33 Month Old Son Clinging and Whining Allllll the Time!

Your son is almost 3. I thought 3 was worse than 2! In addition, you are expanding your family. He is feeling insecure. I would spend extra cuddle time with him. When my kids would whine, I told them "I don't speak whine. If you want something, talk in a big girl/boy voice. I can understand that". Temper tantrums? Nope I did not participate. I would get up and walk to another room. The first time I did that, my son stopped and looked around. It deflates them because they don't have an audience. He is old enough to understand manipulation and he is doing it to you.

You do need to get some control of the situation because it will be bumpy when the little one arrives. Be prepared.

To a child ...boundries feel like love. What you discribe sounds like he's needing loving,firm boundries and he will know his place in the family. Who is in charge? Before this baby gets here you had better start setting loving limits so he feels secure. He also sounds ready to be treated like a big boy. He's almost 3. I sense you are still babying him. Read the books "Love and Logic the toddler years" and "Positive disipline" . Once your new baby arrives it will be so much harder to change this. Start today! I totally agree with Gramma Rocks advice. She is telling you how to set a limit. Have consistency.
Best wishes

Whining, I say "I can't understand you, stop crying and use your words to tell me what you need/want."

Tantrums, walk away or put him in his room with the door closed, it's amazing how fast they stop when they lose their audience. Explain to him that you will not listen to him crying and screaming and walk away.

Establish and stick to a consistent bedtime routine and put a gate across his door. Teach him to stay in his room before the baby comes or you will have the both of them with you, unless that's OK with you and your husband.

Spend time with him before he acts out, reading, cuddling, playing. Does he go to daycare/preschool, storytime at the library or play with others children his age? Getting him into something will help him see that others his age aren't right next to their mommies all the time either and do fine.

With the baby coming he may be sensing the coming change and feeling insecure, try to get a handle on this now or you may be in for a very bumpy ride once the baby arrives.

Best wishes!
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OK, in light of your SWH I am going to add to my response (sorry to those who have already sent me flowers!)

If he was fine until a week ago and is now acting as if he is afraid that would send huge, red flags up for me. Have you considered the possibility that something happened to him at school or when he was out of your sight? If so I would get him to his pediatrician today. I say this as a mom whose daughter was molested, which I pray has not happened to your child, but she presented in exactly this same way.

If you are 150% sure nothing has happened, then set limits consistently, it could just be late Terrible Two's or early Terrible Three's. Children do act out even when you think they are happy and secure.

How verbal is he? Have you tried reading stories about Dads that travel and come back, about Mom's having new babies but still enough love for older child? Talk to him about what may be bothering him. Are you sure he's healthy?
Have you tried "feeding the meter" giving him attention Before he gets cranky for it?
And we're all gonna say the same thing about whining... You dont understand it. "What, what do you want? I'll do it but I cant understand you? Say it in a big boy voice and maybe I'll understand it" "OH you wanted to watch Curious George! So glad I finally understood it, of course I'll put it on for you"

Sounds like he knows mommy's going to have another baby! Kids this young may feel insecure when they know a change is about to take place - they can sense it even before you tell them! Both my kids became clingy and wanted to be carried everywhere when I was pregnant with the next child. Hard on you, that's for sure. I'd recommend spending more quality time with him, doing fun things you don't usually do with him (a fun outing or going out for dessert), giving him extra hugs and kisses. Enjoy it now before the baby arrives!