However, something that I just can't figure out is the perfect timing for vacuuming our house. I know it sounds so simple since I am home so much of the time but this normally simply task is MUCH harder than it seems. Let me explain.
Our baby is scared of the loud noise of the vacuum, even several rooms away. This makes it very difficult to vacuum while he's awake unless I just push through his loud wailing and crocodile tears...somehow I can't bring myself to do that to him. I'll include a picture of our sweet baby crying so you can see how sad he looks and you can understand why I can't do that to him.
Then of course there's the nap times...our baby sleeps SO lightly that no matter where I am in the house he wakes up if the vacuum is going (I thought 2nd children were supposed to tolerate tons of noise and sleep right through the action -- nope, not this baby).
Right now my solution is to do it (or have my sweet husband to it) when the other one of us is watching the kids. This does work to a certain extent. However, what if I have the time and energy (also KEY) and my husband is at work?
Has anyone ever also had to push through this issue? Any tips or help? :) Thanks!!
4 comments:
This sounds so familiar! IT only takes a few minutes, but it's so hard to find the RIGHT time... Do you have a sling or backpack carrier? I've used both for my firstborn who to this day (at 3 1/2 years old) is still terrified of the vacuum, though now she just climbs onto the top of the couch or the highest place she can find. It makes more work for you, but at least you don't have to see that sad face! I was prepared to do the same for our baby, but at 6 months he seems eager to chase the vacuum down and gets more excited the closer we get to him with it. I think in another year he'll be comforting his big sister when I pull the machine out of the closet. :)
That is hard. Lydie is not afraid of the vacuum (she will actually chase it or try to push it herself). But I remember Jack being afraid. I only vacuumed once a week when he was a baby. I would let Andy hold him and run through the house. The fear will hopeful end soon!
Maybe try slow desensitization. Run the vacuum several times a day for several days in a row. Let him cry, but put him in a safe place (maybe with a video running). Talk to him or sing songs while you are doing it. Just do it for 20-30 seconds at first, and then increase the time until he is use to it. Good luck!
Have you tried putting him in the Baby Bjorn? It was the one thing that worked for us during vacuum time.
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