Just Ask: Psychology
38
Maisa El Mofty
Chairperson of the Department of Psychology in Ain Shams University.
Dear Dr,
This year, my parents got divorced. My father moved to London, while I live here in Cairo with my mother. I have always been a smart and good student in my class, but I don’ t think I am anymore. My teacher makes me sit in the front and is always upset with me for acting like a clown. I don’ t want to be the bad student. What do I do?- Adam( 8)
Dear Adam, Divorce at any age can be a shock, a complete change in lifestyle. You will feel resistance, unacceptance, and fear of the future. Will your parents remarry someone else? Will your father always live abroad? You don’ t know what the future will bring, and it is normal to be scared.. You are combatting your fear, shock, and anxiety by clowning around. It’ s a way of saying you’ re ok, and it doesn’ t matter that they’ re divorced. But this is a reflection of your unstable situation. You don’ t mean to do all these things, you do them in order to protect yourself. You have already realized that you do not like his situation and want to change it. Take some time to realize that this is part of life. Divorce has become very frequent now due to stress in this difficult life.. You must be patient, accept it, and know this temporary state will pass. You will be okay. chestercountymoms. com