have a son who is almost 3 years old, and he’s been having a really hard time adjusting since his dad was deployed. We’re only a few weeks into a year-long deployment, and the change has been very difficult for him.
He misses his dad deeply. He’s even started asking for his dad in his sleep, and sometimes he thinks my husband is outside in his truck. Lately, he’s been much more clingy, throwing tantrums when he doesn’t get his way, which is unlike him. He’s also crying more and gets frustrated very easily.
There’s been a lot of change all at once. I work full-time, and I had to adjust my schedule, so now he’s waking up earlier and spending mornings with his grandma. I drop him off at her house so she can take him to daycare, and I pick him up later. But this change seems to confuse him, he thinks he’s going to stay with grandma all day.
Daycare has become especially hard. He’s started crying uncontrollably there and even hitting himself out of frustration.
I feel overwhelmed, defeated, and lost. Sometimes I think about quitting my job just to stay home with him. I don’t know what to do or where to start in getting him help or therapy. Has anybody gone through something like this with their little ones?