I'm feeling out of sync with my DS, who is an only child and has just turned 3. We used to have a great bond, but I've just changed from doing 3 days a week at work to 4 days, and grandparents have become involved in care, and it seems to have really tipped the balance. I find that I don't understand him as well and don't know what to do with him.
He has started acting out, everything I suggest is 'no', he demands my constant attention, but doesn't want to play with me or do anything. He wants to just be cuddled or he lies on the floor calling me, or misbehaves. He's a good child generally but I'm finding more and more that I waste my prescious time that I'm with him telling him off. Then he gets more upset, and it all deteriorates.
DP thinks I give him too much attention, and instead I should prioritise housework when at home so that DS will leartn to 'slot in' and play by himself. I just feel that me and DS have lost something, we used to be such a team and loved spending time doing things together. Partly I think don't know how to play with him now he's older. I'm also unhappy in my life outside of DS, and worry it seeps into my attitude with him.
So please could you share your suggestions, what do you love doing with your 3 year olds, what do they love doing with you? How can we reconnect and go back to being a team? How can I leave the rest of my problems aside and just be a good mum to him?