My 2 year old is terrified of my new Vacuum when I brought it home and started cleaning he lost it. It is a bit louder then my last one but not by much at all. Now here is the weird thing my 3 month old baby girl loves it! Any suggestion to help my son out so he doesn't freak out when I use the vacuum every day?
2006-11-28 23:07:49 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
My 2 year old son is terrified of the vacuum too. He wasn't always that way. He won't go near a toy vacuum either. He will pretend to vacuum with his toy lawn mower though (weird). My vacuum sits out all day and he passes it several times but freaks out when its time to use it.
So, to help my son, I vacuum at the same time everyday. That way he knows its coming. He goes to his bedroom and shuts the door. He stays in there while I vacuum. While in there he listens to music, has snack, and plays. He feels safe and knows that mama will come and get him when she's all done. I vacuum his bedroom only once a week and during that time daddy distracts him and I vacuum his room with the door shut.
If I plan on doing extensive vacuuming I send him to his grandparent's house for a couple of hours. I don't worry about him freaking out, he gets to play with his grandparents and everyone is happy.
2006-11-29 13:03:57 · answer #1 · answered by Andie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may want to make sure that it is the vacuum that he does not like and not the sound. You may want to try to record it and play the sound and see if it bothers him. (Make sure that you don't surprise him with it.) If it is just the vacuum I would bet that he will grow out of it. Other then that you may want to find him what he would consider a "safe place". I know of a kid that hides under the kitchen table up on the chairs when the vacuum is going. I hope the best for you.
2006-11-28 23:20:11 · answer #2 · answered by Today is the Day 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My youngest son was also terrified by the vacuum. Everytime I would start it up, he would run into the other room. I just kept assuring him that it wouldn't hurt him, that it was just a noise. He's still a little skittish of it, but not nearly as terrified as before. It's just something they have to get used to. You could try getting him one of those play vacuums and letting him "help" you to clean up. Maybe letting him do his room while you do the livingroom. It won't last forever, I promise. Good luck!!
2006-11-29 01:31:22 · answer #3 · answered by Crystal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this problem with my son. I finally helped him get over it by holding him while I vacuumed. It only took a time or two of this before he realized it wasn't hurting anything.
This did not work with my 2 year old daughter, so I had to take a different approach. I let her "help". She stands in front of me and helps me push for a few swipes, then usually loses interest and runs off to play.
If worst comes to worst, you can always do it during naptime!
2006-11-29 06:11:54 · answer #4 · answered by Robin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My grandson is the exact same way..He is terrified of the vacuum. He screams everytime his mother turns on the vacuum. I got my daughter one of those carpet sweepers that requires no batteries or electricity. great for in between vacuums....She only uses the electric vacuum when he's not home
2006-11-28 23:15:01 · answer #5 · answered by Sunshine 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to vacuum while my hubby gave the kids a bath. That way they wouldn't freak out.
2006-11-28 23:24:35 · answer #6 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some kids can react differently.
basicly some kids will be even more afraid if you push them to touch it, while others will welcome your helping hand
some kids may even find humor in you acting like your being attacked by it then saying "just kidding!" if you do this method however, do not wear any loose clothing as it can wrap around the roller possibly scraping your arm or fingers up and/or wearking out the motor prematurely.
if worse comes to worse get him one of the toy vacuum cleaners that have the popping balls in it
2006-11-28 23:20:26 · answer #7 · answered by dark_desparado66 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe get him a little one so he can help you vacuum...show him what it does...put a small piece of paper or something on the ground and let him suck it up w/ the vacuum...that's all I can think of...Good luck!
2006-11-28 23:18:08 · answer #8 · answered by Renee B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him touch it and look at it when you aren't using it. Let him know it's ok and it won't hurt him. Let him try to vacuum if he shows an interest in it. Don't stop just cause he doesn't like it....
2006-11-28 23:11:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, i agree to let him touch it when it is not on, maybe while explaining to him what it does you can something like "the vacuum goes vrooom" and make the noise then ask him if he wants to help you vacuum.
2006-11-29 00:57:26 · answer #10 · answered by yensenm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋