I am a single parent of a 3.5 year old boy and I work full time. 4 days per week my son is cared for by an amazing child-minder and on Sunday's and one evening per week he is cared for by his aunt. My job involves working shifts, I was offered the job right before I separated from my son's father, his paternal family offered to care for my son during the weekend days and evenings when I needed to work shifts and I accepted their offer, I pay them monthly and have no family of my own locally.
I am starting a new job in October and my son will be going to pre-school full time, we have been visiting regularly and he is looking forward to starting. My worry is that my son is becoming very emotional about going to his aunts, he is refusing to eat before he goes and whilst he is there he barely talks and cries for me regularly. This arrangements has been in place for two years however the last 2-3 he is emotionally all over the place. His aunt has her own children and is very experienced in caring for young children, I have no concerns that my son is being safely cared for.
I am hoping that someone may be able to offer some suggestions on how I can support my son? It is breaking my heart to see and hear him so upset. We have a close relationship however he is an emotional little boy, I have made a visual Paw Patrol Chart for him to try and help and I try and reassure him several times per day that I am always coming to collect him. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...