New Live-In Boyfriend and a 3-Year-Old

Dear Dr. Meg,

My 3 year old is waking up 4 or 5 times in the middle of the night and I’m getting no sleep.  I’m afraid it might be the changes that have taken place in my life that have affected him directly.  I am in a new relationship and the man I’m dating moved in with us.   I went back to work and he started school. My son goes to school from 8:30am to 2:30pm Monday through Friday.  I take him to school everyday but some days my boyfriend picks him up, cooks him dinner, bathes him and puts him to bed.  I’m afraid the stress is too much on him and I don’t want to hurt my son.  Please help!

Signed,

Sleepless Mom

Dear Sleepless Mom-

Your 3 year old is trying to send you a message loud and clear- he can’t take the stress! The truth is, and I know that this is hard for you to hear, he can’t handle your boyfriend living in your home. Since your responsibility as a mom is to your son first, your boyfriend needs to move out.

I know you don’t want to hear this, but you must face the truth. There is something about your boyfriend that your son doesn’t trust and you aren’t seeing it. He may seem like a nice guy to you, but kids read people better than we do because they aren’t blinded by love. Your son doesn’t trust this man and you shouldn’t.

Please do the right thing and have your boyfriend move out. Take your relationship slower. Get to know him better and don’t leave him alone with your son.

Signed,

Dr. Meg