Mowing feels like the easy job to hand to whoever lives closest. But the lawn is only one line on the list. The real question is how many hours it takes each month, who owns the equipment, and who is on the hook when the mower will not start in the middle of July.
Local option: New Plan Care gives families in the St. Louis area in-home help so a parent can stay home: companionship, help with bathing and dressing, meals, and overnight care. Call (314) 405-0887.
Count the hours honestly
Time the mowing, the trimming around the edges, the blowing off the walk, and the drive there and back. Add the time to fill the gas, sharpen or replace the blade, and clean the deck. Most people undercount the drive and the setup, which is where the afternoon disappears. Write the total in hours per month so the family can compare it to a hired crew's plan on the same terms.
Check the equipment
Who owns the mower, the trimmer, and the gas can? If the answer is Mom, check whether they still start, where they are stored, and whether the storage is dry. If the answer is a sibling, ask whether they are willing to lend it for the full season, and what happens if it breaks.
Ask the hired crew the right things
If you compare a hired crew, ask what is included: edging, blowing, and hauling clippings, or only the cut. Ask whether they carry their own liability insurance, how they handle rain dates, what happens when a visit is missed, and whether the same crew comes back each week. Ask for the terms in writing, including how either side can cancel.
Decide who fixes what
Whoever does the work should also know who to call when something breaks. Name that person at the meeting. If you do it yourself, the repair is part of the job. If you hire it out, the repair is part of the contract. The family should agree on which one it is before the first cut.