Hi ladies

Zach did something this weekend, and I am wondering if I should at all be concerned
First off, even when he was young, he HATED loud noises, and was scared of certain things (seemed strange)
To this day, he screams in fear, jumps on the couch and shakes, when DH or I vacuum
He is a very smart, sweet, friendly little boy, not aggressive at al when around other kids his age...speaks very well...very active/jumps/runs
BUT he seems scared of the oddest things....
This weekend we went to the towns pool party...(he loves swimming/pool/will jump in the water-no fear)
I thought the LOUD music of the band would bother him, but he didn't mind..he also didn't mind when we went to see a parade recently
He had to take his shoes off to walk by the rides at the pool party etc and he had a heart attack when his feet touched the sand
I tried to talk him through it, etc etc
BUT he was hysterical sobbing like he was going to die....is this normal wacky toddler stuff, or 'should' I be concerned
We had to leave because I was not going to carry him around and he would not walk...he refused and we left with him crying hysterically

I'm not sure, but I do know lots of kids that are scared to death of the vacuum. Remember in "Mr. Mom" w/ Michael Keaton how scared the little kid was that the vacuum would eat his "wooby"? As for touching the sand, maybe it was hot? I know ours is scorching sometimes. Does he have any other issues like that?

Kim, I would just see how long it goes on for. Hobbes is scared of the vacumm as well. And he didn't like the feel of sand either. He now will touch the sand. When he was Zachary's age, we had to carry him on the beach till he was at the grass area and would walk.He hated it!

Thanks guys
I know it's typical for kids to be scared of the vacuum...that's why I'm confused
A few other things he hates (which I've seen on this board before...so I know lots of other kids are bothered)
HATES to get his hair cut
his hair brushed or washed (screams/sobs/shakes)
BUT he loves swimming?
He loves to play at the park and meet other kids but he's always hated the swing, and lately he is scared of the slide

Right now I would keep an eye on it. Maybe make notes of what he likes, doesn't like, and what sets him off.

Both my kids have sensory issues. Jessie was dx with sensory integration dysfunction at about 22 months old and was in OT for it for a couple of years. Most of her sensory issues were dealing with touch (tactile), but also had some problems with loud noises. For the tactile issues we did a lot of work at home... playing in the sand, walking without shoes on (especially outside in the yard), playing with shaving cream in the bathtub, playing with scotch tape, playing with food... anything that would cause her to use touch. As for the noise issues, public school has been good for that. It is amazing how loud school can be for a kid and Jessie had a hard time at first, but has adjusted well. Jessie also hates haircuts (it has gotten so bad I have to cut her hair myself because she totally flips out at the hair cut place), doesn't like to have her hair brushed, but has gotten better about it being washed now that she can help do it.

As for James, he has some minor tactile issues, but we are finding him to have more oral issues. Shaving cream and playing in the yard are his exercises right now and he is doing somewhat better in that area. The oral issues are our biggest battle right now. He's pretty much quit eating table food and is living on baby food and yogurt. He is in speech and OT for this.

Hope this helps... I would try the shaving cream activity with Zach. Just put some on the side of the bathtub and encourage him to put his hands in it, rub it on his arms or tummy... fun to play with and easy to clean up. Keep us posted.

Thanks guys
I know it's typical for kids to be scared of the vacuum...that's why I'm confused
A few other things he hates (which I've seen on this board before...so I know lots of other kids are bothered)
HATES to get his hair cut
his hair brushed or washed (screams/sobs/shakes)
BUT he loves swimming?
He loves to play at the park and meet other kids but he's always hated the swing, and lately he is scared of the slide

OMG Kim you are describing Cooper to a T.

He has always hated loud things, and too many people and hates his hair being cut, it gets so long before I have the nerve to take him in.

For us it isn't a problem and this is what I have worked out. Cooper is a sensitive soul, the older he gets the more i notice it. He developed a stutter at Christmas time and we have been seeing a speech therapist very regularly, and she has basically said that he stutters because of worry. Like we started talking about him going to school and he is stuttering again.

He is technically meant to start Kindergarten next year and I am seriously thinking about not sending him, I think that it will be too much for him and he will be get behind.

Cooper is smart, really smart, but he is reserved. He likes to learn through play.

Another thing that leads me to think about the loud noises is his ears. He has had 3 burst ear drums and I think it makes the world very loud and sensitive, recently we went to a party after his ears burst and he just sat with me the whole time, until the kids came in and then he went outside to play.

People may think it a little strange, but not all kids will fit into a mold KWIM?

If you are worried keep an eye on it, but I think he is fine:wink: .

Thanks everyone for your input

Rachel....
How weird that Zach is so like Cooper
As far as the loud noises...it seems unexpected loud noises really bother him
Our in laws bought him drums, cymbals and a tamborine and LOVES to bang on them and make lots of noise
This weekend he was playing with the pool and slip and slide and was covered in grass and was OK...other times he'll gets his hands/feet a little dirty and freak out

I'll just keep an eye on him and talk to the ped at his next visit
Thanks for the shaving cream idea...i think he would love to play with it in the bath (I'm afraid though, Ava will eat it...LOL!)

He also doesn't like certain slimy foods...I hate them as well though
Kids are all so different...

Lauren was not afraid of the vacuum until she turned about 10 mos. old. She either stands and cries (most of the time) or runs away from it when I run it now. Most times, I have to hold her while running it... she's ok with this. I don't get it.

As for the sand, I'm not sure. We haven't been to the beach yet this year.

I will tell you though, that if Lauren takes after me, she'll hate sand, dirt, and flour. For some reason I hate the feel of these things. I usually have dh measure out flour for me when I'm baking... it just makes me cringe. Same with my sister.

Thanks everyone for your input

Rachel....
How weird that Zach is so like Cooper
As far as the loud noises...it seems unexpected loud noises really bother him
Our in laws bought him drums, cymbals and a tamborine and LOVES to bang on them and make lots of noise


LOL, we bought Cooper a guitar and he plays it so loud, like you said unexpected noise or also noise where there is too much going on.

Has he had any ear problems?

BTW you know we are trying out homeopathy at the moment? I have taken Cooper and so far I have actually seen a slight change in him, (no change in Parker though- determined bugger!) they are treating him for his ear infections and sensitivities and such, it is only 4 drops a day under his tongue, I will let you know how it goes.

I would also think that the vacuum may be something a lot of kiddos are afraid of. I've got a wierdo who LOVES the vacuum. :roll: Anyhow I was just thinking today that it's going to be a while before his next hair cut, also. He hates it, acts as if limbs are being cut off from his body...HATES IT. :dontknow:
These things sound like they could just be normal issues that some kids have, but it never hurts to run it by the ped.

Thanks again everyone
how weird, I decided to vacuum after this last post and he was fine w/ it...huh?
Ava is just so different...she is really fearless and loves the vacuum and chases after it...

Racchel...I didn't know you were trying homeopathy?
What exactly are you trying to treat...keep me posted!

Sorry I thought I had told you. We started two weeks ago. I took both boys cause a lot of people talk about it as being successful and I don't have much hope for Parker but I think we will have some success with Cooper.

We went in and she spent about 40 minutes asking questions about each child, down to pregnancy and delivery to afraid of the dark, thristy child etc.

They treat the symptoms like aggression, shyness, ear infections and not an actual disease, I really don't know how it works, but she was really thorough and every now and again she would get her book and ask some questions and it would be so like one of the kids, like is he a light sleeper, never thrirsty etc

She gives drops that go under the tongue, 4 drops a day and each day you have to hit the bottle hard 10 times and she says this releases the molecules so each dose is stronger.

So far Parker hasn't shown much change, he is being a little better behaved, but he also had a prilosec increase. But she also said that Parker was a complex case and may need a lot more follow up. In him she is treating him for things like counteracting the drugs given in a C. birth, aggression, sleep problems- not necessarily reflux.

I have seen a change in Cooper though, she is treating his ear infections and shyness and stuttering. He for the first time ever at playgroup actually played with one of the kids, he will play with kids(generally older) but generally at playgroup he will play by himself. His stuttering has settled down as well. It is hard to tell if it is true success cause his symptoms come and go but I hope it will help him, especially with his ears.

If you are interested I will let you know how it goes.

I can remember that either Adam or Katie (2 of my elder children) had issues with sand...they would cry and refuse to walk on it......It was just a faze though.
I have heard of toddlers not liking sand before......so I wouldn't worry about it too ,uch at this stage.

BTW Zac is adorable...looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth :)
Zac and Ava have the same beautiful blue eyes.

Thanks for the input Kimberley
I'm going to keep an eye on him and mention some things to the ped at our next visit

Thanks again...Hope all is well with Brooke

It honestly sounds like he's just a very sensitive kiddo to me. My oldest is still very sensetive to loud noises hates to be where it's crowded and doesn't like to have bear feet. The only times he takes his socks off is to go to the pool or to shower than there right back on. I know a lot of kids don't like the feel of sand. My niece who just turned two sat in a beach chair when we were in Sandiego. She would walk as long as she had water shoes on. Just keep an eye on it but I really think he's probably just sensetive.

One of my sons (whose reflux is the worst) is HIGHLY sensitive to sound, although not the vacuum. The first time we took him to the beach (age 5 months), we laid him on a towel on the sand and he became borderline hysterical within 20 seconds. It had more to do with the hardness of the sand (even through the towel!) than the texture of it, I guess.

I wonder if having a little sand box in the yard would help...? He could sit outside the sandbox and just put his hands in to play with the toys. Gradually he might sit inside, especially if he sees other children doing it.




Laura Hamel

SeaBird

Mother to twin preemie sons (1/20/06) with severe reflux