Safety question

DecemberGirl1216

I am in need of some opinions please. My H likes to take our daughter on short rides in the yard on the lawn mower with the blades not down, just a joy ride. I don't love that he does that but I know he would never do something he thought could compromise her safety. My parents live down the road from us and my father cornered me to let me know he thought it was unsafe and shouldn't be done. I didn't say anything to my husband because he is our daughters Daddy and I know he wouldn't do it if he thought it was unsafe.

My father insists that my daughter will learn to run towards mower's with their blades down which is ridiculous to me. Opinions? Do any of you think that is unsafe enough warranting me telling my H how to parent? Thanks in advance!

SingleMom31

I can see both arguments.  On one hand, the act of riding around on the lawn mower probably won't hurt anyone.  On the other, she's learning that the lawn mower is fun, and she's not old enough to understand the difference between when it's okay to ride with daddy and when she should stay away from it.  So, then, the guess the question is how much is she supervised when he's actually mowing the lawn?  If there's no opportunity for her to go running for the mower while he's mowing, I say go for it.  If she's often going to be playing in the yard at the same time, I'd err on the side of caution.

*LrCg*

Honestly its all about teaching your children safety.  My kids are VERY use to being around tractors- planting tractors, combines, sprayers, etc.- you name it.  And obviously they are obsessed at a very young age with them.  And all have started to ride them while in use @ 1 or prior.  They all were forced to wear junior size ear protectors and off they went.  It was always their special time.  If my DH is mowing, never would my toddler be away from me and run out to a mowing tractor (and I have 3 kids 5 years and younger)- that would be irresponsible on my part.  I always give a visual- you can't go past this point in our yard (even at 1 all kids can easily follow this).  There are times when our youngest (17 months old) wakes from her nap and wants to mow so when I take her outside, I personally carry her and walk her to her Daddy.  They were all taught how, where and when they can climb on tractors and they all listened.  I think people really under estimate kids (17 month olds are very capable of listening and following instructions).

minervacullen

My fil rides with the kids on his. But I/we don't let our kids outside if he's mowing, at all.

DecemberGirl1216

Thanks for the input ladies. I always am close by when our daughter is outside and usually she is inside when the yard is being mowed. We live on a farm and I want her to have a healthy respect for how dangerous some of the equipment is. She is starting to think of the lawn mower as fun which I will have to tell my husband to be vigilant about keeping the keys locked up.

I can just sense this will be an issue for my parents trying to assert some control and acting in a passive aggressive way towards my husband. I can remember sitting on my Dad's lap as he smoked cigarettes, but he acts differently now as a "grandparent"

SingleMom31

DecemberGirl1216 said:

Thanks for the input ladies. I always am close by when our daughter is outside and usually she is inside when the yard is being mowed. We live on a farm and I want her to have a healthy respect for how dangerous some of the equipment is. She is starting to think of the lawn mower as fun which I will have to tell my husband to be vigilant about keeping the keys locked up. I can just sense this will be an issue for my parents trying to assert some control and acting in a passive aggressive way towards my husband. I can remember sitting on my Dad's lap as he smoked cigarettes, but he acts differently now as a "grandparent"

This made me laugh because my dad is the same way.  As kids, we'd ride our bikes between our friends houses (a mile or two away) and he was never worried about people snatching us; he'd smoke with us around (it was the early 80s); we were always in the kitchen with him cooking (he's a huge baker); etc.  Conversely, the last time that we visited, I had ordered a creme brulee while we were out -- He was totally paranoid of the crusty sugar on stop and warned me not to give DD any because it could be sharp.  Really, dangerous sugar?! 

DecemberGirl1216

That is funny, you really have to be cautious of sharp sugar! Sounds like you have a good idea of what I mean