Which of the following is a sign that a child might be having trouble adjusting after parental divorce?

• A. Sleep issues
• B. Perfect attendance
• C. Rapid improvement in grades
• D. No emotional changes

Answer: (A)

Sleep issues show that a child may be struggling to adjust after parental divorce. When a family situation changes, kids often experience anxiety and disruption in routines. That stress can show up at night as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or nightmares, and daytime effects like fatigue, irritability, and trouble concentrating. These signs point to emotional distress and adjustment challenges, making sleep problems a plausible early indicator of trouble.

In contrast, staying perfectly attend­ing school, rapid improvements in grades, or not showing any emotional changes are not typical signs of a child having trouble adjusting. Perfect attendance suggests the child is managing school routines, while rapid grade improvement or no emotional changes could reflect other dynamics and do not consistently signal distress from the divorce. If sleep issues appear, addressing routines, providing reassurance, and offering emotional support or counseling if needed can help the child cope and adjust more smoothly.