent you haven’t already done that–I know you said your comments were “grounded in” examples, but it wasn’t clear to me if you were suggesting that you know your characterizations are accurate or if you were using the examples as part of your input.
Oh, and I agree that this thread has a great title.
@dogsmama1997 : If you are interested in having a set of neutral eyes offer a brief critique of your parent essay, I will be happy to do so if you PM it to me. (Anything shared will remain confidential, of course, but it is best to delete identifying information such as names & addresses.)