Is it ladylike to mow the lawn?

[RR88]

I just got in from mowing the front and back yards, and while I don't "enjoy" doing it, it's good exercise and I get to put my headphones on and enjoy a Grateful Dead show or the radio while I work.

My (Jewish) fundie neighbors always stare at me, though, because none of the women in the neighborhood (except yours truly and her mother) mow lawns. We can't afford a lawn care service and would rather do it ourselves anyway. It's not like there are any men around to do it. And besides, the lawn care guy who works in our neighborhood (an Israeli) thinks it's awesome that we mow the lawn ourselves.

Out of curiosity, I Googled "mowing lawn ladylike" when I came in the house and came up with this page, where a woman writes, "It's just hard to know if I am desecrating my princess status by doing 'man's work'." Really. themegodcreatedmetobe.blogspot.com/2010/04/is-it-ladylike-to-mow-lawn.html

Do fundies not allow their daughters or wives to mow the lawn? I'm pretty sure the Duggars do, though their lawn mower is a ride-on so not much sweat is required.

[ilovetchotchkes]

I just got in from mowing the front and back yards, and while I don't "enjoy" doing it, it's good exercise and I get to put my headphones on and enjoy a Grateful Dead show or the radio while I work.

My (Jewish) fundie neighbors always stare at me, though, because none of the women in the neighborhood (except yours truly and her mother) mow lawns. We can't afford a lawn care service and would rather do it ourselves anyway. It's not like there are any men around to do it. And besides, the lawn care guy who works in our neighborhood (an Israeli) thinks it's awesome that we mow the lawn ourselves.

Out of curiosity, I Googled "mowing lawn ladylike" when I came in the house and came up with this page, where a woman writes, "It's just hard to know if I am desecrating my princess status by doing 'man's work'." Really. themegodcreatedmetobe.blogspot.com/2010/04/is-it-ladylike-to-mow-lawn.html

Do fundies not allow their daughters or wives to mow the lawn? I'm pretty sure the Duggars do, though their lawn mower is a ride-on so not much sweat is required.

When i'm not pregnant, there are fights in my house on who GETS (not has, gets) to mow the lawn between my husband and I. We both love it for some reason. I put the kid in one of those backpack things on my back and get mowin'. However, the backpack doesn't fit over my bump! So the headship gets to do it!

I think for him its because I do all the gardening and he feels like he's helping me by mowing the lawn. :) He's a sweet guy like that.

[PennySycamore]

I'll have to tell my neighbor that she was not being ladylike when she was out mowing her lawn earlier this afternoon. It's not she doesn't have a man around to do it either. It's just that she likes working out in her yard and darn it, the grass needed to be cut. She was using a push mower, too, so she was getting some good exercise.

[mystweaver]

I loved mowing the lawn right up until I developed allergies. If I could still mow, I would.

My headship and I have appropriately gendered yardwork division now--I garden/weed, he mows. Less sneezing all around.

[EmmieJ]

I consider keeping up my yard to be what civilized people do. When I was in my late teens and early 20's, I was the offspring in my parents' home who mowed our yards (front, back and side). I enjoyed it. It's perfectly ladylike, in that a real lady is a capable, strong, can-do sort of person, not subject to fainting spells or turning up her nose at good clean work.

[fundifugee]

In my family, my sister and I had to mow the lawn from the age of 10 on.

However, when my brothers got to be around that age, they were assigned that chore, and they were PAID for it (we weren't).

[bellicosebroad]

I just got in from mowing the front and back yards, and while I don't "enjoy" doing it, it's good exercise and I get to put my headphones on and enjoy a Grateful Dead show or the radio while I work.

My (Jewish) fundie neighbors always stare at me, though, because none of the women in the neighborhood (except yours truly and her mother) mow lawns. We can't afford a lawn care service and would rather do it ourselves anyway. It's not like there are any men around to do it. And besides, the lawn care guy who works in our neighborhood (an Israeli) thinks it's awesome that we mow the lawn ourselves.

Out of curiosity, I Googled "mowing lawn ladylike" when I came in the house and came up with this page, where a woman writes, "It's just hard to know if I am desecrating my princess status by doing 'man's work'." Really. themegodcreatedmetobe.blogspot.com/2010/04/is-it-ladylike-to-mow-lawn.html

Do fundies not allow their daughters or wives to mow the lawn? I'm pretty sure the Duggars do, though their lawn mower is a ride-on so not much sweat is required.

Oh, puh-leeze. Those poor girls break a sweat far more often than the boys do, I'm sure. Lugging toddlers and huge loads of laundry around, and scrubbing floors, sinks, toilets and bathtubs/showers most certainly makes 'em sweat -- though guess that doesn't desecrate their "princess status." :-D No, riding around on a nice cool riding lawnmower enjoying the outdoors certainly does, though.

[RR88]

Yeah. The front lawn is much easier for me to do, because our backyard has gotten all dug up by the dog and it's a bumpy terrain.

If it were up to me, we'd get rid of all our grass and replace our lawn with rocks and succulents. I think vast expanses of green grass are silly, but to each his own. I used to live near a woman who made international news for turning her front lawn into a vegetable garden.

...Do people really worry that God doesn't want women to mow lawns? Jeez.

[Tator Tot Tubby]

Am I the only one who thought this thread was about something completely different?

[Maul the Koala]

Didn't Michelle Duggar defraud everyone in her teenage days by mowing the lawn in a bikini?

[RR88]

Am I the only one who thought this thread was about something completely different?

I was worried about that. Oh, well. It's not my fault that the world is full of euphemisms. :D

[RR88]

Didn't Michelle Duggar defraud everyone in her teenage days by mowing the lawn in a bikini?

"I mowed the lawn in a bikini and had no idea what I was doing to my neighbor's husband across the street. No wonder the woman hated our family — you know? And, I think I had no clue as far as the responsibility I had in that the way I dressed caused men to have struggles."

[Deleted03]

Yeah. The front lawn is much easier for me to do, because our backyard has gotten all dug up by the dog and it's a bumpy terrain.

If it were up to me, we'd get rid of all our grass and replace our lawn with rocks and succulents. I think vast expanses of green grass are silly, but to each his own. I used to live near a woman who made international news for turning her front lawn into a vegetable garden.

...Do people really worry that God doesn't want women to mow lawns? Jeez.

the best yarn I have ever seen was full of ferns, so it kept everything very cool even on a humid hot day!

[nomi]

I mowed my yard because the ex didn't like doing it. He also didn't like doing "women's work" either...yeah he's an ex.

Anyway, until my allergies got to where I couldn't do it anymore I'd throw on jeans, a bikini top, sneakers, bandana, and music and go to town. I guess I could have worn heels to make it more lady like...

[blisterine]

Didn't Michelle Duggar defraud everyone in her teenage days by mowing the lawn in a bikini?

i'm glad she did it them, because she sure can't do it now!

[clibbyjo]

As a 12 year old I cut our yard and the old neighbor's next door.For some reason I was the grass cutter out of 3 girls in our family.

I have 3 acres, about 1 acre of grass filled with trees and surrounded by woods. I used to cut it when we had a working riding mower,but the rider broke and now we have a punch mower and my husband and 15 year old son take turns or split the yard. The girl has no desire and with the terrain I made my oldest wait until age 13, I doubt she will do it.

I live in the country and mostly the women around here have riding mowers and they put on the headphones and a bikini top and spend the day out there away from the kids. Everyone has "land" and I would say 80% of the grass getting cut around here is by women on riding mowers. :dance:

[Austin]

When i'm not pregnant, there are fights in my house on who GETS (not has, gets) to mow the lawn between my husband and I. We both love it for some reason. I put the kid in one of those backpack things on my back and get mowin'. However, the backpack doesn't fit over my bump! So the headship gets to do it! I think for him its because I do all the gardening and he feels like he's helping me by mowing the lawn. :) He's a sweet guy like that.

We have photos of our eldest at about a year old in the backpack on my husband's back while he was mowing the lawn. The baby LOVED it. I don't know what was so fascinating about it, but it was great fun apparently. :D

Mowing the lawn is a good workout (assuming you have to push the mower and walk). Every once in awhile I get in the mood to do it.

[ilovetchotchkes]

We have photos of our eldest at about a year old in the backpack on my husband's back while he was mowing the lawn. The baby LOVED it. I don't know what was so fascinating about it, but it was great fun apparently. :D

Mowing the lawn is a good workout (assuming you have to push the mower and walk). Every once in awhile I get in the mood to do it.

My son would "steer" by yanking my braid last summer.... Maybe i'll have my husband do it with him on Saturday!!!!

[desertvixen]

I would prefer to bribe someone or trade duties, but if the lawn needs mowing, I get out there and do it.

[alysee]

I just got in from mowing the front and back yards, and while I don't "enjoy" doing it, it's good exercise and I get to put my headphones on and enjoy a Grateful Dead show or the radio while I work.

My (Jewish) fundie neighbors always stare at me, though, because none of the women in the neighborhood (except yours truly and her mother) mow lawns. We can't afford a lawn care service and would rather do it ourselves anyway. It's not like there are any men around to do it. And besides, the lawn care guy who works in our neighborhood (an Israeli) thinks it's awesome that we mow the lawn ourselves.

Out of curiosity, I Googled "mowing lawn ladylike" when I came in the house and came up with this page, where a woman writes, "It's just hard to know if I am desecrating my princess status by doing 'man's work'." Really. themegodcreatedmetobe.blogspot.com/2010/04/is-it-ladylike-to-mow-lawn.html

Do fundies not allow their daughters or wives to mow the lawn? I'm pretty sure the Duggars do, though their lawn mower is a ride-on so not much sweat is required.

I haven't ever done it. There was no point my dad did it and then my brother loved doing it...in fact they scare me. Even the push mowers scare me. Full on panic attack scare me...I guess I am still a princess!

[ilovetchotchkes]

I haven't ever done it. There was no point my dad did it and then my brother loved doing it...in fact they scare me. Even the push mowers scare me. Full on panic attack scare me...I guess I am still a princess!

I think i figured out why I like it. My dad would never let me because it was "dangerous". It kind of gives me a thrill "BUAH HA HA! I'm doing SOMETHING FORBIDDEN!!!"

[alysee]

You've just proven you're much more of a rebel then me! Although, if I was being honest with myself I think I would already know that!

I think i figured out why I like it. My dad would never let me because it was "dangerous". It kind of gives me a thrill "BUAH HA HA! I'm doing SOMETHING FORBIDDEN!!!"

[Miss M]

Do fundies not allow their daughters or wives to mow the lawn? I'm pretty sure the Duggars do, though their lawn mower is a ride-on so not much sweat is required.

Mow two acres of lawn and three of pasture on a 85 degree day in Illinois, you will sweat like a mofo, riding mower or not! My Mother and I trade off weekly on the mowing at the farm, but mowing sucks rider or not...oh and my headship mows at our house in town, but he hates if Mother and I go on Vaca and he has to mow at the Farm!!

[ellerigby]

I mowed my parents' lawn from the age of 10 until I left for college (and sometimes after if I was home on breaks). After push-mowing their large ranch home lawn for 8 dusty Arizona summers (and winters, though that wasn't as bad...), I'd prefer to never, ever do it again. However, I totally will if necessary- I'm not a princess. :lol: I hope to buy a house with desert landscaping, anyway- I think it's silly (and a waste of water) to maintain a lawn in the desert.

Fundies can be so ridiculous about the simplest things!

[StacyW]

I think i figured out why I like it. My dad would never let me because it was "dangerous". It kind of gives me a thrill "BUAH HA HA! I'm doing SOMETHING FORBIDDEN!!!"

I liked mowing the lawn for the same reason! When my husband and I moved to a nicer neighborhood I realized I was the only resident out there doing it myself, and my husband was never volunteering to do it, so it became a chore and I hired somebody to do it.