Do you have a happy family? Or, do you have a good relationship with your family members? It has recently been brought to my attention that more and more couples divorce in the lately years. Nevertheless, children are invariably the main sufferer in such a case. In “The Suitcase Kid”, Andy, the protagonist of the story, is just facing different kinds of arduous troubles in her life when their parents have just split up.

Before sharing my sentiments about the story, I would like to have a concise presentation of its idea with you first. Andy, the main character of the story, was ten when their parents split up. At first, she could hardly decide whether living with her dad or mum. Yet, this problem was settled as Andy determined to live with her mum and dad one week each. Although this problem was solved, Andy had to face her step parents, make arrangements on her life, and so on. Under this predicament, her study was critically degenerated.

From my point of view, I feel intensely frustrated with parents who break a marriage easily. It is irresponsible for them to split up without taking their children into account. As the case stands, there are many harmful effects to those children, especially when they are young, who have a fragmented family. Begin with the new living style, children may not be able to accommodate with their new family. Just like Andy in the book, she didn’t like to live with her new siblings. She had to share the bedroom with them as well. In our daily life, the same thing happens. Most of the children who have a single-parent family are living under great pressure. First, their school life will be affected. Since they do not have a complete family, they will be ridicule by their schoolmates. They do not only have to burden much pressure from their family, but also have to face their schoolmates. In this way, they will feel very depressed and are full of sorrow. Furthermore, as they are in a bit of a mood cause by their family, they cannot concentrate on their study. As a result, their academic results are always unideal.

Other than affecting the study of the children, there are also disadvantages on the children’s adolesce. For instance, their behavior will become abominable. Some children may fight the others in order to attract their parents’ attention. Some of them may become uncommunicative and do not want to talk with others. Just like Graham in the story, he doesn’t want to talk with others and lose himself in the computer. However, the most important problem is that when the children have grown up, they will not be able to have enough courage to get married. They have to worry about if they will split up easily.

In response to the harmful effects of divorce, I think the parents have to bear the responsibility. For a start, I suggest they should get married before taking serious consideration. Nowadays, many couples split up easily because of some small arguments. This is mainly because they don’t acquaint each other before they have a marriage. After a considerable period of time, they may already have a baby. But then, they notice that they have many divarications in their daily life and their marriage is always ended in divorce. Besides, I think couples should think gravely before giving birth to a baby. Just like feeding a pet, if you are not sure whether you will enjoy your life with a pet, do not rear them. Contrariously, we should not regret it after we have given birth to a baby, especially when they have grown up. In fact, I think divorce is not the only way to solve the problem. Instead, I think they can ask some family counselling services for help. In this way, they do not only can maintain their marriage, but also good for their children.

Although Andy is facing different kinds of obstacles in her new living style, she has also done a good job. Thus, I appreciate her so much. At first, Andy doesn’t like her new brothers and sisters. However, she understands that her parents have already split up and she must live with her new family. Therefore, she accepted her new family at last. In our daily life, we have to face many problems as well. So, I think we should be able to adapt new things around us even if we don’t want to. And Andy is just a good example for us to learn.

All in all, this book has given me a lot of edifications. After reading this story, I think that we should be brave to face any problem in our life. Evading the fact is never a solution of solving difficulties. And I hope that people who have read this story, especially the parents, can think seriously before making decision.