When should I allow my son to start mowing the lawn. He is 11, almost 12?

Question

My boy is itching to mow the lawn and I am sick of mowing the lawn so it's a perfect fit. But is it SAFE?

Answer 1

I would say about two years ago!

Answer 2

I think it's OK -- I started at 10.

Be sure to go over the safety stuff (but lawnmowers have gotten so safe these days!!!), and don't let him mow for a long time at first -- maybe 15 minutes or 20 minutes at a time. Don't get mad if he leaves trails and stuff, but calmly have him go over those spots again. Don't make him do the trim stuff, either (like next to flower beds or trees) until he's got the plain mowing down pat.

He will feel very proud and accomplished -- and happy for some pocket money, if you decide to do that. And it's a skill he'll use all of his life (unless he turns into a millionaire or lives in a concrete jungle).

WATCH him at first to make sure he follows the safety rules, and make sure he doesn't overheat. If you leave him "itching" to do more, then you'll have a willing and happy helper.

Answer 3

Hi, to me it is not the number 11 or 12 that would be the deciding factor on if he is ready to mow the lawn. Is he going to be walking or ridding ?? I would walk over the lawn with him and explain the dangers of ( YOUR ) yard. Are there steep grades or stumps or plants that are in the way ? Waring the proper shoes and eye and ear protection. Never pulling the mower backwards etc. The big question is, do you feel that he is aware of the dangers. I would do it with him the first couple of times. Be careful and good luck.....

Answer 4

He should have already been cutting the lawn at 10. That's when I started, and I'm a girl. I've never had a problem mowing the lawn. I'm still doing it and I'm a Grandma now.

Answer 5

Teach him the safe way to mow. Have him demonstrate his abilities. Watch him closely at first and when your comfortable check on him periodically. Depending on his background he should be old enough if he is strong enough to do it safely. My son as an example was riding dirt bikes from about 5 years on so he understood about things with motors. On the other hand I could never get him to mow the lawn.

Answer 6

My brother started mowing on my grandpa's lap when he was four. I started mowing when I was 7. For most kids the ages my brother and I learned at are too young.

I think the age is dependent on the kid and how responsible the kid is. Monitor them the first several times they mow and instruct them on all the safety aspects such as unplugging the spark plug on a push mower before removing anything caught up under the mower so the mower doesn't accidentally start. Show them to avoid rocks and sticks and to walk over the yard and pick up any debris first before mowing.

I grew up on a farm which is a very dangerous place to grow up. There are all kinds of things you have to watch out for on a farm. Making sure the tractor doesn't roll back on top of you. Not getting too close to PTO shafts and getting wrapped up around them. Not getting pulled into grinding equipment. Stacking hay properly so it doesn't fall on you. Avoiding going into grain bins and suffocating to death. Knowing how to handle a rampaging bull when you have to go out into the pasture when it is charging at you so it doesn't mall you and kill you (stick close to the fence lines so you have something to hop over away from them and if you arent' near a fence don't run away but rush them instead, bulls are faster and will run you down if you run...if you charge at them most the time they will scare off).

Just instruct them well on what the hazards are make sure you reinforce your instructions. One time of them being lazy could mean a missing hand. Monitor them until you see they are being responsible and heeding your instructions then you can allow them to do it with less supervision or hawking over them.

Answer 7

my daughter turned 12 today and she was mowing the lawn with me. Im sure you would have to hang out and watch him a bit but let him do it and make it something you do together and he wont mind doing it either in fact is less work for you and more fun for him.

Answer 8

I would think he's old enough if you think he's responsible enough. Just teach him the dangers of not horseplaying with the mower and what could possibly happen if he's not careful. He will learn from this because it will be his job. Although, if he's like most kids, once he's done it for a while, he'll find out it's not that much fun, then you'll be back to cutting it. Heck, let him earn his own money for doing it. You know him best, do you think he can handle it? Good luck!

Answer 9

You know your son better than we do. Some boys are capable at 9 and others are not ready at 15. It depends if the boy is safety conscious and you warn him of all of the dangers of operating the mower. You should watch him the first couple times when you turn him loose with the mower. Hope he does well.

Answer 10

YOU have to teach him the dangers of using the lawn mower, watch him a few times and when you and he are comfortable, let him have at it, in no time you won't be able to get him within 100' of the lawn mower :-)

Answer 11

I would say you should teach him how to do it now :) But, make the lawn mower run at a low speed and keep him away from hills also! Make sure he knows how dangerous the blade is how it is controlled and how the brake works.