>I was on horseback before I can remember. Driving a pickup with my father in the back feeding hay at 6. Mowing the lawn by myself around 8.
>
>I swear, you city folk raise your children in bubbles. ;)
>
>OK, OK, I realize there are exceptions :)
>
>Your average kid starts some serious muscle growth around 11-12. Some of the lawns I cut were a bit hilly, so it was a little more than just filling up the tank and pushing the mower monotonously. I agree that kids should be given chores and work to do - my 4 year old already has things she has to do every day - just not crazy about having them operate a lawn mower until they're both mature enough and physically ready.
>
>I know we think of this as a light-hearted topic, but there's a serious element - many lawnmower accidents every year. Many involve kids and horsing around. (And some involving idiot adults). According to American Academy of Pediatrics, thousands of kids lose a limb, or worse, every year because someone was either careless or stupid.

I hardly think we should limit that statement to "kids".

>(Is it me, or am I channeling Tamar?) :)

>I'm neither city folk nor country folk - basic suburbian. Actually, we live near farmland, but just a few miles from a large town.

Suburban is city folk. Nice try, city boy. ;)