Some days (nights) are harder than others

[savienu]

My little one (2 1/2) was up sick last night for several hours, vomiting. I am 36 weeks pregnant, and boy was I missing my husband (her father) in the midst of all of this. I had really taken for granted how much of a help he was, but it was very overwhelming to be up with her, big and pregnant, without him and the ability to "tag team," so to speak.
Also, my 5 year is really not doing well with his Dad being gone. He is acting out (and up) in ways I have never seen from him before. I am a pretty good disciplinarian and he has not had behavioral issues like this in the past. He is throwing things, screaming "No!" at me, and is very impulsive. Also, I have seen him start to regress in other areas- he is sucking his thumb or his fingers constantly. He has also started sleepwalking on occasion and having nightmares. My husband's due to be home in 3 months, provided they allow him back in our house (which they are saying he will be), but I'm not sure what to do to help my son in the meantime.
Thanks for listening.

[Jootje]

First of all thumbs for handling this all on your own!!

I do think that the behaviour of your son may be due to all that is going on, not only it there a new baby on the way, he is also missing his father. His thoughts and feelings may be all jumbled up and he is too young to know how to handle so he is taking it out on you, you are the easiest target since you are still around.

Maybe buy coloured paper, stickers, and markers and make him a count down calendar so that he can cross out a day till daddy comes home. It gets him more involved in this whole process. I assume you protect him from all the details on why his daddy is away and that is a good thing because he is too you to understand but you can involve him on his daddy coming back home.

[savienu]

Thanks for the reply and the encouragement. This forum is invaluable for that.
I hesitate to start doing a countdown calendar with my son lest there be any "surprises" and he doesn't come home when we expect him to, y'know? And yes, I have tried to protect him from the details. My concern is that I'm sure he has overheard some things and knows more than I have told him.

[savienu]

Oops. Duplicate post.

[LoyalMom]

Oh, My Dear - I can relate - my son is in a Texas prison for two years and he has left his wife, a 4 year old daughter (the love of HIS life!) and a 9 year old step-son. Needless to say, I can so understand your situation because my daughter-in-law feels the same way as you do! It just flat ISN'T EASY!!!!! However, I believe that God will make you realize that you are much stronger than you realize, just ask Him to help you. My Mother, who is now deceased, always told me, "You can not depend on another human being for anything - ONLY GOD, who will never let you down, because he loves you more than you will ever know. Sorry, I get a little preachy......you will do fine.

[savienu]

No, preach away. God is definitely my source of strength, and I need to be reminded of that!