Scaredy Cat

[wattle]

Hi. Just wondering if it's normal for my 7 month old to be scared of machines.

He bursts into tears if I put the vacuum cleaner on and has a look on his face like the world is about to end! He also now bursts into tears if I use the hand blender, the food processor, the hairdryer or the little hand held vacuum thing.

Am I going to have to stop cooking and cleaning and get my hair cut really short? :eek:

[sopolicha]

Maybe it's just the sudden onset of the noise. Try telling him that you are turning the appliance on to give him a bit of warning, and tell him it is okay.

I know my boy doesn't like the noise or much else for that matter.

The other option to stop cooking and cleaning does have a lot of appeal.

[Peaceangels]

Hi Wattle,

My 16 month old still cries hysterically when I vacuum / use food processor, but has just stopped with the hairdryer :confused: , so hopefully it is something they grow out of.
I just make a point of using those appliances when he is asleep or out of the house with Daddy (which isn't often I might add)..........
This never bothered DS#1, so we have decided that DS#2 is just a sensitive soul!!!

[Nickster]

I always made a point of making a big "whooooosh" noise (imitating whatever appliance I was about to use) as a way to get bub's attention and introduce her to the idea that a lot of noise was about to be made. At nearly 9 months, it's so far, so good......though I'm sure the neighbours think I'm crazy!! :p
we'll see if it lasts though!! LOL!!

[JanetF]

Perfectly normal! My son is nearly 2 and still cries when he sees or hears the vacuum cleaner. We go for a lovely walk or visit a neighbour when DH vacuums :D

[flower]

Hi Wattle,
Mine too. He's 7 and a half..and I cant vacuum anymore...( I now have to sweep)and when I food process HIS meals I sneak into another room in this place and do it there. I've tried doing 'happy face' before I work an appliance in front of him just to guage whether he's going to cope...and the other day I just got through a quick hoover in front of him with him :eek: looking a little bewildered of my 'happy face'.
I too do the "hear comes noiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssssssssseeeeeeeee eeeee!"
Geez we're mad!!
O's mom.

[petster]

Yep! Can relate! Eleni isn't too bad with the vacuumn cleaner, but HATES the food processor and the hairdryer... The bottom lip drops, the eyes fill up and if I don't stop, the full on distressed cry starts! Poor little popett!

Cheers!

[ThomasMum]

Thomas is cool (maybe he's still to young to understand what fear is), but whenever I create household noises ie. vacuuming, etc he looks at me with his HUGE eyes but then after I jumped and said "BOO!" he smiles and lets me go ahead with whatever I was doing!

So maybe you could do a silly-crazy BOO jumps and your bub might not so frightened anymore?

:)

ps when it comes to entertaining Thomas, my DH is sillier than me! :D

[Milly]

My daughter is very scared of the vacuum. Even when it is off she takes the long way round to avoid it. Very very normal. :D