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I had already decided that my children were a bit too lazy and entitled to suit me; I'm tweaking their chore list.
Now, they are ages 13 and 11.
I feel like they are both old enough to use the riding mower, with supervision...especially the 13-year-old.
I would rather the 11-year-old stick to the push mower, but I did allow him to use the riding mower today as I was outside to see him and supervise.
Depends on each kid, individually. Some will never be mature enough, but yet others can handle it at a very young age. Plus their backgrounds come into play.
I grew up on the farm and was operating tracters when I was 8-9. Most of the neighbor kids did the same for their folks on the farm.
I had already decided that my children were a bit too lazy and entitled to suit me; I'm tweaking their chore list.
Now, they are ages 13 and 11.
I feel like they are both old enough to use the riding mower, with supervision...especially the 13-year-old.
I would rather the 11-year-old stick to the push mower, but I did allow him to use the riding mower today as I was outside to see him and supervise.
Do you all think this is okay?
The question is not what I think, but what do the laws in your state say. You might want to check on that.
I had already decided that my children were a bit too lazy and entitled to suit me; I'm tweaking their chore list.
Now, they are ages 13 and 11.
I feel like they are both old enough to use the riding mower, with supervision...especially the 13-year-old.
I would rather the 11-year-old stick to the push mower, but I did allow him to use the riding mower today as I was outside to see him and supervise.
Do you all think this is okay?
Believe it or not, most of the major medical associations that take of children with traumatic injuries advocate 12 as the minimum age for use of power mower and 16 for the use of a rider mower.
I have seen far too many horrific pediatric amputations over the years to ever let my kids near a mower personally.
Children don't have the same amount of motor control or abilities as adults... who are for the most part stronger and have a better head on their shoulders in terms of judgement. I have heard of two accidents from riding mowers in the past couple of years that have involved kids and the mower... I wouldn't suggest it. If you are really concerned for their safety- I would put that off until they are older and more physically able- 16 perhaps... maybe 15 if they are mature and handle themselves right. Kids just don't think straight and too much can go wrong.
And I wasn't aware there are laws on the books regarding lawn mowers....
I'm not aware of such laws in TN. You'll see kids earing their own money using chainsaws to cut wood,or mowing grass with riding mowers about age 12 and up. Some of these kids you'll see are ''cops kids to''. I done it, my kids do it, and my dad & family is in law inforcement.
I agree that it really depends on the maturity of the child.... however, I would make a rule that when they are mowing no one else is allowed in the yard. (except mom of course). I saw a show a few years ago where the teenage son actually ran over his little sister while mowing the lawn on a riding mower. He had no idea she had come into the yard.
We had 12 acres as a kid and I think I was probably 12 or 13 when I started mowing. Just remember safety first and make sure you kids understand that it is all business when they are either riding the mower or pushing one.
And I wasn't aware there are laws on the books regarding lawn mowers....
I had an experience that caused me to ask that question. I had a voluteer helper one Summer and was cautioned that she could only legally do certain things for me. She could not vacuum the floor, because that was considered machinery and she was too young to legally operate machines. I believe a lawn mower is a machine too. I am sure the laws vary from state to state. I live in a state that believes in protecting children from irresponsible people.
I also volunteered in a church nursery, had young girls who wanted to help and was told that we could not have anyone under 12 helping us because a child could not legally babysit until they are 12 years old.
My dh had a stroke last year and could not mow our lawn or drive because he was temperorily seeing double. I had to drive the lawnmower. I have been driving for more than 40 years and it is my opinion that a riding mower is much harder to operate than a car. My opinion is that the person should be at least 18 to operate a riding mower. If in doubt, don't.
Can I ask a stupid question, why is a push lawnmover safer than a riding? I figure it would be the opposite.
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