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

[OhMowGod]

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?

I spend a lot of time teaching my children how to use tools and machinery, and what to avoid, because the earlier you have total respect for something that has the potential to kill you, the better,

If you explain from an early age how a things must be used and why you use certain safe guards, what the thinking is behind the caution, they then have a greater understanding of why they are being asked to act in a particular way,

my children are far more likely to use a piece of equipment correctly, or pull an adult up on their actions with kit than most adults, because they have had it drilled into them from a very early age,

running constructions sites I am throughly aware how even the slightest misuse of a power tool can end up,

most adults every time they pick up a normal drill, make basic errors that could end up disastrously, the discipline in using power tools should be installed as early as possible.

No , personally, I would not - my 8yo is allowed to watch from a safe distance and help with raking up.

Your child your choice - only you know how well they will be taught, warned, supervised etc.

Not everyone is totally sensible and safe and aware of the risks of mowing - DDs friends father lost 2 fingers unclogging the lawnmower blades without turning it off. Local lady got electrocuted to death mowing wet grass in bare feet. Another friends dad mowed over their dogs tail! Being an adult does not guarantee safe and sensible use of mowers etc

agree with you quote, on teaching respect for tools and explaining/drumming into kids the reasons for safety precautions - too many adults ignore these reasons thinking they know best.

No. I wouldn't with my nearly 8 year old. The reason being short attention span and the extent of damage that could be caused with an electric lawnmower. You can say something a hundred times to mine - but she'll still forget if something else catches her interest.

No. It's a heavy piece of machinery designed for adult use.

I was never allowed to mow the lawn as a child, and I still managed to turn into a responsible adult with enough common sense to know how to mow the lawn. It is not on my list of necessary childhood experiences, with very good reason.

i would let them, as long as they were watched and they were vigilant of cutting through cables etc.

of course it depends some children would just run riot with it and mow down everything in sight

Yes, my 6yo does it.

NO. I agree with you.

ds (10) has been begging to use the mower for years, last year dh let him help, holding the cable etc. We watched him and realised that he was actually totally fine, sensible, measured, controlled, aware of danger and cable etc etc, so form then on we let him do it.

He has to wear proper shoes, our lawn is flat and easy (would not let any child mow a slope) and he has heard me go on and on and on about safety, especially turning machine off when removing grass box and getting grass out.

I think 6 is too young to do it unsupervised, but ds would have been fine doing it together with dh, holding cable etc.

Our mower has a cut off handle, so as soon as you relax your grip on the handle it turns off, and you have to press a button and hold the handle to start it, so it is pretty safe.

'most adults every time they pick up a normal drill, make basic errors that could end up disastrously, the discipline in using power tools should be installed as early as possible.'

Though I agree with you on principle, surely using a power tool themselves, which is not weighted for a person of that size, is not ideal as essentially they cannot master control of something built for an adult.

My son has a knife he uses, I guide him in how to use it safely, I supervise - but it's not heavy or electric. It doesn't have a handle that is above his head.

Xylem I know it is unlikely but it is possible. And having a cut off handle (ours does too) doesn't mean the blades stop instantly when you let go.

I'm talking about ride on mowers as well as push ones iyswim

It is fine.

Proper shoes and an adult in charge of the power cable, all good.

God at 9 I used to drive the tractor (very slowly) while Dad threw hay bales off the back.

I know an adult who cut off her big toe whilst mowing, so no, I don't think children should be left to do such a job.

Perhaps if she'd been taught not to mow, strim or do hazardous things without the right footwear, she'd have avoided injury.
Bit like remembering to use oven gloves when cooking, or an apron when painting. Most household accidents can be avoided with correct preparation and following a few basic rules..
The decision has to be the parents, they know the child and what is OK.
DD houseshared with a girl last year who never used a hairdryer, her mum had worried about the dangers of being electrocuted. An extreme example of being careful, but true!

surely using a power tool themselves, which is not weighted for a person of that size, is not ideal as essentially they cannot master control of something built for an adult

Nope there are plenty of miniature light weight ones on the market we have a large selection.

Really? Point me at them! Ds would LOVE that.

I would as long as wearing covered shoes.

Modern mowers are designed with a safety switch you have to keep pressed as you mow so if for any strange reason the mower does this mythical backflip then the motor would cut out.

They are also very light and easy to use so i cant see why the average 6 year old would struggle with the weight.

I have a reasonably large petrol mower which i wouldn't allow a 6 year old near but would have no problem with allowing a 10year old under supervision to have a go of.

makita do some small light weight ones.