Scarlett Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Not the intestinal kind. :D The kind that goes in vehicles. At what age do you let your boys (or girls for that matter) start pumping gas for you? My son is 9 1/2. I'd like to start teaching him how to do it. Opinions wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Not the intestinal kind. :D The kind that goes in vehicles. At what age do you let your boys (or girls for that matter) start pumping gas for you? My son is 9 1/2. I'd like to start teaching him how to do it. Opinions wanted. No opinion here, but I was SURE you were gonna talk about the intestinal kind. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 When they are old enough to drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 It is the law in many states that you have to be old enough to be a licensed driver to pump gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 I have started to work with my son on this - but he's young. I want him to be in the habit of serving others and finding ways to be helpful. I would check the pump though - there are notes there about how old the pumper can be - legalities and all. Even if he can't pump - he can be in the habit of gathering trash and washing the windshield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 It is the law in many states that you have to be old enough to be a licensed driver to pump gas. Oooooohhhhhhhhh.....Didnt even think about the danged law. Thanks. I'll look into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen in VA Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Not altogether sure about this, but I seem to recall reading that you need to be a licensed driver to pump gas. I think some states actually have laws stating this. I tried googling it but without success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 When they are old enough to drive. Really? 14 here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 my oldest started pumping gas around age 14 This is when we started teaching him car maintenance in preparation for his driver permit at age 15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Here you can't until you're licenced to drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 I googled a bit and I think the law is the same here in my state. Driving age. I feel a little better now about getting soaked in my dress late last night while ds sat in the cozy car. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 What would be the point? When they learn to drive.....then teach them, LOL! I wouldn't want my kids that young dealing with gas..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 What would be the point? When they learn to drive.....then teach them, LOL! I wouldn't want my kids that young dealing with gas..... The point? Ummmmm....the point would be ME longer having to do it. But I agree he is probably still too young at 9 1/2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammy Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 I would rather not do.....LOL! But pumping gas.....nah.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhM Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 The point? Ummmmm....the point would be ME longer having to do it. But I agree he is probably still too young at 9 1/2. LOL - this is so funny - I just came home from pumping gas and went through this entire thought process at the gas station - why can't 14yo dd pump for me? Oh, that's right, must be a licensed driver to pump. What about with parental supervision? That's something that would be useful to teach before they *need* to know how, isn't it? Man, the government really has to save us from ourselves in some cases... (you get the idea). Anyway, for some reason, the latch stuck on the pump, and when the tank was full started gushing gas out all over my car and onto the ground! I know there are warnings on the pump to stay close for that reason, but that has never happened to me before! So I guess there's my answer for why it may not be a good idea for younger kids to pump? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom3tn Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 My DS is 12 and he has been pumping the gas since he was 11. It never occurred to me that there might be a law about it. He doesn't do it all by himself, though; I'm out there with him incase he needs help. He just wanted to be able to help out and I thought it would be a good thing for him to learn. OTOH, he has been mowing the lawn by himself for a few years now, and he puts gas in the lawn mower by himself whenever it is needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 LOL - this is so funny - I just came home from pumping gas and went through this entire thought process at the gas station - why can't 14yo dd pump for me? Oh, that's right, must be a licensed driver to pump. What about with parental supervision? That's something that would be useful to teach before they *need* to know how, isn't it? Man, the government really has to save us from ourselves in some cases... (you get the idea). Anyway, for some reason, the latch stuck on the pump, and when the tank was full started gushing gas out all over my car and onto the ground! I know there are warnings on the pump to stay close for that reason, but that has never happened to me before! So I guess there's my answer for why it may not be a good idea for younger kids to pump? Thanks for this. I talked to mom just now and she pointed out that 9 year olds don't generally have quick reflexes and good decision making skills in crisis....so for now I will wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share Posted October 9, 2009 My DS is 12 and he has been pumping the gas since he was 11. It never occurred to me that there might be a law about it. He doesn't do it all by himself, though; I'm out there with him incase he needs help. He just wanted to be able to help out and I thought it would be a good thing for him to learn. OTOH, he has been mowing the lawn by himself for a few years now, and he puts gas in the lawn mower by himself whenever it is needed. My 9 year old mows the lawn too, but just started this summer. I only let him put the gas in once with my supervision. As for the car gas, I think I will let him start getting out with me like another poster suggested....let him run the debit car through, clean my windshield, get trash out.....and watch me do the actual pumping. Like mom told me he is a little young to do it by himself but the time has come for him to understand this is a job men should do for women if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 I wouldn't allow it until they could drive. However, I have started teaching him how to do the windows while I pump the gas to help out. He also helps poppa out to change the oil and such. It will be a while(several years) before he can do any of that on his own in the meantime he is getting a chance to help out. He really enjoys doing these things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crissy Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 My older son started pumping gas *for me* at 14. My younger son (10) recently began pumping gas *with me*. It is one of those things, like taking the trash to the curb and carrying the groceries in from the car, that my boys like to do for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwinMominTX Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 My girls think it is great fun to help me pump gas. They are 8. They do most of the work while I stand and supervise. I remember being about 10 or so when I started doing it for my mom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Not the intestinal kind. :D The kind that goes in vehicles. I've just seen a hitherto unrealised positive of our using the word "petrol" OK, as for the question. Well we do it. Our 15yo doesn't do it either, not that he has asked to. I actually find the pump hard to hold myself as I have little hands and I don't want the kids exposed to those fumes anytime before they need to. When they are driving will be soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 :auto: No opinion here, but I was SURE you were gonna talk about the intestinal kind. :D :iagree: It is the law in many states that you have to be old enough to be a licensed driver to pump gas. That's what I thought too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 I had never heard of a law about it! My kids have been pumping gas for years! I never would have considered a 9yr old that mom thought capable of it as being too young either. Well, I'm certainly not gonna stop them from doing it. Rule is that the front seat passenger does it. I'm not changing the rule! (oh, okay, if someone linked the LAW saying my son couldn't, I guess he'd get out of it because I believe in following the law....I'm just hoping there is no such law and/or that no one decides to link it!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Not the intestinal kind. :D The kind that goes in vehicles. At what age do you let your boys (or girls for that matter) start pumping gas for you? My son is 9 1/2. I'd like to start teaching him how to do it. Opinions wanted. I also thought you were heading the other way. :) Make sure you read the little sticker on the pumps about the laws. I found out that it was illegal for people under a certain age (16) to pump gas in my state - amazing what I find when I start reading laws. In some states (Oregon) gas has to be pumped by a professional for some reason that I don't understand. And btw, girls need to know how to pump gas too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Every state I've lived in does not allow it, by law, until age 16. So we allowed it at age 16. Not the intestinal kind. :D The kind that goes in vehicles. At what age do you let your boys (or girls for that matter) start pumping gas for you? My son is 9 1/2. I'd like to start teaching him how to do it. Opinions wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 We live in Oregon, and as a previous poster mentioned, there is a law against pumping your own gas. Station attendants do it for you. Not sure of the history of it, but we were surprised when we moved here a couple of years ago. It's a nice thing when it's blowing freezing rain or wind, but not so great when you're in a rush and your attendant isn't. Regarding the comment about teaching your girls how to pump gas too... I could have used some lessons. When I took driver's ed and was doing my practice driving with the instructor, he stopped at a gas station and told me to pump the gas while he went into the convenience store. I don't think I ever had, and wasn't aware that when the pump "clicks" it means it's sensed the tank is full. I kept trying to pump more in, until I noticed the gas spilling onto the ground. :tongue_smilie: As an adult, if you've been doing it forever, it may seem to be obvious, but it's not necessarily! Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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