how hard is it to get your son or daughter to cut the grass

It all depends on the people involved and their history. If it is stated clearly that your son is responsible for cutting the grass and there are stated consequences when he does or doesn't do it, then you might mediate the deadline for doing it. But you have to follow through with the consequences. For instance, clearly state that he must cut the grass before dark every Tuesday. If he does that, then he may have some reward. If he doesn't he may lose some privilege. Then you must consistantly follow through with the promised consequences. After a while of this he will understand what to expect. Don't nag him about when to start. He will discover that if he doesn't start in time to do it by the deadline that he will have consequences. Let me decide when to start. That decision will determine the consequences. This is the natural, normal reality of life. If he doesn't learn this, his life will be very troubled. Better he learn it at 14 than when he is 30! I used to work with prison inmates. Most of them had not learned that the choices they had made were why they had ended up in prison. They tried to blame everyone else. But the bottom line is that we are where we are because of the choices WE have made. The sooner that is learned, the more empowered we will be to have a good life.