Sorry about the kids having a rough time. My S is 2 and half and having a horrible time. He acts out at daycare, when he stays with me he sits and cries on the stairs at night or by the window waiting for mommy. He will wake up upset in the middle of the night, and he does the same at her place. It breaks my heart, I'm sorry your dealing with it as well.
My W has seen it a few times at her place and asked about it, she began to just bawl. So I don't think they know, and when I tried to tell her she said I was manipulating. You have to wait for the clarity to hit them.