Desperate

[intunement]

I'm pregnant (16 weeks) and exhausted. Hubby and I work full time in stressful jobs and need sleep.

Our 2.5 year old (31 months) started waking up multiple times per night crying/tantruming and even kicking me in the head and torso, maybe on purpose for the last few weeks.

What can we do to teach him to be quiet and still in our bed so we can get rest too?

The only thing we've tried is having Daddy take him to another room to sleep with him, but that isn't sustainable through the winter and isn't great for my husband either.

[karika]

It probably is on purpose to a degree.  to a small child, having a baby coming while he is still a baby is very threatening I am sure.  His survival instincts are kicking in.  Somewhere in the psyche, a baby knows that a new baby will take necessary resources from them.  Taking the baby to sleep elsewhere is a way for you to get rest.  I am guessing you are no longer nursing?  You have a tough situation.  These are the choices as I see them-

Get a live in nanny (or a housemate that pays no rent and does child duty whenever you need them to)

Get a nighttime nanny

have a family member come over for a few nights while you get some rest then tackle the problem with a clear head together later in the week

consider taking a leave of absence from your job, or quitting altogether- or at least having your husband quit (this is best after the new baby is at least a yo IMO).  In other cultures and countries, women are allowed and sometimes paid to stay with their children for 3 yrs.  I know the US doesn't do it, but they really should.