Importance of Yard

[moneymaker]

I’m gonna have to beg to differ from the consensus. I felt the same way when I bought 2 years ago, I wanted a big yard, and I got it. Now the yard is a lot of work, water is too damn expensive, especially when tied to the sewer bill. Kids these days don’t seem to go out and play like we did when growing up. I don’t mind mowing it, only takes 20 minutes or so. To properly maintain a large yard is expensive, not as much as a pool but still not cheap. I love our yard but there is a lot to be said for concrete,lasts forever and needs no care,no water , no fertilizer. Throw a lounger on it and it becomes pretty inviting.

[an]

[quote=threadkiller]I’m gonna have to beg to differ from the consensus. I felt the same way when I bought 2 years ago, I wanted a big yard, and I got it. Now the yard is a lot of work, water is too damn expensive, especially when tied to the sewer bill. Kids these days don’t seem to go out and play like we did when growing up. I don’t mind mowing it, only takes 20 minutes or so. To properly maintain a large yard is expensive, not as much as a pool but still not cheap. I love our yard but there is a lot to be said for concrete,lasts forever and needs no care,no water , no fertilizer. Throw a lounger on it and it becomes pretty inviting.[/quote]
When I say yard, I don’t strictly mean real grass. You can go artificial grass or even concrete. Just a fenced in place for the kids to play where you can keep an eye on them while you’re inside makes a huge deal. My toddler wants to go out in the yard everyday. I live 2-3 blocks away from the park, yet I’m using my yard much much more than I use the park. Carrying all the toys he wants to play with to park would be a huge pain. I can’t picture doing that everyday.

[an]

[quote=threadkiller]I’m gonna have to beg to differ from the consensus. I felt the same way when I bought 2 years ago, I wanted a big yard, and I got it. Now the yard is a lot of work, water is too damn expensive, especially when tied to the sewer bill. Kids these days don’t seem to go out and play like we did when growing up. I don’t mind mowing it, only takes 20 minutes or so. To properly maintain a large yard is expensive, not as much as a pool but still not cheap. I love our yard but there is a lot to be said for concrete,lasts forever and needs no care,no water , no fertilizer. Throw a lounger on it and it becomes pretty inviting.[/quote]
When I say yard, I don’t strictly mean real grass. You can go artificial grass or even concrete. Just a fenced in place for the kids to play where you can keep an eye on them while you’re inside makes a huge deal. My toddler wants to go out in the yard everyday. I live 2-3 blocks away from the park, yet I’m using my yard much much more than I use the park. Carrying all the toys he wants to play with to park would be a huge pain. I can’t picture doing that everyday.

[an]

[quote=threadkiller]I’m gonna have to beg to differ from the consensus. I felt the same way when I bought 2 years ago, I wanted a big yard, and I got it. Now the yard is a lot of work, water is too damn expensive, especially when tied to the sewer bill. Kids these days don’t seem to go out and play like we did when growing up. I don’t mind mowing it, only takes 20 minutes or so. To properly maintain a large yard is expensive, not as much as a pool but still not cheap. I love our yard but there is a lot to be said for concrete,lasts forever and needs no care,no water , no fertilizer. Throw a lounger on it and it becomes pretty inviting.[/quote]
When I say yard, I don’t strictly mean real grass. You can go artificial grass or even concrete. Just a fenced in place for the kids to play where you can keep an eye on them while you’re inside makes a huge deal. My toddler wants to go out in the yard everyday. I live 2-3 blocks away from the park, yet I’m using my yard much much more than I use the park. Carrying all the toys he wants to play with to park would be a huge pain. I can’t picture doing that everyday.

[an]

[quote=threadkiller]I’m gonna have to beg to differ from the consensus. I felt the same way when I bought 2 years ago, I wanted a big yard, and I got it. Now the yard is a lot of work, water is too damn expensive, especially when tied to the sewer bill. Kids these days don’t seem to go out and play like we did when growing up. I don’t mind mowing it, only takes 20 minutes or so. To properly maintain a large yard is expensive, not as much as a pool but still not cheap. I love our yard but there is a lot to be said for concrete,lasts forever and needs no care,no water , no fertilizer. Throw a lounger on it and it becomes pretty inviting.[/quote]
When I say yard, I don’t strictly mean real grass. You can go artificial grass or even concrete. Just a fenced in place for the kids to play where you can keep an eye on them while you’re inside makes a huge deal. My toddler wants to go out in the yard everyday. I live 2-3 blocks away from the park, yet I’m using my yard much much more than I use the park. Carrying all the toys he wants to play with to park would be a huge pain. I can’t picture doing that everyday.

[an]

[quote=threadkiller]I’m gonna have to beg to differ from the consensus. I felt the same way when I bought 2 years ago, I wanted a big yard, and I got it. Now the yard is a lot of work, water is too damn expensive, especially when tied to the sewer bill. Kids these days don’t seem to go out and play like we did when growing up. I don’t mind mowing it, only takes 20 minutes or so. To properly maintain a large yard is expensive, not as much as a pool but still not cheap. I love our yard but there is a lot to be said for concrete,lasts forever and needs no care,no water , no fertilizer. Throw a lounger on it and it becomes pretty inviting.[/quote]
When I say yard, I don’t strictly mean real grass. You can go artificial grass or even concrete. Just a fenced in place for the kids to play where you can keep an eye on them while you’re inside makes a huge deal. My toddler wants to go out in the yard everyday. I live 2-3 blocks away from the park, yet I’m using my yard much much more than I use the park. Carrying all the toys he wants to play with to park would be a huge pain. I can’t picture doing that everyday.

[CBad]

It’s hugely important to our family but everyone is different. My kids are always outside and they’d much rather be outside here or in the neighborhood or at a neighbor friend’s yard than any nearby park.

[CBad]

It’s hugely important to our family but everyone is different. My kids are always outside and they’d much rather be outside here or in the neighborhood or at a neighbor friend’s yard than any nearby park.

[CBad]

It’s hugely important to our family but everyone is different. My kids are always outside and they’d much rather be outside here or in the neighborhood or at a neighbor friend’s yard than any nearby park.

[CBad]

It’s hugely important to our family but everyone is different. My kids are always outside and they’d much rather be outside here or in the neighborhood or at a neighbor friend’s yard than any nearby park.

[CBad]

It’s hugely important to our family but everyone is different. My kids are always outside and they’d much rather be outside here or in the neighborhood or at a neighbor friend’s yard than any nearby park.

[svelte]

[quote=AN]
[When I say yard, I don’t strictly mean real grass. You can go artificial grass or even concrete. Just a fenced in place for the kids to play where you can keep an eye on them while you’re inside makes a huge deal. My toddler wants to go out in the yard everyday. I live 2-3 blocks away from the park, yet I’m using my yard much much more than I use the park. Carrying all the toys he wants to play with to park would be a huge pain. I can’t picture doing that everyday.[/quote]

Would have to agree. I remember many a Saturday mowing the grass and thinking my kids used this yard ZERO this week, so I’m mowing unused space.

However, when they did need a place to release a lil pent up energy, I was sure glad it was there.

And though I didn’t want one, I was unanimously outvoted on whether to get a dog, 3 to my lonely 1. If you get a dog, well there is a real need for a back yard…and a dog will use it each and every day! 🙂

So I agree with AN’s perspective. A smallish yard (20-30 ft deep is fine) with a large park within one or two blocks in case they want to do baseball or football or something requiring oodles of space with all windows out of range.

Yes, people can get by with kids in NYC and SF with no back yard, but I don’t think that’s optimal for kids. Just my perspective.

[svelte]

[quote=AN]
[When I say yard, I don’t strictly mean real grass. You can go artificial grass or even concrete. Just a fenced in place for the kids to play where you can keep an eye on them while you’re inside makes a huge deal. My toddler wants to go out in the yard everyday. I live 2-3 blocks away from the park, yet I’m using my yard much much more than I use the park. Carrying all the toys he wants to play with to park would be a huge pain. I can’t picture doing that everyday.[/quote]

Would have to agree. I remember many a Saturday mowing the grass and thinking my kids used this yard ZERO this week, so I’m mowing unused space.

However, when they did need a place to release a lil pent up energy, I was sure glad it was there.

And though I didn’t want one, I was unanimously outvoted on whether to get a dog, 3 to my lonely 1. If you get a dog, well there is a real need for a back yard…and a dog will use it each and every day! 🙂

So I agree with AN’s perspective. A smallish yard (20-30 ft deep is fine) with a large park within one or two blocks in case they want to do baseball or football or something requiring oodles of space with all windows out of range.

Yes, people can get by with kids in NYC and SF with no back yard, but I don’t think that’s optimal for kids. Just my perspective.

[svelte]

[quote=AN]
[When I say yard, I don’t strictly mean real grass. You can go artificial grass or even concrete. Just a fenced in place for the kids to play where you can keep an eye on them while you’re inside makes a huge deal. My toddler wants to go out in the yard everyday. I live 2-3 blocks away from the park, yet I’m using my yard much much more than I use the park. Carrying all the toys he wants to play with to park would be a huge pain. I can’t picture doing that everyday.[/quote]

Would have to agree. I remember many a Saturday mowing the grass and thinking my kids used this yard ZERO this week, so I’m mowing unused space.

However, when they did need a place to release a lil pent up energy, I was sure glad it was there.

And though I didn’t want one, I was unanimously outvoted on whether to get a dog, 3 to my lonely 1. If you get a dog, well there is a real need for a back yard…and a dog will use it each and every day! 🙂

So I agree with AN’s perspective. A smallish yard (20-30 ft deep is fine) with a large park within one or two blocks in case they want to do baseball or football or something requiring oodles of space with all windows out of range.

Yes, people can get by with kids in NYC and SF with no back yard, but I don’t think that’s optimal for kids. Just my perspective.

[svelte]

[quote=AN]
[When I say yard, I don’t strictly mean real grass. You can go artificial grass or even concrete. Just a fenced in place for the kids to play where you can keep an eye on them while you’re inside makes a huge deal. My toddler wants to go out in the yard everyday. I live 2-3 blocks away from the park, yet I’m using my yard much much more than I use the park. Carrying all the toys he wants to play with to park would be a huge pain. I can’t picture doing that everyday.[/quote]

Would have to agree. I remember many a Saturday mowing the grass and thinking my kids used this yard ZERO this week, so I’m mowing unused space.

However, when they did need a place to release a lil pent up energy, I was sure glad it was there.

And though I didn’t want one, I was unanimously outvoted on whether to get a dog, 3 to my lonely 1. If you get a dog, well there is a real need for a back yard…and a dog will use it each and every day! 🙂

So I agree with AN’s perspective. A smallish yard (20-30 ft deep is fine) with a large park within one or two blocks in case they want to do baseball or football or something requiring oodles of space with all windows out of range.

Yes, people can get by with kids in NYC and SF with no back yard, but I don’t think that’s optimal for kids. Just my perspective.

[Author]

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