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Parenting

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Is our time working giving 5yo separation issues?

33 replies

Pagetta · 24/04/2018 13:48

I have two DS age 1 and 5. Husband is in the military. I went back to work last June, and I work full time, so drop the boys off at 7.30 (breakkie club and childminder) pick up at 6, so don’t see much of them in the week.
We’ve not moved around with his job as until last year he was only ever based in one place, and whilst he is away a lot on and off, he hasn’t done more than a month continually away since my eldest was a toddler – BUT he is now posted over 200 miles away Monday to Thursday!
Add to this he has just had a really busy period, and from mid January until Good Friday he only had 7 days in the country. And some of them were arriving home late Saturday night / leaving early Sunday morning so he didn’t see the boys for more than half an hour.
Over Easter, he got 2 weeks off so got some good time with the boys. However during this time my eldest was given opportunity to have a sleepover at his friends house, then they would come back to ours the next night for a sleepover – something we have done in the past quite a few times. But when it came to it he got in a complete state and said he didn’t want to spend the night away from me and daddy and his little brother because he’d miss us all so much. He was crying so much he was nearly hyperventilating and it took ages to calm him down. The next day he went back and forth with deciding whether to go and in the end didn’t go, but did have her over.
I thought perhaps it was where tiredness from the school term was catching up with him, but last weekend we dropped them at my parents (who live 3 hours away but we see a lot and he adores) so we could go on a surprise date night away DH had organised. About half an hour before we left he got really upset again. It broke my heart but we calmed him down, and as we left he stood with big red eyes waving us off, trying so hard not to cry.
We also just booked a holiday – Eurocamp similar to last year - and were telling him about it and about the kids club – and he got really upset about kids club saying he didn’t want to go as he didn’t like it last year he just wanted to hang out with us.
I guess my question is – do you think this is down to DH’s comings and goings and not being around, and also the fact I work full time? Or is this more developmental and quite common for them to get so emotional at around 5 and a half?
Is there anything anyone would suggest to help him not be so distraught? He is a confident, fun little boy with lots of friends and very sociable (he was voted in as Vice Chair of the Pupil Governor board by class mates in his first term in reception so I have no worries about how he is mixing with kids (sorry for the brag I’m dead proud ha!)!)
Any advice or thoughts appreciated - thank you :-)

OP posts:
KanyeWesticle · 25/04/2018 17:38

It does sound very full-on and unpredictable for a little one. He seems to be quite articulate and aware of his feelings, which is great, and as a mum, your recognising and acknowledging how he's feeling is really important. Good on you for that!

It's not realistic to drop everything and change jobs and schedules immediately. I'm sure you're fully aware it's not ideal, but whose life is, really?! Working parents manage as best we can - and we're all muddling along. Shame doesn't help.

As to practical things that might help your son now, I'd try to do more low-key, less structured activities as a family where you can.

I'd ditch the kids club on holiday - just spend time together.

It's not clear whether he does formal swimming lessons and rugby club. If so, maybe offer him the choice of dropping those and going swimming as a family, and spending time together playing in the park instead? Maybe invite his best friend along to the park.

There's time for serious skillbuilding and competitive sports when he's more settled and older.

feelinginthedark · 25/04/2018 21:20

OP I really feel for you as someone struggling to spend time with my kids aged 5 and 3 - DH doesn't work away but we both work ridiculous full time hours. We have done childcare out of the home and in home and in my experience the girls are much more settled with a minder / nanny at home. They feel more connected to us as parents and less exhausted at the end of the week as they are generally more relaxed at home. Bonus also is that the nanny does child related laundry, cleaning, random jobs etc, and takes them to swimming etc during the week, which frees up weekends for more quality family time.

Just to point out also that we're not huge earners and this arrangement is a massive strain on us financially but one which is worth it to us for the moment while they are small.

colditz · 25/04/2018 21:35

Yes, I think it probably is causing some of the separation anxiety. but as you're adamant nothing can possibly be changed, he's going to have to learn to live with it.

The only advice I can give is for you to not send him away from you when you don't have to, when he's away from you for 55 hours a week Monday to Friday. It's a long time.

And I'm not judging you. You are clearly struggling financially and nobody can just opt to starve the kids to spend more time with them. But his reaction to being away from you is clearly telling you what he needs.

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Horsedogbird · 25/04/2018 21:49

I'm sorry but I have to agree with the others. I think they just want you both around more.

BoxsetsAndPopcorn · 26/04/2018 22:13

It's likely a mixture of things. A new sibling often upsets the apple cart as they go from having all the attention to being second in line as a litttle one usually takes priority.

Missing dad is also going to be an issue but I get that you both need to work and supporting a child financially is part of parenting.

The bit I don't get it you going out or using kids clubs when your children quite clearly need you to spend time with them. No point in taking a family holiday if the children are being sent to babysitters.

NellMangel · 26/04/2018 22:58

Yes he's probably missing quality time with his mum and dad. I guess the thought of going off places (sleepovers and kids club) by himself while his little brother stays with you might also be upsetting for him.

I think a lot of children do the long school days you've described. My 3 year old is out of the house 9.5 hours a day, I've never had people gasp in horror about it??

CoolAsACourgette · 26/04/2018 23:11

OP, my son (also 5.5, in reception) has definitely become more of a homebody since starting school despite our home life being far less hectic than yours (I only worked PT for one term of school before going on mat leave). Despite being confident and outgoing he is resolute that he does not want to apend any 'extra' time away from home without us being there- No afterschool activities where I'm not there, No overnights with GPs (despite doing them before), no holiday clubs etc. I've put it down to starting school and suddenly feeling as if a lot of time is away from us/home (esp as he has two younger siblings at home) and therefore wanting to make the most of the time he has with us. I'm starting to see him come out of that phase now but I do think there is a developmental change at this age

ovenchips · 27/04/2018 09:06

Hi OP. Sounds like a tricky situation. Here's what I would think about doing:
Acknowledging and validating his sad feelings. Massively, massively, massively. Recognising them, validating them, referring to them. Not minimising them in any way -
no mention of why real life means his dad has to be away or his mum has to work a long day. Just lots and lots of 'I can see that you are feeling sad about...that must feel awful for you' etc. See book How To Talk So Children Will Listen and Listen So Children Will Talk for this method. It's fantastic!

Try to clarify with your DS what is making him feel sad about being separated from his parents. Lots and lots of listening from you. Is it his dad being away so much? Is it his mum's job? It could be one of these, or both or something related but different. You need to know what it is. He needs to be able to explain it without you chipping in and coming up with all the extenuating circs as to why things are the way they are.

Then I'd try to drill down more about the specifics. For example if it was his dad being away I would ask him what specifically makes him sad. Is it that he's not home enough? Is it that he doesn't know when he's going to be home? Is it that he doesn't feel connected enough to his dad when his dad's away? Is it that he doesn't 'get' enough time with him when he is home? Etc.

Then I would ask him to have a think about what would make this sad situation a little better for him. Give him a couple of days to ponder. Make a list of everything he says, whether impossible or not. Add in some suggestions of your own. Pin the list up where he can see it. Identify together some from the list that are doable and do them. Keep the list in view as a reminder for both him and you of what he needs to change. Keep referring to it like a working document so your son knows it's a short/ medium term priority.

Practically I would hugely cut down on outside activities: swimming, rugby, sleepovers etc. He's at young end of scale for them and at mo it's time with Mum and/or Dad he needs. Plenty of time for the activities when he's a bit older/ less anxious.

I don't know what outcome of your son talking about what is making him sad will be - what the root of it is - but I think in medium-term you and your husband might need to acknowledge that both your working arrangements together may need to be re-evaluated. And consider working less/ differently. Not easy to acknowledge but may be necessary.

You are so right that you are both parents and partners to each other and it's very easy to forget the partner bit. But as you said, the children are your priority and I think right now things like date night/ kids' club need to go on back burner whilst you try to make your son feel more secure. This won't be forever, you don't need to martyr yourself on a bonfire. It's just while your son is struggling.

I wish you luck in sorting it out. You have a very busy life and you are having to do an awful lot - it's not easy.

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