my sister and her husband just split up about a month ago and she moved back here to Tx. from La. Heres the Q. My nephew (her son) who is 31/2 started pooping in his pants and now he wont eat. If he eats its not much at all. today is his brothers b-day and he didnt even eat the cupcake! now, for the last couple of days he's been throwing up in his bed or anywhere. and last night he made himself throw up. I think its some kind of emotional stress going on, do you? I would really like to know from people who have been through a divorce or something like this. If it keeps getting worse, then were going to take him to the doctor! please help!
2007-07-05 17:09:24 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
This isn't a "physical illness" and should not be treated as a flu or a cold virus. He is stressed out emotionally over the separation of his parents. Family members should explain the situation that a 3 1/2 yr old can understand. Forcing himself to throw up is a way of him seeking attention just because he wants to know that he is still loved and cared for. My son did the same thing when his biological father and I split up and his "father" was in and out of his life. It takes time to heal these kinds of wounds but they will over time. Just be supportive of him and if possible (I'm not sure of the whole situation ie: reason for the split) but if he can, make sure he can talk to his dad to let him (your nephew) that daddy still loves him.
Best of luck!
2007-07-05 18:37:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He's still very young to really know what's going on and will eventually get used to new surroundings and new people as well. He just needs lots of TLC and a little attention.
Situations surrounding the absence of people as it happens with divorces or deaths or any family separation will be a struggle if the child was very attached to the person, but will slowly kind of forget and learn to accept that they no longer live there.
It sounds more like he has a condition and should be seen by a doctor immediately. It may not be stress related, but please have him checked out right away, he may be in pain, or he may have an infection or a virus, poor kid. Good luck.
2007-07-07 04:45:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I, myself have never been through a divorce but my aunt who had 3 kids at the time of her divorce did go through something alot like that. Her oldest son was the same way and she didn't know what was wrong so she took him to the doctor and he told her that it was caused from stress. And that he needed to stay away from stress and be made to eat, because even if he throws up he would at least be getting something from the food, where if he didn't eat at all he wouldn't be getting anything. Hope this helps, and everything works out ok for all of you. I know it's hard for families to break up. Good Luck and Take Care!!!!
2007-07-05 17:19:26 · answer #3 · answered by laceys_mom96 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
3 is really young but I know how stressfull divorces can be on kids. Don't wait for it to get worse take him NOW. Who knows what is going on and I wouldn't tell the doctor right away about the separation from dad unless he asks. The doctor may not explore all possibilities if you come in and diagnose for them. Try talking to him or have someone else try talking to him and giving him constant reassurance that they will be there for him. Prob best if mom does it. And if possible let him talk to his father that may shed some light on things for him. Maybe he isn't eating because he knows everyone wants him to eat, try telling him he never hast to eat again...that may make him eat everything in sight just to be defiant. I hope things get better for the little guy. Best Wishes..hope I helped.
2007-07-05 17:18:52 · answer #4 · answered by Nale 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is just awful. It sounds to me like they are letting him see to much of the stress of the divorce. Do they fight around him or talk about it around him? Even tho he us only 3 he is probably incredibly sensitive to what's going on. They should be trying harder to keep their issues away from his sight and hearing so he doesn't have to experience all of that. Someone mentioned that divorce is like a death to a child. That makes sense to me. My heart goes out to him. He didn't ask for his world to go to pieces on him like that. He just wants to be a happy little 3 yr old in a happy home with a happy mom and dad. He's not getting what he deserves and that just makes me mad for him. Guess I'm not helping much. Sorry.
2007-07-06 04:37:23 · answer #5 · answered by I39 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's an awful lot for a little one to go through... a lot of changes.. stress tests say divorce is equal to a death, so is moving.. so those two alone are like going through two deaths... time will probably help, so will lots of reinforcement that things will be okay, trying to make life as "normal" for him as possible.. favorite foods, routine, etc.. and yes, if it keeps up, I'd take him to a doctor for advice...
2007-07-05 17:16:13 · answer #6 · answered by Wildflower 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Divorce is really hard on kids. He needs to go to the doctor as well as a therapist. He doesn't know how to deal with the hurt & anger he is going thru. Be patient with him & don't ever talk bad about his father in front of him no matter what kind of person he may be. This will just make it harder on him.
2007-07-05 17:26:46 · answer #7 · answered by foreverhoyt 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He nay be acting out because of the situation and because of the move...Seeing a doctor wont hurt, the doc may make suggesting for mom and all of you that are around him can do...Kids do go thought times were the eat less, you wonder if they are starving sometimes...Him making himself throw up and the BM in his britches is him seeking attention and showing mom he is not liking whats happening around him...
2007-07-05 17:18:09 · answer #8 · answered by ABBYsMom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While it could be stress, it sound more like a stomach condition to me. A child that age sometimes can't make the dash to the bathroom when they are sick.
He probably just needs to go to the Dr. and get some help for the flu.
2007-07-05 17:18:01 · answer #9 · answered by ∞ sky3000 ∞ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
divorce can kill kids emotionally. really all you can do is pull him aside, and go ride a choo choo train or go to the park or something. that would be a good job for you because it may be stressful for him if the parents went.
2007-07-05 17:13:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anon omus 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋