3.5 years and still scared of the hoover

[llareggub]

Well, the noise of it more than anything. Similar noises have the same effect; he tries to hide behind me and will disappear when I used the food mixer.

What I once found cute and an excuse not to hoover is becoming a worry. Any experiences/advice?

He is 3.5, very independent and energetic. This quirk seems very out of character.

Is he actually, genuinely scared, or just bothered by the noise?

Because my DS (same age) doesn't like sustained loud noises either - he will complain and shut the kitchen door when I use the mixer and come inside if someone starts up a chainsaw outside, but he isn't actually frightened I don't think, just a little disconcerted by the racket.

He gets really quite distressed, holds his hands to his ears and starts crying if tired. His brother is 1 this month and he visibly shakes when he sees the hoover, but isn't bothered by the noise.

Lenin, I've had a quick google and have got a bit to ponder on. One of the websites describes sensory processing issues in children who are always on the go, always jumping and trying to fall (and more.) This describes DS perfectly. Hmm...

My dd was exactly the same, terrified of the hoover, food mixer, anything that made a similar noise. She grew out of it quite recently - and she's nearly six.

4 yr old in this house is still not keen on the vacuum cleaner. and insists he has to be on his bed before I start using it. he doesn't like electric motor noises- hand dryers, drills etc, is much braver if he has ear defenders to hand in noisy places like my workshop.

HE is getting better, now its just a short scream and flap and he settles down fairly fast once he's worked out what it is making the noise.