<p>My parents used to leave me home alone on weekends, because they had to work. It probably started when I was 5 or so, and I’d like to mention this in an essay that asks for a description of the way I was raised, to point out that I have always been an independent person. Does this sound like neglect? Would I be best writing about something else?</p>
<p>If that is what makes you, YOU. Write about it.</p>
<p>If you mean that your parents left you alone without adult supervision whatsoever on weekends when you were as young as 5, then not only was it neglect, is was very likely illegal (different states have different laws). I don’t think colleges will send CPS after your parents, but the whole situation may raise red flags- leaving a child that young alone for entire weekends is highly, highly unusual, if not unheard of, and admissions officers may question the authenticity of the story.</p>
<p>I agree with calgirl77. My parents left me in a similar situation: starting from 5th~6th grade, I baby-sat my two younger sisters. But we had people who rented our basement (full two bedrooms, bath, kitchen, shared yard so we ended up becoming friends with their children)… who “baby-sat” us. So technically, our parents didn’t leave us without adult supervision. </p>
<p>Maybe notch up the age a little bit to 13~14 years old? Then you’re allowed to be left home alone.</p>
<p>Thanks, I don’t think I’ll be writing about that.</p>
<p>Keilinger, this sounds like it might be a big part of what makes you “you.” Try writing about it and see how it turns out. Describe how it looked/felt to you as a five-year-old and how it looks/feels to you now. That is the insight into who you are that admissions want.</p>
<p>If you write it up and YOU don’t like it, don’t use it. If you think it says something about who you are and how independent you have always been, I recommend using it.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>P.S. Certainly don’t adjust the ages to make it more believeable. A simply stated, truthful account will be believeable.</p>