Teen Mowing the Grass--How Old?

[Tigger&Belle]

Our 12yo just started mowing the grass (his sister went to college and our 15yo is too lazy...). Just wondering how old other kids are that took over. He isn't allowed to do it if my DH isn't home, though, just in case the mower runs out of gas, won't start, or if there's any other problem.

He's able to start the mower and do the whole yard without help, even though he's not crazy about all the trees we have. Our dog digs, so we have little fences around all the trees, etc in the backyard, which sometimes have to be moved. Last week he was asking (complaining) why we had to plant all the trees (the original owners hadn't planted any trees and we've planted 10 (some are dwarf fruit trees), plus blueberry bushes and other berries.

We do pay him to mow--not the going rate that a pro would charge, but he also doesn't do the trimming and edging yet.

 

[Hannathy]

All the boys in my neighborhood seemed to start around 11, by 12 they were cutting other peoples yards. The girls seemed to be a solid 12 -13 and need whips to get them moving! and earplugs to drown out the whining.

 

[Deb in IA]

Here are suggested guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Lawn Mower Safety



Each year many children are injured severely by lawn mowers. Power mowers can be especially dangerous. However, most lawn mower-related injuries can be prevented by following these safety guidelines.
When Is My Child Old Enough to Mow the Lawn?

Before learning how to mow the lawn, your child should show the maturity, good judgment, strength and coordination that the job requires. In general, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should be at least:

12 years of age to operate a walk-behind power mower or hand mower safely

16 years of age to operate a riding lawn mower safely
It is important to teach your child how to use a lawn mower. Before you allow your child to mow the lawn alone, spend time showing him or her how to do the job safely. Supervise your child's work until you are sure that he or she can manage the task alone.

Before Mowing the Lawn:

Make sure that children are indoors or at a safe distance from the area that you plan to mow.

Read the lawn mower operator's manual and the instructions on the mower.

Check conditions.

Do not mow during bad weather, such as during a thunderstorm.

Do not mow wet grass.

Do not mow without enough daylight.

Clear the mowing area of any objects, such as twigs, stones and toys, that could be picked up and thrown by the lawn mower blades.

Make sure that protective guards, shields, the grass catcher and other types of safety equipment are placed properly on the lawn mower and that your mower is in good condition.

If your lawn mower is electric, use a ground fault circuit interrupter to prevent electric shock.

Never allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on lawn mowers or garden tractors.
While Mowing:

Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes with slip-proof soles, close-fitting clothes, safety goggles or glasses with side shields, and hearing protection.

Watch for objects that could be picked up and thrown by the mower blades, as well as hidden dangers. Tall grass can hide objects, holes or bumps. Use caution when approaching corners, trees or anything that might block your view.

If the mower strikes an object, stop, turn the mower off, and inspect the mower. If it is damaged, do not use it until it has been repaired.

Do not pull the mower backwards or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary.

Use extra caution when mowing a slope.

When a walk-behind mower is used, mow across the face of slopes, not up and down, to avoid slipping under the mower and into the blades.

With a riding mower, mow up and down slopes, not across, to avoid tipping over.

Keep in mind that lawn trimmers also can throw objects at high speed.

Remain aware of where children are and do not allow them near the area where you are working. Children tend to be attracted to mowers in use.
Stop the engine and allow it to cool before refueling.

Always Turn Off the Mower and Wait for the Blades to Stop Completely Before:

Crossing gravel paths, roads or other areas
Removing the grass catcher
Unclogging the discharge chute
Walking away from the mower








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[Tigger&Belle]

I guess he's not so young like I was thinking. He's certainly strong enough. He plays baseball and has a lot of upper body strenth and with the self- propelled mower doesn't even break a sweat.

LOL about the earplugs! My DD was pretty good about doing it, however she wasn't as anxious to earn the money as Zach is. The funny thing is that she was home from college last weekend and when she drove up she thought about cutting the grass to earn a little money, but was informed by my 15yo that Zach now does it. She was a bit miffed. Hey, we used to have to tell her it was time, but she had to work it into her social calendar, when she'd washed her hair, had time, etc. Zach, on the other hand, is so money hungry that he's begging to do it.

My 15yo was going to start doing it last summer, but he did one side of the house (a hill) and decided that it was too hard. He'd rather babysit the neighbor kids and get easier money.

 

[aprilgail2]

In 5th grade I was cutting my lawn and 3 neighbors lawns for money so I guess that was about 10 or 11.....

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks Deb! I'll send the guidelines to him. The thing that makes me nervous is the gas. Sure enough, a little while ago the mower ran out of gas, so I had my DH come fill it up. I have a fire paranoia, so I don't want him doing that before he's ready, or should I say before I'm ready.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I figure that by next summer he'll be trying to earn money cutting the neighbors lawns, but so many of them have professional lawn services I wonder how much business he'll get. It seems the ones that don't have a service cut it themselves because they are very particular. He'll have to learn to use a trimmer if he's going to cut the grass in place of a professional service.

 

[Meriweather]

I'm a bad parent by those guidelines.
Both my kids started using the lawn tractor at about 12.....only when someone was home.
Neither of them had any problems....besides not wanting to take the 6+ hours it takes every 2 weeks.

 

[luvmydogs]

Well, T&A, when my Chris is finally able to do his own Stool Sample Kit, then I'll know he's responsible enough to mow the lawn!

 

[poohandwendy]

. He's certainly strong enough. He plays baseball and has a lot of upper body strenth and with the self- propelled mower doesn't even break a sweat.

That was the deciding factor for us, when our son was strong enough to handle it. He was 12 when he started with the front yard which is flat. then after my DH felt he could handle it, he was allowed to do the backyard which is hilly.

For the last few years (he is 16), he has been working for my BILs landscaping business cutting lawns. It really is hard work, but he gets a great tan...and it wll pay his car insurance when he gets his license. Sheesh, he gets over $8 an hour, not shabby for a teen.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Well, T&A, when my Chris is finally able to do his own Stool Sample Kit, then I'll know he's responsible enough to mow the lawn!

Where is the Tag Fairy??? Maybe when he shows the good judgement not to drink creekwater!

Wendy, the problem with my kids is that they get paid so much by the neighbors for babysitting ($10/hour) that a "normal" wage by a business doesn't seem like enough to them. At least that was the case with my DD.

I don't think that my 15yo is quite as greedy, though. He got a last minute call to babysit next door today and sat almost an hour. The dad returned home (his wife had been the one who'd left) and handed Ben $15 and Ben told him it was too much money and handed him $5 back. I told Ben that he was very ethical for not keeping all the $.

 

[clh2]

All the boys in my neighborhood seemed to start around 11, by 12 they were cutting other peoples yards. The girls seemed to be a solid 12 -13 and need whips to get them moving! and earplugs to drown out the whining.

That will be our DD. - whining. She just turned 12, but we have a tractor, if she were soaking wet, she wouldn't have enough weight on the tractor to keep the engine from the auto-shut off.

 

[poohandwendy]

Where is the Tag Fairy??? Maybe when he shows the good judgement not to drink creekwater!

Wendy, the problem with my kids is that they get paid so much by the neighbors for babysitting ($10/hour) that a "normal" wage by a business doesn't seem like enough to them. At least that was the case with my DD.

I don't think that my 15yo is quite as greedy, though. He got a last minute call to babysit next door today and sat almost an hour. The dad returned home (his wife had been the one who'd left) and handed Ben $15 and Ben told him it was too much money and handed him $5 back. I told Ben that he was very ethical for not keeping all the $.

Aw, Ben sounds like a great kid!

You are right, they are really used to being overpaid, LOL! But, a really trustworthy BBsitter is not easy to come by, so I admit I overpaid them too. Didn't want the neighborhood competition to steal my sitter when I needed her.

 

[disykat]

Our son started at 12 - and nope, we don't pay him. Heck, if we wanted to punish him, we'd say "no lawn mowing for a month" and he'd be devastated. He does get paid when he mows the neighbors though.

We don't let the neighbors pay very much. At 12 he got $5 an hour, now at 13 he is asking $6, at 14 we told him he could charge $7 - that way he'll catch up with minimum wage, currently around $7.50 here, at about the time he could get another job at 15.

At this point, our neighbors are still getting a deal - but hopefully it will keep our son reality based.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Wendy, Ben has had to face the most of all my kids for sure. Some days he drives me crazy--other days he amazes me. Today was a good day.

disykat, I'll have to time Zach the next time to see how much I'm paying him per hour. I'm guessing 1 1/2 hours, so not a bad wage since he's getting $10. He's saving for college spending $, or so he says, so at least it's a good cause. My boys see their sister at college without any spending money, so hopefully they're both learning a lesson about saving their money now and not frittering it all away...

 

[marydmjj]

My 10 year old started helping DH mow last summer. This year he is mowing our grass, and 2 neighbors. He never mows when I'm not home and I start the mower and fill it with gas. They are paying him and, if he hasn't been a total stinker to me that week, we pay him. Guess according to the American Academy whatevers, I'm a bad mom. Oh well...

 

[golfgal]

DS13 started when he was 11, he was finally big enough then, the twins started last summer when they were 10. We have a flat lot that is easy. We talked to them about mower safety. They do a great job, especially DS11.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I think a lot of it does have to do with the size of the lot and how flat it is. When I see how easily my son is doing it this year, I know that he would have had the strength at 11yo for sure, but ours is a bit hilly (not real steep), but little trees to work around, a fence, etc so it's not real easy.

 

[Jennasis]

OOf! You guys coddle your kids (hehehe). I started mowing when I was probably about 8 years old (a push mower, on 1 full acre). I was NEVER EVER paid. It was just something I was expected to do. If I couldn't start the mower, my dad would start it. I also added gas when it ran out etc. I often whined (only to myself because there simply was NO whining to my parents) that yard work was BOYS work, not for a dainty flower like myself. But alas I am one of 3 girls and no brothers so it was ALL me. We also brought in and stacked firewood as soon as were strong enough to carry a small log (maybe 6 or 7), raked leaves, washed cars etc.

I was NEVER paid...not even an allowance. My parents did, however, buy my sisters and I anything we needed and took us on great fam vacations. We were never "wanting".

We didn't live in the sticks either. I grew up in an extremely suburban area of Long Island.

 

[highland3]

My 10 year old DD is mowing the lawn... with supervision nearby. She still can't start the mower yet.