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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Original poster

17mths old terrified of the hoover.

11 replies

cupcake78 · 18/02/2009 09:39

Ds has always hated the hoover. I was hoping he would grow out of it, I have hidden the hoover from him for months and today thought i'd try again. It was still bad, he crys, shakes and just wants me to pick him up.

Even if I go to the cupboard door where it is kept he screams at me to stop.

I have tryed everything I can think of to just leaving the hoover out to see if he gets used it, holding him while I hoover and telling him its ok etc etc but nothing is working. Its beginning to get me down now but I just don't know what to do about it.

Oh and what is even more odd, he doesn't mind other people hoovering in there house and we have a carpet cleaner that is bigger, noisier and the same colour, he's just not bothered by it.

I need some help please

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

fryalot · 18/02/2009 09:41

dd2 was terrified of the hoover.

Like you, I tried everything and nothing worked.

I got into the habit of only hoovering when someone else was with her to sit with her and comfort her (even if it was her baby brother)

Shd did grow out of it, when she was about 3.

I have no idea what caused it, she always seemed to be scared of it (amongst other things) and I have no idea why she grew out of it.

So I suppose this post is totally useless as I'm not giving you any advice whatsoever.

But you're not alone

Owls · 18/02/2009 09:45

DD1 was always terrified of the vacuum as well. No idea what caused it then when she was about 3 (same as Squonk's DD) she just outgrew it.

I think it's fairly common.

Sorry not much help I know.

Flower3545 · 18/02/2009 09:47

I have lost count of the number of lo's we've had who have been terrified of the hoover, and how many times I've hoovered carrying a child at the same time, back-breaking!!

I solved the problem by buying a roomba

Not only are they quieter than normal hoovers most lo's are fascinated with them and if they are unsure I can sit and hold them while my little roomba gets on with his stuff.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Cleaning General parenting

PeppermintPatty · 18/02/2009 10:05

My DD was terrified of our old vacuum cleaner as well, but has been a lot better since we got a new one (it is a lot quieter).

I actually remember being really scared of vacuum cleaners when I was small. And if I remember it I must have been about 3 or 4

I just did the vacumming when your DD was in bed / napping. Now she helps (or hinders) me

Original poster

cupcake78 · 18/02/2009 10:07

I thought about that flower but think its an option for us. Would be nice tho!

Looks like i'm just going to have to be patient and see what happens.

OP posts:

Penthesileia · 18/02/2009 10:14

My 8mo DD is also terrified of the vacuum cleaner. It's so bad that I cannot hoover around her.

She is also frightened by the hairdryer and the hand-dryers in public toilets.

She really gets worked up into a dreadful state: she screams and weeps in terror, and even shakes with fear, when in the vicinity of all of these, and being held by me at the same time does absolutely nothing to comfort her or diminish her unhappiness.

Obviously, I will have to invest in a Roomba...

heather1980 · 18/02/2009 12:54

my dd 2.4 is the same, she hates loud noises like the hoover or the hairdryer even someone knocking on the front door petrifies her. i just tell her that mummy is going to be making a noise and she runs off to another room or i do it when she's in bed

dilemma456 · 18/02/2009 13:56

Message withdrawn

2boys2 · 18/02/2009 20:55

my ds1 now age 5yrs was petrified as well. In the end i brought him a toy hoover that looked like mine and made the noise and he LOVED it!! He to was scared of the hair and hand dryers but is fine with them now.

In comparison ds2 is bloody obsessed with the hoover and cries when it goes away!!

spicemonster · 18/02/2009 20:56

Penthesilia - I have the same problem. My DS comes into the room when I'm drying my hair, lip wobbling and hangs onto my leg wailing. I have to vacuum once he goes to bed and he bursts into tears every time someone uses a hand dryer in a loo

Wilkiepedia · 18/02/2009 20:59

DS the same at same age. We made him pat the hoover and stroke it when it was off to show him it was OK, kind of gave it a personality. Then turned it on but didn't move it, sat with DS and continued with the patting and stroking and gradually moved to me hoovering holding DS' hand blah blah

All very gradual, total PITA but great now that I can hoover without a hysterical child clinging to me!!

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