At what age should i consider letting my son do yard work?

Question

my son wants a part time summer chore to do to make extra allowance. he already gets five dollars a week for cleaning his room, vacuuming his room and feeding his hamster. no way would i let him mow yet but at what age is yard work a good thing to add? he's 7 right now, but not your normal 7 he acts like he's at least 11 or 12 conversation and intelligence wise.

Answer 1

It is fantastic that your 7 year old wants to EARN extra allowance.  My child also has a chore chart.  This is what we do.  Some things are free, he doesn't get paid for doing certain chores that are just a part of being in the family.  He does get certain amounts for doing extra work.  And, he doesn't get the extra pay if he hasn't done his regular chores or if he has misbehaved.  Here are a few examples:

*Some Free chores, part of family:

Cleaning his room

Doing his homework

Brushing teeth & taking shower

Making his bed

Some Chores that will make him $$$:

Vacumming the whole house

Helping bathe little brother

Carrying groceries

Dusting

Mowing yard on a riding mower (he's 9yrs.old)

Taking out garbage

At 7 yrs. old, can he push a regular mower?  Why not give him a few lessons, see how he does.  He could also help with weeding, taking out garbage, gardening, etc.  Just see how he does with it.  Or you could get one of those manual mowers & let him use that.

Good LUck

Answer 2

why is he getting rewarded for something that he should be doing anyways? his room and hamster is his resposibility.

i would want yard work too if i were getting paid to do it.

anyway its never to early to let him start to help around the house and yard, maybe he just wants to be close to you so let him!

Answer 3

Let him do it now!  If he is eager to help then let him.  That eagerness does not last forever and if you feel uncomfortable with some of the yard stuff have him pull weeds, rake up leaves start the compost pile and turn it, use the wheelbarrow.  Instead of the heavy duty things like running the lawn mower or weedeater!  My husband and his 3 brothers would go to the neighbors during the summer and do all the yard work. The older ones would do some and the younger ones would do the easier stuff.  Good Luck and do what feels right in your gut!  =)

Answer 4

um, personally, I wouldn't give him an allowance for cleaning his room and feeding his hamster.  Vacuuming his room is advanced for a 7 year old, so allowance for that is ok.  If he is old enough to do a good job raking, then there is no problem letting him do it to earn extra money.

Answer 5

my dad made me do yard work since i was about five. it started with just helping, like picking up trash, then raking, then mowing the lawn, now do everything. i used to be like your son, hes going to become a good man, if i could say so.

Answer 6

he can rake the leaves,help you in the garden and pick up things,supplies,and trash around your yard

Answer 7

My 7 year old and my 4 year old both help with yard work.  Have him pull weeks, pick up leaves, things like that.  Or have him give you a hand with whatever yard work you are doing at the time.  Hes a little young for the lawnmower, though, I wouldnt let my 7 year old do it quite yet.

Answer 8

Letting him do it now will be a great benefit to him later in life.  Raking is fine, mulching is fine, watering is fine, for clipping and mowing you will have to give him a safetly lesson, safetly gear and he might not have the strength for it.  Learning how to organize and accomplish different goals will be a boon to him.  I would guess that by 9 or 10 he will have the strength to mow and cut - explain the dangers, show him how to use the tools and supervise him the first time.