AIBU to be embarrassed about mowing the lawn?

[Folicky]

Or maybe not unreasonable, but rather am I being neurotic in being embarrassed about mowing my own lawn?

I’m a single parent. I used to have a large front & rear garden and paid to have it mowed. I’m moved to a house on a smaller plot and it is definitely feasible that I mow the lawn. The only thing is, I think it advertises the fact that we’re without a geezer. And while I live semi-rurally, there are a little knot of houses around me, so others could see me doing it and I’m likely to be doing it at times when other people are around (evening or weekends) as I work regular full time hours. Maybe, I’m being a bit sensitive about it because my new & closest neighbours are being very boundaried / dick-ish if I ask for advice about anything eg whats’ the best gp surgery in the locality? Do you need BT and a satellite dish to get a good signal (it’s rural)?, etc. They seem to see that asking for advice as a sign that I’m a bottomless pit of requests when really they’ve been questions about quite discrete areas of life. I think they must have had a bad experience in the past. Somewhere in my psyche I think they’ll see me pushing a lawnmower in my garden as a request for help (it isn’t, I don’t want them or him in my garden) and it will feel awkward. I also don’t want to be adopting a stance of placating my new neighbours when they’re probably a bit difficult. That wouldn’t feel good to me, I don’t think.

Any other dude-less (for the moment) mothers feel this way?

Any solutions? From emboldening words to suggestions about early morning mowing, and advice welcome. Thanks.

What a bizzare post. Women and men mow their lawns when needed, regardless of their sex or relationship status. Your post almost makes being without a man sone kind of shameful state of affairs, yiur dirty little secret. It's not.

Honestly, it’s really not an issue, sounds like they’re a bit prickly and have got you overthinking things.

My neighbours must be very confused as I mow the lawn but they do know that I’m not single. Should I tell them DH does most of the housework?

Get a petrol one OP, much better. Might also make your neighbour jealous! We got a refurbed one from a local company for no more than a Flymo.

Oh and what do I think if I see a woman mowing the lawn. Nothing. It's of no significance. DH and I both do ours and our elderly neighbour's.

Most of my neighbours and me are married or in relationships but it’s us ladies that regularly mow the lawn. I wouldn’t worry what anyone else thinks.

This is one of the most ridiculous posts ever!

Unless you want to be criticised for having a jungle then mow the bloody lawn same as most people.

Haven't got a 'geezer' ffs.

I'm really not sure if the OP is being serious?

Anyway I mow the lawn, I used to mow the lawn for my parents 20 odd years ago. I think I'd be secretly a bit upset if DH decided to do it, I really enjoy it.

I mowed the lawn when married (ex was very lazy) and obviously mow it myself now as a single parent. I quite like mowing the lawn as a tiny, proud sign I'm providing our lovely home all by myself (I think that stems from coming out of a crap marriage, not a judgement that couples can't be proud of their houses )

Mow with pride, maybe they're just confused by a strong, capable woman!

I have a very good Bosch lawnmower. Light and cheap.

I think you've swallowed the dictionary this morning.

Who uses the word geezer and dude-less (for the moment)?

Just mow the bloody lawn, Gtech do cordless ones I believe.

I too am woman with man and mow lawn. I do what fuck I want.

I think it’s this one

www.johnlewis.com/bosch-rotak-34-r-rotary-hand-propelled-electric-lawnmower/p1213173?sku=233112595&s_kwcid=2dx-KELKOO-EHT92700045364684707&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4Kevpp-E5AIVw7TtCh26wwk_EAQYAiABEgLDzvD_BwE

Massively overthinking. Have the neighbours actually said anything negative to you about the fact you’re not married? Or are you the person placing the negative on this?

from another woman who does 90% of the mowing despite living with a man, on the subject of early morning mowing, you don't want to do that because the grass is usually wet, which makes the mower clog so a much harder job.

The lithium battery mowers are supposed to be good but expensive. Petrol mowers are an option but I, like a lot of women, would struggle with the starter cord, but I don't know if there are 'easy start' options.

I use a corded Bosch rotak, seems fine - we have 2 big lawns. you probably don't want a cylinder mower as they clog unless you are only cutting dry grass and can do it twice a week, which is pretty much impossible if you are constrained by UK weather and full time work.

Dh never cuts the grass, its always me. He blames 'hayfever' but i think he just doesn't like doing it!

@LadyBrienneofTarth that’s a brilliant post, me too! 😂

Seriously OP, it’s very sexist of you to think like this...my mother would happily mow the lawn 50 years ago, usually whilst my father dug potatoes, and my DH and I both do every household task happily - either one of us.
Do you think it’s actually because you looked down on people who couldn’t afford to pay for gardeners/cleaners etc previously when you had more money and believe that is how people will be reacting to you now? You need to have a long think about your views.
Oh and by the way, being a single parent is not something to be ashamed of!!

‘The people who mind don’t matter and the people who matter don’t mind’ - Dr Seuss

It's 2019!

I have a husband but I mow the lawn, fix broken toilet cisterns, put up shelves, chop down trees, build furniture and install plug sockets because NONE of those tasks require a penis.

Oh and a tip for anyone who has accidentally cut through their lawnmower or hedge trimmer cable - just wire both ends of the cable into this and the equipment will work again:
www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-orange-connector-2-pin/46232

Your neighbours would be a lot more upset if you left your lawn uncut.

Just be impressed at your own hard work.

Don't get a petrol one, they are heavy and a bastard to start/use, unlthe as uour garden is huge?

Op, get a flymo or similar if the garden isn't huge. Just look at some on amazon or pop to b&q or whatever, buying a lawn mower isn't a big deal. But get a light one or it's hard work. Why does it need to be cordless?

Mowing the lawn isn't a Male or female job. We have a ride on and I mow the lawn, it's whomever is free.

I wonder though if you maybe have been a little bit less than self sufficient, as I don't understand how mowing your lawn can be seen as a request for help? It's a totally normal thing for a man or woman to do.

You are massively overthinking it.

Why is not having a partner something to be embarrassed about anyway? I'm also a single parent and I don't care at all who knows!

Ooh, cross posted with a couple of others on the Bosch lawnmower. I think that one linked by Fleet is the one we have or it might be the same but bigger because we have a lot of grass (not a stealth boast, we live in one of those post war ex council houses thrown up on massive plots on the edge of greenbelt).

I always mow the lawn because I do the gardening.

I do understand what you’re saying though because it’s doing all the jobs yourself that make you aware you’re alone.
You could pay a local kid a fiver or something if it makes you feel better and less self conscious.

I think you are making something out of nothing

I have a DH and I always mow the lawn! It's not solely a mans job for goodness sake!

This isn’t a ridiculous post at all - the OP is being made to feel judged and inferior by her neighbours and is asking advice. PPs reel it in a bit.

OP, you need to ignore your neighbours as they sound awful. Don’t keep their reactions to anything in mind.

I'd recommend a petrol mower btw OP.
Mountfield are good.