The Vacuum

The good news is, Z is no longer afraid of the vacuum. The bad news is, he isn't afraid any more because he has had to use it so much.

I was on the phone with my sister this afternoon while the boys were watching a show. Or so I thought. After hanging up with my sister, I walked into the next room to find oyster crackers spread from the dining table, into the living area. They were on the floor, yes, but they were also on the couch. Not just the seat of the couch, but up on the back of the couch.

What do I do? Yell. Of course. Because it is so effective. (Okay, maybe because it just took my so off guard, and, let's face it, I am ashamed to say I am a yeller. Just ask my poor neighbors).

Anyway, I get the yelling under control and ask what he was doing.

He was hungry.

Obviously.

Because who doesn't spread food far and wide when hungry.

I grab a broom and sweep the wood floor. Z is instructed to go get the vacuum for the couch and rug.

All the way to and from the closet with the vacuum, I hear Z say, "It makes me so sad," in a very subdued voice. His fear of the vacuum is coming out.

You see, for some reason all of my children, thus far, have had a fear of the vacuum. I don't know if it is the noise, the look, or the fact that they may not have seen it very often as babies. Nevertheless, they have had the fear. When Z was first switched to a toddler bed so W could have the crib, I put a vacuum in the door way so he wouldn't wander off. It only worked for a couple of nights, but it worked! And I didn't have to worry about my 2 year old wandering the house in the middle of the night. That is how scared he was of coming near it. Eventually, he realized that when it was off it didn't make noise and was easy to climb around. But the fear wasn't completely gone yet.

Back to the story from today.

He hands over the vacuum, then puts both hand on his ears. But he's not getting off that easy. I put both hands on the nozzle and make him vacuum off the couch. Once in a while he tries to do it one handed so he can cover an ear with the other hand. It take a while, but he gets the job done.

On to the rug.

I put his hands on the vacuum and tell him to push (with some help from me since he really isn't quite big enough to maneuver it alone). After a few seconds of pushing the big vacuum, he announces he isn't afraid anymore!

Great!

I am glad he overcame his fear. Now let's see if he can overcome his tendency to make such far reaching messes. If he could do it before he teaches his brother any more mess making habits, that would be great.