My daughter (just turned 2 yesterday) is terrified of windshield wipers, she is afraid of not only seeing them move, but the noise they make as well (She‘s afraid of them whether it‘s just visual or just noise, or both.) We had to use the wipers all day today and she just cried the whole time (we were in the car for a total of three hours, I‘d say) and closed her eyes. I was thinking maybe I could show her the wipers from the outside, but I think that may scare her more. I‘ve tried saying, Mommy is here, nothing can hurt you, or, They have never hurt you before have they? But that doesn‘t work. Please don‘t tell me not to take my child out, that is simply not healthy. I know I could go out for shorter amounts of time (under normal circumstances, but not now as my parents are in town and we go out a ton) but I still hate to see her so afraid. Also, we have to use the wipers when we do, like today there was a snow storm. Any ideas on how else to get her over this?
I know this is old schoolbut when I was a kid I remember singing The Wheels on the Bus and how The wipers on the bus went swoooch, swooooch, swooooch All through town! Sing her that song. Let her touch thenm and see how the really work and what they are for. But make it a game or a SONGMy son (14 mths.) loves songs. We do the hoaky-pokey when I dress him and loves it!! You need the wipers and after so many times of seeing them she should be more than accustomed to them.
Yep, letting her see you touch the windshield wipers and then allow her, tell her it's okay for her to touch them too - give her permission. I can understand her being scared of them, she's only a little girl so they're quite big. It's like when kids are scared of creepy-crawlies on the pool floor - they look scary, and sound it too. Touching is a good way of beliving they are okay, gently getting her used to them. Sometimes kids in the outback are scared of window wipers too, and will burst into tears - it isn't that uncommon for kids to be scared of them.
Try making them a game. Find songs to match the beat and only sing them when the wipers are on. The sillier the better. Tie some small bright ribbon bows on them (don't obscure your vision) to make them less frightening. Ask her to give them names. When they have to be used have her call them (Susie, Jane get busy Mommy needs help).
