Deployment and a 10 mo old

momyof22b · December 2011

My DH left a couple of days ago on a 6-8 month deployment. My DDm who is 10 months old but is developmentally like a 15 month old, is taking it pretty hard, she is refusing to eat (but I'm still able to get her to take her bottle) and refusing to nap. Today she only took a 45 min nap all daywhen its usually a 4 hours total during the day. How much longer could this last? I have been showing her pictures of her dad, shes been snuggling with her Daddy doll a lot and I keep reminding her Daddy loves her. Is there any other way I can support her, she just breaks my heart.

Any advice will help!

Lissa832 · December 2011

Give her two weeks, if that. She'll learn the new routine and be back to normal. IMO, it is more about the disruption of her routine than it is about her missing daddy.

adreajoy · December 2011

https://www.iamastuffedanimal.com/

I don't know if this would be interesting to you or not, but my sister made one of her husband when he deployed and her son loved it. I plan on getting one when my husband deploys for our LO too

Smudges*Mom · December 2011

adreajoy:
https://www.iamastuffedanimal.com/

I don't know if this would be interesting to you or not, but my sister made one of her husband when he deployed and her son loved it. I plan on getting one when my husband deploys for our LO too

It sounds like the OP has gotten a Daddy Doll (https://www.daddydolls.com/store/hugahero-dolls ) for her LO already.

I agree with Lissa, your DD is likely reacting to the change in routine as well as your emotions. It is totally typical (my background is in early childhood education). I know it's difficult when your LO isn't eating and sleeping well, but she'll get back to her good habits.

Good luck to you and your family. Having a LO, another on the way and a deployed spouse is a lot. Take care of yourself, too! Snuggle your LO while she snuggles her daddy doll!

Emilia0101 · December 2011

I agree keep the routine as normal as possible. I think it normally takes kids about 2 weeks to adjust to the change. At this age kids don't really have a concept of time as much as they do change and I think that is what impacts everything.

momyof22b · December 2011

Thanks everyone. We actually don't have a Daddy doll but my husband made her a 'daddy monkey' that talks from build a bear so it talks to her. She loves pressing that button. I'm pretty sure she is reaction to my emotions cause they are COMPLETELY out of wack cause of the pregnancy on top of it. I guess I'm going to have to be patient and just keep her on the same routine like usual. Thanks for the reassurance!

sweetpea2003 · December 2011

Just keep a good solid routine - offer food and naps at normal times - and give her lots of love and hugs. It will get better.

We are on the final few days (THANK GOODNESS) of a 7 month deployment. My DD was 22 months when DH left and is a TOTAL daddy's girl. It took her about a week to realize that he wasn't there and that she couldn't call for him anymore. Even 7 months later she still loves her daddy doll and misses him tons - but she has done great. Really great. I am so thankful for a toddler's inability to grasp time.

DS was 6 months when DH left and I can honestly say (with sadness) that I don't think it made an ounce of difference to him. It has actually been harder on DH to have a son that he feels so disconnected from. With DD, she KNOWS her daddy and when we have gotten to Skype or talk on the phone she communicates with him. DS doesn't have that connection and it break's my husband's heart.

Take care of yourself. I have been keeping a blog duriing my DH's deployment... If you are interested, you can read it (link in siggy). I post a lot about parenting and my kids.

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