Over the years it has become more and more common to put up tall fences between our own back gardens and those of our neighbours. But a group of people living in Philadelphia in the US have come up with an altogether better idea that not only benefits them, it benefits their children and young babies as well.
There are six houses in a row, and every one of them has a small back yard that a lot of the residents didn’t use. Some of them are young parents so they were finding it tricky to socialise as they were watching their kids all the time too.
But things are very different now in a lot of ways. And this is why we are sharing this story with you – because it could inspire other people in this country as well.
What they did was to take down all the walls and fences that separated their gardens. So now, instead of having six little ones they all have one big space they can – and do – share. This is great particularly because it enables the parents to socialise more than they might be able to otherwise. Apparently they all have parties and barbecues during the summer, and the fact that there are so many adults present means that babysitting requirements are much easier to handle.
Baby monitors that are good enough to be taken out into the garden and used are also in evidence whenever one of their regular get togethers takes place. Clearly all the neighbours get on very well, and it never seems to be a problem making sure the children are well looked after if a parent has to go out for some reason. Also the presence of baby monitors means that even the little ones who are too young to enjoy the barbecue are looked after safely.
This is an interesting story for parents to read among others. We could all learn a lot from this idea of generating a community within our own homes, and taking down the fences between our gardens. How many new parents are desperate for a night out but can’t because they have to look after their young ones and no one else is available to sit in for them?
This idea in Philadelphia has been seen to be a great success. The parents are undoubtedly less stressed out because they are getting some wonderful social time to themselves – even if it is in their own back garden! Evidently they have these gatherings three or four times a week, and it clearly makes a difference to all their lives.
It is clear though that not everyone could enjoy it if baby monitors had not been invented. They are there to keep that connection between baby and parent safe and sound, and since they are only in the garden they can pop upstairs and check that baby is okay at any time. What better solution could there be?