Good post Tom, I dont think your crazy at all, for me about 13. I grew up on my Uncle's farm running and operating most everything by age 13-14 and it sure has helped through out life learning all the skills one could. I think alot of it has to do with YOUR judgement of their skill with different power tools / equipment. It usually dont take long to judge a younger persons skill operating different things. Keeping it safe as possible with the safety gear nessassry would be a big + over the way I learned most things back then. Showed the right way is another + in my book.
I feel kids are sheltered so much these days that a cell phone, lap top, and video games are all they are gonna know in life because EVERYTHING is to dangerous for them according to some.
Some are better at things than others too. For example my 18 yr old daughter can not drive the garden tractor mowing at all, totally unsafe. And the 13 yr old daughter can mow on it as good as me, very safe. The older one knows EVERYTHING I tell ya, thats why she tried to drive up a tree mowing, twice. I waited to long to teach her I think.
So Im all for teaching younger ones skills, some will not agree Im sure, and thats ok but its nice when you get older not to half to pay someone for everything you need done.
Todd