The hardest part of what you are going through is that you can't protect your child from finding out who is father is. The only thing you can do is not tell him things that you don't know for sure. The worst thing to do is create expectations - maybe dad will come today. Don't tell him Dad is at work. Tell him simply that you are not sure when Dad will be here, but you will try to find out.

Yes - the fun parent gets a lot of kudos. It is hard not to be jealous of it. But, trust me, when he is sick , worried, angry, happy - he will come back to that person that is safe. That is you.

But - you can't protect your son from his dad. All you can do is make it a safe landing for him when he is hurt.

So the answer is yes - we all go through this at one point. You are the safe person to be angry at - the other parent is not there and he is not sure when he will be there. That is scary stuff to a young child.