Since 1997, HomeTips has guided millions of homeowners with original, expert advice for DIY home improvement and repair. Founder Don Vandervort, a nationally recognized authority, has written more than 30 books and countless magazine articles, been a host on HGTV, and served as MSN's home improvement expert. MORE
Nathan, my 8-year old, loves to weed whack. All the things I hate about the weed whacker, he loves. He’s eight. He loves to push the gas through. Hold the weed whacker. Whip the starter pull back to start it. Loves the word “choke.” Loves the incredibly loud and annoying noise it makes. Would love to have that noise as background music in the house at all times. He loves the destruction. Point the weed whacker down and watch the grass go flying. Dirt flies too. Look at the cool hard string that shoots out and potentially takes off your toes. Check out the danger, and he’s in control of it.
The first time he weed whacked, I hovered, held the pole with him, knew this was certain death. Goggled, gloved, booted: Things were going to get destroyed. His small (not so small) limbs, fence posts, lizards. But he wore me down. He wanted to weed whack every DAY. Please, he begs after school. I did my homework. Can’t I weed whack?
We did need a lot of weeding done. I neglected it because it was so awful, hot, and loud. Now I’ve paired up the two loudest things in my life: eight year old boy, gas powered gardening equipment. I pay him two dollars to do the whole yard. It’s freed me up to do more glorious things like picking up dog poop.
