Am I being overprotective about this?

Question

The other day I left my three kids at my in-laws for a few hours and when I came back, I found my 5 year old 'helping' grandpa push the lawnmower and my 2 year old standing just a few feet behind them. I told the in-laws and my husband that it's dangerous and I don't want my kids around lawn mowers and they said I was overreacting and being silly and that their kids were always around them and never got hurt. I know they'll abide by my wishes but am I being silly? I was under the impression that it's common knowledge not to have children around a lawn mower.

Thanks guys. That's what I thought but my inlaws always give me such a bad time about being overprotective. I used to just blow it off but I've started to wonder if maybe I am.

Answer 1

I think you should print out the information on these web pages and give them to your husband. You are so in the right, that I just cannot believe that they called you silly. Congratulations on sticking up for your children.

Answer 2

I rode on a riding lawn mower when I was little with my grandfather. However, that was quite some time ago.

It's not a good idea. For your 5-year-old, the whirring blades of the mower are no playthings.

The two-year-old was actually the one in more danger here, though. If the 5-year-old is some distance from the front of the mower (far enough behind it to be "pushing it"), there's a small theoretical chance something could harm him. But if the mower hit a small rock, or any other small, hard object, it would shoot out the back of the mower, and could hit the baby.

Talk to your husband again. Ask him to humor you and talk to his dad about not having the small children helping with mowing. If they want to "help" in the yard, there are some other jobs, like watering flower beds, bagging up leaves and pinecones, or even helping with raking the yard (using an appropriate rake, of course.) They're just asking too much of you to be okay with your babies basically playing with a powerful machine with whipping blades.

Answer 3

Can we say missing digits that might make their way under the blades. Grass shooting out from under it at high speed that might find its way into little eyes. Blades moving quickly on an instrument that a 5 year old can easily tip over...can you imagine her trying to pick it back up while it is running--wait don't imagine that, too much potential to be gruesome. NO you are not being overprotective. Would you leave your child in a running car with the parking break off and it in gear...no. Certian things should be common sense and if your hubby and in laws don't have that sense then you need to tell them that this is not allowed. A child shouldn't be allowed to mow a lawn until they can read the directions on the lawn mower and understand AND follow them. Around about 13-15 depending on the kid.

Answer 4

I'd be worried too. When you leave your kid/s alone (without you), you expect their environments to be safe....and the grown ups watching over them would make it that way. I would freak out too. One little slip and something could go wrong. I am a mom too and totally see the bad pictures to obvious things like this. My husband was mowing at 11 and slipped in the grass...he now has 9 1/2 toes.....Only half a big toe. That should be common sense not to have little ones around a lawn mower. Tell your in-laws that the only mower you want your kids around are the ones that blow bubbles...you are not over reacting, and don't be afraid to speak up for your children's safety.

Answer 5

I say defiantly to young for the 2 year old, but the 5 year old...I would say yes, IF Grandpa takes precautions..does he have boots on, long pants and a long sleeve shirt? Did he give him goggles and maybe some hearing protection. My son loved being out with the lawn mower and by the time he was 8 he could do the lawn with us just sitting and watching, but from the time he was 5 and wanted to be out there with my husband we made sure he know what safety equipment he needed. At that age they will tell you that they do not have their goggles if you forget to give them to them. so maybe, have grandpa and grandson, fo to the hardware store and get the protective gear that he needs to help out, then tell grandpa under the strictest watchful eyes and fully protected, you son can help. Good luck with this. Remember, your children and you set the rules.

Answer 6

KIds should NEVER be around lawn mowers. Working at a hospital I have seen first hand the damage a rock, glass, and even a simple pinecone can to to adults that have been around lawnmowers. I shudder to think what something like that can to to a child.

Answer 7

No, you are totally right. Do you remember Rosilyn Sumner? She was an Olympic ice skater. When she was 2 years-old she lost part of one foot due to slipping and falling under her dad's lawn mower. Kids should not be around lawn mowers until they are about 12, and then taught proper safety around them.

Answer 8

If it was up to me, I would never let my kids near a lawn mower. My Dad never let us near one, either, until we were teenagers. And then I always wear jeans, hat, sunglasses, in case it throws a stone. If I had my way, the kids would stay inside the house whenever my husband is mowing the lawn. But I weaken and let them stand on the verandah sometimes.

You are NOT being silly!!!! They are!

Answer 9

I agree with you. It can be very dangerous. My grandpas lawnmower kicked up a rock once and it broke a window! Imagine if the lawnmower kicked up a rock with your child in the line of fire! That could be tragic. Bring up this possibility with them. They might just be thinking "its not like we are going to flip the lawnmower over and throw the kid on the blade". The blade is not the only danger. Hold your ground on this, any sensible parent would agree I'm sure.

Answer 10

No, you're not being overprotective. You're right, it's very dangerous. They were not too smart were they? No one is to be around a lawn mower. It's called common sense and follow the manual instructions.