Long Term Effects of Short-ish Term Job Away from Home

I have not experienced quite that long of a separation but my husband did travel quite a bit when the kids were growing up. That nightly skype is great and important. Dad is checking in every day. That Dad commits time to the kids when he is home is also big! Special time with your son alone will leave its mark. Make the time special when you are all together and if your son is in Christmas plays, etc.... try and get Dad home for that.

Sounds like your husband is involved. I don't think you need to worry. It's how he interacts when they are together. That effort. I'd be worried if Dad came home and played golf all day instead of spending time with the family, but doesn't sound like you have that. You sound connected.

When your son says he doesn't like Daddy do you ask him what it is about Daddy he doesn't like? Help him to acknowledge his feelings. Do your best to explain why you have to be separated and reinforce how how much his father cares for him. But don't shame him for his feelings.

To answer your question..... my sons have a great relationship with their Dad.

My husband was deployed for 7 months. We were able to Skype a few times a week. My kids were 5, 2, and 5 months when he left. It was hard, but there were no long-term effects. He's been home 18 months now.

I graduated a year before my husband and took a job 4 hrs away. We were juggling four kids, two households, new schools, new neighbors, and a lot of time missing each other. It worked out fine but it was lots of work. It's not something I would recommend if there wasn't an end in sight.

You know what I found weird? The older my son gets, the more it bothers him when dad's on a trip.
I thought it would be a case of him "getting used" to it, but it seems the opposite with mine. (He's 9.5 now.)
So...I guess it's food there is an "end date" in your case and that your little guy is young still.
Keep up the Skype, notes, phone calls, etc...IME, that really helps!
Good luck!

Is the Med school that is upcoming, going to be in your same town?
Or he will be away for that too?

It seems this cannot be avoided, him being away, per his job, then for med school.

A child will miss their parent. Him saying he does not like Daddy is just him at his young age, TRYING to express his feelings. They are not astute about emotions, they just are trying to fathom it.
It is not literal.
But YES, continue to allow your son to express himself.... boys especially need to know that. Being pent-up about his feelings, are worse. In the long run. A child needs a soft place to fall, and a shoulder to lean on and say things to. You or Daddy.

I have a friend who's Husband is always away, on work trips and overseas, and he just has LONG hours and is hardly home. They have 3 young children. They miss their Daddy. But when he is home, he is THERE and very hands on. And they communicate often. AND he stays in touch, with his Wife about EVERYTHING. Because, he knows it is stressful on his wife, too.
For them, this is just the nature of his job. But they are all, very close. And they manage. And the kids too.... for the kids, this is all they know- ie: their Daddy being away a lot for his job. But again, he is very in touch with his family and kids and wife and is very hands on. And he is a thoughtful guy.

Like the other respondent said below: if there is an end in sight, then this is all temporary. But if your Husband will always be away, and per med school... then I don't know... your son, like many children, will miss their parent, and they don't know how the world works, nor that their parent is gone so much.
But you/husband need to sock away money. That is the immediate at hand. Its hard.

Besides just doing Skype or Husband playing with your son when he is home: your Husband can MAIL him cute little letters. Kids like to get mail. Even drawings in crayon that your Husband makes. Or a note saying "I love you, you are my special boy...." on it and mail it to your son. Any parent can find time to do that. Your son will appreciate it and feel "special."
And it doesn't cost, much... but will be a lot in terms of emotional well being for your son, and him feeling that his Daddy is thinking of him even if he is far away.
Simple things, but meaningful things, for a young child.

And, I am sure you are talking with your son, "explaining" that Daddy is working but loves him. AND also, your Husband can, talk with your son too... to give him solace about him being away in person, but close in heart etc. Kids, benefit by being talked with, about the situation. In kid terms that they can understand. It can really help.
And validating their feelings, too.
ie: when my kids would say that they miss Daddy, because he was working so much and not home... I would tell them "Yes, I know you miss him. I miss him too... its hard..." and hug my kids. Just validating them and showing them YOU understand, makes a big difference. Versus just trying to change their feelings or dissuading them.

I deployed for a year when my boys were 6 and 7. It was tough on everyone, but luckily kids are extremely resilient. They are 9 and 10 now and it hasn't affected our relationship in the least.

It's important, when he visits, and once he comes home for good, to get right back into the family schedule. Keep things as consistent as possible and try not to let his homecoming turn things upside down for the whole house. That makes readjusting after so long much easier. Children struggle when their world isn't consistent, so if you get a lot of behavioral problems from your son, you can bet that it has to do with him not feeling secure in his little world. Ensure that he knows what is expected of himself and those around him, and he'll be just fine.

Best of luck!
♥
C. Lee

There shouldn't be any effects at this age. He knows that dad is gone but dad comes back. It's when they are 10 or so that things get a bit harder.

As the poster stated you know there is an end to this so count the days down to the end. Once it is over, have a nice mini trip away as a family to a local resort or park.

The other S.

PS My son was older when dad was deployed during Desert Shield/Gulf Storm and he had strong feelings of separation. Once dad was home all worked out.