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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you let your 6yo mow the grass with an electric lawn mower?

118 replies

OhMowGod · 04/08/2013 10:58

Supervised by their dad?

I say a big fat pissed off no.

His dad says Im wrapping him up in cotton wool and carried on regardless.

AIBU or is he?

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 04/08/2013 10:59

I suppose if his dad is holding the cable carefully he could let the boy do it for a few minutes.

If "supervision" just means watching him, then definitely no.

Original poster
OhMowGod · 04/08/2013 11:00

No he was holding the cable. I was more worried about his toes.

OP posts:
ThisReallyIsNotSPNopeNotAtAll · 04/08/2013 11:00

I used to sit on lawn mower tractor thing at that age and cut grass. Grandad would walk at the side of it.

I dont think I would let my son do that though!

HollyBerryBush · 04/08/2013 11:00

Each child is different.

FWIW I think British children are far too molly coddled and kept as babies for far too long.

Sparklingbrook · 04/08/2013 11:02

Yes, but I would be relieved when it was over. Totally understand the toes thing but if Dad was supervising it would be ok.

xylem8 · 04/08/2013 11:03

yes of course as long as there is a circuit breaker to trip out if the cord gets cut through and also a sensible cable handler

Nanny0gg · 04/08/2013 11:04

What did he have on his feet?

xylem8 · 04/08/2013 11:04

I am puzzling to think how you couldpossibly cut your toes?although we have always had ones with the grass box at the back

burberryqueen · 04/08/2013 11:06

with someone holding the cable out of the way, why not?

snotfunny · 04/08/2013 11:08

A agree with Hollyberry. It depends on the child. DS1 has always been very well co-ordinated and careful. He rarely, if ever, falls over. He would be fine. DS2? Complete disaster area. Always covered in bruises and frequently gets run over by the buggy because he doesn't walk in a straight line. I wouldn't be so happy with him doing it as he's a bit haphazard. I wouldn't say a blanket no. I think it's good for the children to learn about danger and being careful and that only comes through exposure to controlled risk. Plus, I would trust DP to keep them safe.

flatmum · 04/08/2013 11:10

no way

pudcat · 04/08/2013 11:13

His toes are behind the mower so he cannot run over them

SirChenjin · 04/08/2013 11:13

If would depend on how closely they were being supervised and how safe the lawn mower was.

The fact that child safety is taken seriously in this country is a good thing in my book, and I would prefer to 'mollycoddle' Hmm than see any child dying unecessarily - see Unicef's league table for the child death league in the western world for comparisons. It's from about 10 years ago - but I can only hope more children are now 'mollycoddled' and that other country's have improved their attitudes.

shazbean · 04/08/2013 11:14

Yes, DD always helps but we have the grass box at the back and she is quite sensible.
I hold the cable and she knows to take her time.
She also rakes up what gets missed. Tbh that worries me more than the lawnmover.

SirChenjin · 04/08/2013 11:14

Oops - link here

shazbean · 04/08/2013 11:14

She just turned 6 and did it last year too.

pumpkinsweetie · 04/08/2013 11:18

No, No & No

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 04/08/2013 11:21

If he was strong enough and his Dad was beside him why not? Mowers today aren't like they used to be...he'd have to go in front and have someone else run over his feet to get hurt...

Flobbadobs · 04/08/2013 11:23

Yes I would and agree with HollyBerry.
With proper supervision the majority of children are capable of doing an awful lot more than they're allowed to.
My DH and his siblings were expected to help with the harvest and the cows on the family farm from a young age. They were given appropriate jobs according to how old they were and progressed as they got older.
This is why they could all drive a tractor by the age of 15.... Grin

jchocchip · 04/08/2013 11:23

www.ccohs.ca/newsletters/hsreport/issues/2007/06/ezine.html#oshanwers Read this. Leading cause of amputation in adolescents. 6 is way to young to understand the danger.

milbracat · 04/08/2013 11:24

If he is a hands-on dad and that you have no real cause to think he might be negligent, then YABU.

IMO, dads are in a better position than mums to teach (particularly sons) life skills, confidence (through developing life skills), adventure, exploration of one's boundaries and "controlled" risk taking.

Eyesunderarock · 04/08/2013 11:27

Circuit breaker.
Adult supervising closely.
Appropriate footwear.
Manage the risks.
So yes, I'd let them.

YoniBottsBumgina · 04/08/2013 11:29

I feel anxious at the thought - but then I've never actually used one and don't know how easy it is to run over your own toes! I've just read some horror stories about it.

Flobbadobs · 04/08/2013 11:29

Sorry milbra I don't agree. A confident adult of either sex is perfectly capable of teaching confidence and life skills to any child. It's down to the self belief and drive of the adult, not the genitals imo.

YoniBottsBumgina · 04/08/2013 11:30

Milbra, why? Confused