My husband makes our 9 and 13 year old do yard work: Is that okay?

How are they gonna learn if you baby them? It can’t be THAT hard. Kids usually start learning responsibilities earlier than that.

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Definitely do not see anything wrong with it.
I think it’s great that he is teaching them life skills.
I grew up with just my mum and I saw her do EVERYTHING on her own. I told myself I’d learn it all incase I was in her shoes one day.
Luckily I have an amazing partner so I don’t ‘need’ too know how too do it all but it sure is great too be able too leave him inside with all the kids while I get outside and dont have too hear ‘mum’ being called out every two seconds haha

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I have 4 kids they always did chores for me they are in there 30’s now and have great work ethic

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And my opinion your husband is merely doing his job as a father he’s teaching these children how to get things done that they one day will be responsible for with their families so no I don’t think that it’s a bad thing even with the young girls my daughter and I did ours ourselves me and her for years so no he’s just doing his job kudos to him

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Mine have been doing yardwork since younger than that with supervision, of course. My 15-year-old daughter and myself are currently pressure washing the back patio and deck. Teaching them to take care of stuff and how much work a house/yard is helps them appreciate it much more. :blush:

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I think you train a child early in learning to do Adults jobs plus teach them empathy to have and know what kindness and caring is! we were taught this early too. we are better people for learning to work in garden, yard work etec. your children are learning to be part of a family that works together and play together and knowing that dad cannot do all the things he wants to do and a hard working mom so will and can depend on the children to help. they will be caring helpfully adults one day. let them help! You may want to teach them to cook simply meals to help you, sort their clothes, fold and put away, house work for children needs to start early to learn responsibly.

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Mama you’re being too soft children need to learn to do chores around the house. Don’t baby them they need to learn how they can help around the house. My children learned to do chores and now do them in their own homes.

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Absolutely not! I made 3 sons do cleaning, laundry, vacuum I ng and yard work…their wives think I’m a goddess!!

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Absolutely not. It’s good for them to be out in the sun. As long as they are being safe. Kids need to learn life skills as soon as they are able.

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Yes, it good for kids to do chores inside and outside the house

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I don’t see a problem with this at all! They should have been helping out with the yard work long before now!

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Your children are off to a good start! They need to learn. It should not be treated as a punishment but a job that needs done and families pull together. I would supervise the 9 year old for a while but I am sure they will do great. Hope your work load gets a bit mire easier. Take care.:bouquet:

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At that age my brothers and I all had a lawn service for the neighborhood to make money.

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There is nothing wrong with children having chores i was mowing lawns for money when I was 11

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Your husband is doing it right! I wish more parents were like him!

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As long as your nine year old can safely hold the weed eater I see no issue. Yard work builds character and teaches responsibility.

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No not at all
BUT IF IT TURNS INTO A CRYING MATCH THEN YES
I LOVE DOING IT WHEN I WAS A KID…AT 9 BUT THAT’S ME
FIND WHAT THEY LIKE OR WHAT THEIR GOOD AT CLEANING HOUSE LAUNDRY VACUUMING SOMETHING. AND HAVE THEM DO THAT .AND THE OTHER FIND A COMMON GROUND

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Hes awesome. All kids need to learn these values. Awesome dad. All this can be fun!! Yay to a real dad

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I see this as a great thing he’s teaching them. Especially taking the electronics. Too much life being wasted staring at that stuff. I wish we would have started our two daughters at that age. They are 16 and 13 now and as hard as I try, they really don’t help with much around here…too little too late on my part unfortunately.

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Nothing wrong with 9 & 13 doing yard work at all… it teaches good work ethic and how to look after a home!!! Myself I am heat intolerant and so are my kids… So if they help.me with hard work we have to wait until sun is down or early morning which who.are.we.kidding… if we aren’t getting ready for daycare and taking off.early everyday …we SLEEP in any chance we get.

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They are absolutely capable of helping out with outside chores. It is never too early to let them assume responsibility. Our kids have always helped, with supervision,to be certain they are always safe. It will also give them a sense of purpose and helping the family.

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Not too young and if the weed eater is string run…safety glasses and good to go! Teaches them good work ethic.

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When i was 7 i fed cows, pigs, chickens. Helped in the garden, made sure the dogs had water. Shoveled poop. I wish yard work was the only thing i had to do.

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Good for your husband. Teach kids to help a round the house always

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Even if he could there should be yard work for the children. Life is no free. We all had to learn to work and be proud of what we accomplish.just be sure to praise there efforts

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My kids mowed since they were 12. They also did their own laundry, changed their sheets on Friday and cooked, set & cleared the table. Oh yeah, they also cleaned their own bathroom and learned how to sew so they didn’t need to depend on anyone else to survive in the big bad world. That’s what is seriously wrong with kids today!

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My grandchildren (10 and 8)do my yard each week. It is not perfectly done but they are young and still learning. I pay them for their work. They also help their parents with their work at home. They are growing into good, responsible, young people who know how to work.

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Um i was doing yard work and house work when I was like 6 . so theres nothing wrong with learning some responsibilities ! Builds character! This is whats wrong with kids these days they get out of doing anything and do what they want ; they dont learn any kind of responsibilities so they grow up thinking they can do

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Is this a trick question? The kids should be doing chores as soon as they can walk. Even little chores at a very young age teaches responsibility.

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That’s whats wrong with kids now days. Parents pay their kids to do chores. I was bush hogging weed eating mowing and taking care of a farm at 7. Kids need chores. They need to know what to do and how to do it so when they are on their own they can do it and not depend on people doing things for them.

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Had my seven yr old help load 170 hogs on a three deck trailer just the other day. No one is born wanting to work, gotta teach them. Refuse to let my kids grow up clueless

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Re read what you wrote…he is unable to and you are working very long days! As a mom of a 10 year old and a husband who has health issues we have him do more than expected at times and our son totally understands. As much as they would probably want to be on their electronics I’m sure if you explained why and the give and take we have for each other as a family they might get it later when they see how much you’ve given them. So in short no he did not over react. I think kids don’t have enough responsibility these days. One less thing for you to worry about getting done.

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As long as they know to handle the equipment safely and it’s not 106 out, it should be fine. Instead of focusing on taking their items away, I would praise them for their hard work and helping the household run smooth.

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I know kids who drive tractors at 9. Kids need to understand work and that it is good.

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That is absolutely acceptable, and it teaches them so much more than you’ll ever know. Heck, even if your husband was completely able to do the work and didn’t want to do had them do it, that would still be ok! Work ethic is taught. The younger, the better.

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They are capable of more than just yard work. Basics of cooking prep, dishes, their own laundry and lunches and cleaning bathrooms and dusting. At least 30 minutes a day and a couple hours on the weekends. Everyone lives in the home and everyone needs to help in the chores.

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He is teaching them good work ethics. My 6 year grandson is helping move hay bales and how toe clean stalls. All my grandkids have chores and they are 4,5,6 and 8. My 2 yr grandson has to feed the dogs and pick up his toys. Train them now to be responsible adults.

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My brothers did it from the age of 10. They were strong enough to push them. I have seen kids on riders at 7. I think it depends on maturity. Good for them

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It’s totally okay for kids to help around the house. It teaches them responsibility. And I would say given your circumstances, the help is needed and I’m sure appreciated. If you don’t want them doing it for some reason, hire someone to do it? Then they can help with other basic chores inside.

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Hands-on work is how they’ll later learn how to work and appreciate things in adult life. It makes them have a sense of accomplishment through a physical task instead of watching it onscreen. Skills of doing a physical job are going by the wayside and if they are single for a while they will thank you and your husband for teaching the value of great work and responsibilities.

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Our children did chores early in life. My son mowed grass as soon as he was big enough to ride the mower. He loved it. Kids need to learn to work.

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There is nothing wrong with having your kids work around the house and taking away their electronics to get it done. A few more parents need to be requiring this of their children. Trust me they will be better off than the kids that are required to do nothing by their parents and more prepared when they become adults.

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He is doing them an amazing service by teaching them how to chip in and work. Well done dad

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I started moving the yard at 12. Maybe before that! I loved it! I mowed every week all summer until I was out of the house! Kids need to be doing more work! Oh yes , we cleaned the house and cooked too! Obviously this was in the days before cell phones and video games! I think your husband is correct to be teaching them! They will grow up with a good work ethic! :heart::us::us::us:

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I guess I am puzzled why it is even questionable that kids do chores. I always thought our job as parents is to provide love, physical care and prepare our children for adulthood. Chores teach them part of the skills they will need as an adult, you can’t wait until they are 18 and ready to leave home to start teaching them these skills. Our job is not to be their friend but their parents. Don’t get me wrong I am not suggesting using children as slaves or something but they should definitely help out.

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They need to learn and as long as he is supervising there is nothing wrong with it. Maybe they can do chores inside too while you are working extra hours. You can reward them for their efforts too and let them know how much you appreciate them helping

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I was helping do yard work when I was 4 or 5. I used to weed, mow, sweep grass, plant stuff etc. Kids need responsibility

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Get your 9 year old some safety glasses, just n case. Kids need to be helping. No reason they can’t… didn’t you do chores when you were a kid? It’s all part of being in the family. We all take part. They both should be doing things indoors as well like helping to keep the house tidy, helping to prepare meals, cleaning up after meals. They are old enough to do their own laundry for example. Call these “life skills” if it makes you feel better. Get your kids off the electronics… they treat them like pacifiers. Your husband is right on this and doing the right thing for the kids. :heart:
Be sure to thank your husband as you see your kids grow up before your eyes.

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Sorry to say but I think your husbands right your kids have cell phones and tablets who’s paying for all that too many families now they are too easy on the kids and they just walk all over him so they need to help out chores at home it doesn’t take that long to mow or to weedy so kudos to your husband

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Good for him. And good for them! I don’t even have to ask my son to do yard work anymore and he’s been helping since he was around 9 he’s now 16. Why his someone when you’re kids can help? Teach them safety. Teach them how to do a good job. Praise them for a job well done. You have a busy family so it’s reasonable everyone pitch in to help.

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That is MORE than okay! Especially given the specifics. Kids need to learn how to do stuff for themselves- better than having some teen who is spoiled rotten, not having any idea how to do chores and basic things in life, addicted to their electronics. Give them money to do it if you want to add extra incentive.

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I think it great that he is teaching them to be responsible. One of the biggest problems today is young adult don’t know what it is to work and can’t keep a job

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They should have chores, they should be helping out. Learning responsibility, learning how to do those chores efficiently and learning it’s everyone’s responsibility to contribute. These are all important lessons. Sadly kids have become soft to this.

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Yes, both kids! Teach them how to do everything.
Mine knew how to cook, do laundry, clean, mow, plant a garden, mulch, etc. Now they do it in their own homes.

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My boys were working in the yard by the time they were 9. It shows them responsibility and shows how hard we have to work to provide for them. By the time they were 10 the washed their own close and loaded dishwasher. My husband and I both worked. Now they grown and gone and know what it takes to run a household.

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My kids grew up doing yard work and my oldest was working for friends at 12

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That’s what’s wrong with kids today they have no responsibility just do what they want to do.I am with your husband.When I was 10 I had a paper route with 83 papers to carry everyday and three yards to cut on Saturday for $1.00 A yard with a push mover…

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Big time over-reaction. Better than having 30-year olds who don’t help at all…

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They are definitely old enough to help with these chores and they need to learn these life skills early. Who knows, later on they can even do it for others and earn their own spending money.

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Yes long as he also make them aware of dangers. But kids need this

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I think your husband is teaching his children a valuable lesson. He is teaching them responsibility and a skill they can make money at at their age. I mowed yards when I was their age and made good money at it.

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Hats off to this man! I think that’s what we need today-teach kids how to do things, give them something to do, instill a sense of responsibility in them, but remember to allow time for fun ,also.

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At that age before the weedeaters came out I was doing the edging with a 2ft machete while my dad sharpen the mower blade so I can mow afterwards.

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Teaching moments… yes…Working around the yard, working in the barn, mucking out stalls, collecting eggs… I think the children of today I coddled in so many ways

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They arent too young. I taught my son to Mow when he was 8. I have never regretted it. Kids can so much more than we think. Its good for their self confidence etc too. I needed the help as a single.mom aNd he also learned to rake the yard at 8. He is a wonderful son and he is 23 now.

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My son is 12 and mows and weed eats… takes great pride in it and it teaches children about growth, helping during hard times and new traits . As a mom… I understand not wanting your babies to mow or do labor… I think it could be a good thing for them for future roles they will be forced to play by life. Hugs

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I was 10 when my dad taught me to mow grass with an electric lawn mower before that he taught me with a push mower and a gas mower. By 12 I could change the oil in the cars and knew how to change a tire.

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Girl friend…I was in the hay field the summer before 2nd grade with a pitch fork picking up broken bails and putting it in the next row…
A pitch fork…
Second grade…

They will be fine. :purple_heart:

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Is that even a serious post? Unless they are doing an oversized yard, your kids are learning life skills. Your post is what’s wrong with the world these days. Electronics for kids should be enjoyed as a treat.

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At 9 my daughter knew how to do do laundry, and help with dinner, by 13 she was cooking entire meals. Kids need to learn responsibility as well as learning to do a good job & take pride in it. Chores started for my kids at 5 .

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Not too young, I started mowing the yard with my dad when I was 10, he also taught me how to take care of our swimming pool i.e. cleaning the filter, vacuuming the pool bottom, adding chemicals. He died when I was 13 and I took over all the yard and pool work. It taught me about responsibility and doing a good job.

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I think it’s perfectly fine! I had older brothers, but they baled hay and mowed etc. I think it’s important to teach kids responsibly. As long as they were taught safety it’s great!!!

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They need uo undetstand the importance of helping and learning how to do things in their own…good parents :blush:

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I think kids should have chores. I washed dishes and ironed clothes cooked mopped floors I also did yard work younger than your kids. It won’t hurt them and how do you expect them to learn. Hands on is the best teacher.

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My kids at 6 and 9 and my oldest uses a small chainsaw and my youngest uses a small axe. They also help with all the weeding etc. I think it’s Perfect age and something that they should be more than capable of doing, it teaches them a lot and definitely gets them away from the screens too.
In my opinion they should have been helping out a lot earlier.

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My husband and I started teaching our girls to help in the yard and around the house when they started walking. They learned to pick up their toys and help pick up leaves outside. They also followed us while we did yard work so they would understand it. So many women scream about women’s rights and then at home designate boys and girls chores. We do it without thinking about it. So I support you and your husband in having your girls do work they they are certainly old enough for. They will appreciate it later.

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I used to assist my dad with yard work and mowing the lawn. He taught me how to use our riding mower safely.
It’s a great way to learn work ethic and life skills. Chores before playing…nothing wrong with that as long as it’s done with love and appreciation from you both.

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Chores are good for them. I would be more concerned with a 9 and 13 year old having their own phone and tablet. A lot of crazies out there trolling for young girls on them.

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I mowed our lawn from about 10 years old and loved it. I liked making the lines and making it look tidy. He is teaching them a great skill. Lots of females wait around for a man to do the lawns because they didn’t do it as children. I say good on him!

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You are wrong. Those are perfectly reasonable ages to be doing yard work. My kids start mowing as soon as they can control the mower. Usually around age 12. We have electric weed eaters so the younger ones can help do that. Teach them the value of hard work early!

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Kids need to have responsibilities and chores. How else will they grow and develop into responsible adults. My children had responsibilities around the farm from the time they were 4 or 5 years old. All of them grown, hard working responsible adults that are not sucking off of welfare. They should be cooking and cleaning up for themselves at that age as well.

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I was cooking family dinners by 9 baked cookies at 6/7. Cuttin up whole chickens for dinner helped mow the yard also. As early as I remember when your feet hit the floor made the bed then go to bathroom.
Dusted vacuumed did dishes by hand everyone learned this very early on. Didn’t need to hire a maid we were the cleaning committee. And you BETTER DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME or else you’d do it over and over until momma was happy.
Great lesson as our homes are now always clean not cluttered or filthy as you see now days.

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Yay for dad!!! He’s teaching his children something!!! Mom, leave dad alone and let him teach your children some work ethics!!! This is great!! My children were doing all sorts of stuff at that age…son even shoveled snow for neighbors when he was 8…good job dad!!!

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I’m 63 and I was working in the yard at age 6. My kids were a little younger than yours when we had them start. Raking leaves, mowing, weedeating.

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When I was that age, I was working in the fields, chopping and picking cotton. When I was about 12, I was milking cows. I also cut wood and pump water. I an 77 today and own my own business. Doing alterations and embroider and monogramming. Let them do work, it is good for them.

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Your husband is teaching your children life lessons and a good work ethic and this gives them self confidence to grow and do bigger and better things - you should be proud of your husband taking his time to teaching your girls !!

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No. Kids need to know how to do chores, work around the house so when they’re adults they will know how to work and take care of themselves.

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Nope,my sister and I did all our yardwork. My dad had 4 girls.He worked nights so we had to pick up the slack. Love yardwork to this day.

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They could have started earlier! Especially the 13 year old! My Dad had my brother and I mowing neighbors lawns at a very young age! We made tons of money. I wish I knew how long our driveway was. I had to do the trimming down both sides of the driveway with hand shears. We washed our cars by hand. We helped clean inside the house too. I dried the dishes every night. Your children need to have chores every day that they are responsible for completing. How else are they going to learn to take care of themselves?

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As long as they’re safely attired and can do it in short spurts in the heat. There’s absolutely no reason why they can’t help in the yard… But it might be good to add a fun component like a small garden they have control of as well. Since mere yard work for appearance can end up inoculating kids against nature instead of linking them to it.
But no they’re not too young to take a shot at this under supervision.

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This must be a joke. If the kids don’t help out, where are they going to learn these things when they get older? Given the circumstances, the children should be offering to help.

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My 5 year old son has been using the weed eater since he could hold it. That’s because he wanted to. We’ve taught him safety first. Protective eye wear, boots and long pants. I think these are good chores and to be honest life skills to have.

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yes you are wrong. the kids need to help their family. these are simple chores that promote growth and responsibility. you are a team ! if you skip this step in maturity, you will fights losing battle to maturity and independence fortesechidren.

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This is good,it will help them when they get older and out on their own and they will not have to count on anyone else to do it.Teach them all you can so they are able to do it if they don,t have a husband or even if they do.Sometimes things happen and you have no one to do it for you.Great job Dad girls need to learn to be able to handle their selves.

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If you show your kids how to operate the weed eater and mower and how to stay safe then you’re over reacting a little bit. Your husband is just looking out for you while giving your kids some responsibility (which more parents need to do)

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You have to be kidding, 9 and 13 yrs old. They are not babies anymore, dont treat them that way !!! Of course they are completely capable of that, that 13 year old is perfectly able to learn the dangers and the correct way to run a mower. I am assumeing the Dad taught them the proper way to work and just didnt turn them loose. My thoughts on on the tablets and cell phones for kids ??? ONe of the worse things for our society and bad for the health of our children. Kids needs to work and learn some work ethic. My son actually called and thanked us after he had entered the workforce for giving him a good work ethic. They should have been doing these chores and more from an earlier age, nothing wrong with a child chipping in and adding to the running of the household.

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Absolutely not. Families stick together and share the workload. Families that stick, love and work together are the best. That is called responsibility. My husband and I did our best to teach our kids. Kids grow up and become better adults from what they learned as kids. Hang tough with love.

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I did it at those ages & still do. My father was in the hospital a lot & my mother did not know how to do any of it. She did flower beds instead.Our 19 year old son did & still does too. Our 24 year old daughter always bribed her brother & in college cooked in exchange for friends doing her yard work at our house there. Lol. He is teaching them a good work ethic & they will be Independant, self-sufficient young ladies. I think with his supervision, they will do awesome & deserve snow-cones, icees, or whatever treat . (My son loves something really cold after working.)

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I grew up on a farm since I was 10 and we did everything. Best experience ever, not at that time cause my friends were out playing but when it was fall and we got all the food we grew and fresh meat from the animals it was worth it.

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I’ve been mowing and weed eating since I was younger than they are, I’m sure they’re fine. Even before my dad owned a landscaping company when I was 12 and my sister was 10, we begged him to let us mow or weed eat our lawn. When he started the company, he brought us to work with him every weekend and it was an awesome summer job. I still love doing that kind of work, and it’s always a great skill to fall back on for side work if money is tight.