I have recently separated form my baby boys father and moved house. I have been overly stressed and very tired and have (in hindsight) neglected how my little boy must be feeling. When i first moved he was surprisngly fine - settled into a new nursery fantastically, didn't go backwards on potty training - he was even dry at night. Since Christmas and the weeks running up to Christmas his behavour has changed - he struggles with his speech so much so that he has taken to being quiet when he is normally very outgoing - he is not sleeping the full night and is very scared of things. I just want my little boy back and i feel that this is all my fault because i have been so distant. i am only 24 and just feel completely lost and hurt every time i look into my little boys eyes because he can;t tell me what is going on in his head. he stills sees his Dada one day and night per week but when he comes home his behaviour is terrible and it just feels like everything i have done during hte week with him is wiped out. i really need some advice because he is the apple of my eye and all i do at the minute is cry my eyes out and he must be thinking it is his fault.

Oh honey I really, really feel for you..

I was a single mother for a long time until I met my husband, and I know it's a hell of a struggle...

My little girl was 9 months old when her Dad and I split up, and although she sees him as often as we are able to manage (he lives a long way away), it's had a terrible effect on her too. She had chronic constipation for over 18 months, her Nana (my mum) died when she was 3, we've moved over 5 times in her lifetime, and it's only been since she started school, and had a stable home life that she's got back onto some sort of level.

What's happening with your little boy is NOT YOUR FAULT. Being a single parent is no joke, and I can totally understand how you are feeling. You have done nothing wrong, you love your son, and just by loving him, you are the best mum in the world.

Get down on his level - tell him you love him and just talk to him - if he doesn't reply then that's ok - you know he can hear you, and he will take it all on board.

Talk to his Dad, too, and lay out some ground rules about your routine that you have with your son, and that you expect him to follow your sons routine. I'm lucky that I'm still good friends with my daughters Dad, and we can talk openly about her and her needs. I know that's not true for everyone. Try and encourage him to spend as much time as possible with his son - I don't know if the relationship you have with his Dad is a good one, or if you can't stand each other, but he is his Dad, and if you are your sons main carer, he must respect the way you want to bring your son up, and his routines, habits and who he is.

Give it time, hon... like I say, love your son, talk to other folk, and you will get there.

*Hugs you*

And don't forget that you need 'me' time too - do something that makes you feel good about yourself, babysitters pending..

It seems to me that your son might be trying to tell you something, with out useing words. Is he happy at dads? or maybe theres a problem there? Its not easy being on your own with a child, you can only do your best, Dont beat your self up to much. If your upset and unsettled, your son will be as well. Lots more hugs and telling him how loved he is by you both, Things will settle down! Best wishes.

It may be that he's too little to understand why he spends the night at Dad's, plus his Dad may have a different routine which upsets him Why not just let him be with his Dad for a few hours during the day and then sleep in his own bed...Is his Dad gentle and loving? Please be guided by your son on this one, he is trying to tell you something.