To be so upset about our living situation?

Great suggestions above. Levelling off the ground with a uniform surface will improve it greatly.
Obviously all allowing for finances when they are right, and also getting creative with the existing room lay out:
Knocking through the back wall and installing double doors to get the maximum light and the feel of an extra room.
To gain extra space if your backyard door opens into the the space reverse the entire and open out if allowed or install a stylish, sturdy door on recessed tracks - you gain back space of around a metre squared.

I'm just spitballing as the yanks say, You have a lot to work with and great surrounding as well. :)

We did 2 years in a flat with no garden, then 2.5 years in a maisonette with a small yard. Neither had parking within half a mile. We had plenty of fresh air, you have plenty of countryside to access. It's not your ideal but make the best of the wonderful countryside that you don't have to cut or weed and save for the future. Just remember that his friends will have similar houses and will be used to enjoying the countryside.

OP I’m thinking you might be upset about something else and displacing it into the garden issue?

We live in a back to back. All the kids play in the street plus there is a park in walking distance. Yes it would be nice to have a garden but we can’t afford it.

I used to be of the mindset that everything has to be perfect to work but as I've got older I can see this isn't the case. Be grateful for the small things, some people are bringing children up in flats or hostels

I understand that feeling OP. Slightly different in that I have a huge garden (that brings problems in itself - becomes an overgrown mess if left for any amount of time!) I have a lovely big house with stunning views, mortgage free and I HATE it here :( I know how fortunate we are but try as I may (and I really do try to count my blessings) I can't find happiness here.

It's where my DH grew up so he's happy as a clam but it's opposite of my childhood and I can't help but feel I'm doing my children a disservice bringing them up here. It's rural, isolated, boring and the nearest town (where they will be going to school) is honestly a bit of a dump. I feel so stuck with no financial means to change things.

Sorry to hijack your thread OP, but I think you're getting a hard time by some posters so wanted to offer solidarity.

I get where you're coming from OP, but you do need a metaphorical slap!

I grew up in a large detached house in the suburbs with a huge garden. DH grew up in army accommodation and never had a room to himself as he had to share with his brother.

We bought our first house about 13 years ago, it's a small three bed terrace with a yard just like yours. We never intended to stay here longterm, but here we are, three kids later, still here.

I have felt like you, but ultimately, we have a roof over our heads, money to spend on what we want, and a large park across the road. When moaning to my mum she reminded me that both her and my dad grew up in flats in London - having a garden is not the be-all and end-all.

Adjust your expectations. How did your DH grow up? What about cousins, friends? Did they all grow up in a spacious house with a garden, or did they vary?

PS we've just bought a set of garden chairs for our yard and go out regularly to the park to ride bikes. It's nice.

Hi OP: I'm inferring that your name is a clue to where you're now living. It's a beautiful part of the world, and there's a lot to like about it. I'm not so far away from you, and I like to visit that bit of Yorkshire as often as I possibly can.

You might want to have a peek at the Attic 24 blog - she lives in a house similar to yours and it looks beautiful. Look after yourself, and that lovely boy of yours.

I know the area (or thereabouts) and those homes are lovely. Get yourself on Pinterest to see what can be done with a small yard to make it flexible for growing, dining, playing... something like the ikea fold-down garden table would be good, coupled with a trellis of climbing roses. I know it’s easier to let the children loose out back rather than get dressed/packed for going out, plus possibly driving out etc, but get into the habit now and you will make the most of your amazing settings! Help yourself by keeping a basic bag always packed by front door, and decent outerwear on the hook... look to what groups are about, the plus side is you and your child will get to socialise more when out!

I can empathise - for the first 3-4 years of DS’s life we lived in tiny terraced/flats and I kept thinking of my own childhood with huuuuge garden, weekly beach trips etc (or comparing us to friends with large semi-detacheds) and all it did was make things worse than they really were.

Your childhood sounds lovely.

But didn't you feel like you missed out, because you didn't have a stream across the road, and deer and sheep grazing opposite you, and a park to run around in....?

Your post reminded me of people that feel guilty they only have one child, because their own childhood was defined by siblings. Only children are always quick to point out that their childhoods were equally happy, in different ways.

And so it will be for your son. He'll just build different memories.

You can fit a wall hanging airer on the back wall of your house (I had one at old house through laziness - I wanted it right by the back door!).

You can use the walls for planters that he can help you tend, and put out a sand/water table. A small barrel pond with some fish. Get a pet cat - they're better than rabbits (I have both)! It's enough space for a dog too - the upside of only having a small toilet area is it's easy to keep sanitary. If you had a bigger garden and the dog did a stealth poo - bleck... I liked the previous poster's idea of making the gate a chalkboard using paint - though the floor can be drawn on with chalks.

It will all be OK. More than OK. I know that part of the world well and it's beautiful - a wonderful place to live. But you do sound quite low, my lovely. Be kind to yourself. Think of everything you ARE offering your child. He has the world's most beautiful playground right on his doorstep.

Oh and maintaining a large garden with a baby to look after is very difficult as we have found.

Guys. Because someone has more than others doesn't mean they can't be unhappy about aspects of it.

That yard could be a lovely courtyard style garden with very little work and it’s more than big enough for a couple of folding clothes airers.

I second that! You could most likely even fir something cool for DC and fold down wall mounted table with couple of folding chairs. It can be put away when space is needed.bit of colour with wall mounted colourful planters and maybe a sand pit you can cover when not in use.

It’s all relative. If you grew up with a large garden and enjoyed it (as I did) I can understand why a yard would seem inadequate dispite there being lots of lovely things to do nearby. Your son will not have known a life without a garden so he won’t miss it but will probably love the park/stream

That yard could be stunning. You need to get yourself on Pinterest.

I also have anxiety and depression, so I often compare my life to others/feel guilty for no real reason.

That just screams out from your posts. The house is lovely, the yard is lovely. I know because that's basically my gran's house and I loved it. And your son will love it because it's his home.

I and my nana had a yard like that. She build small border gardens with old red bricks and compost and planted tiny plants and climbing roses. It was one of the most wonderful places on earth when I was little. At nearly 50 I can still see it in my mind.
You son is wee, everything will feel big to him for a long time. You can make that yard a magical place.

Took a look at the garden. I’d clean up the walls, and then on the outside I’d drill in some old wood planters and grow herbs/tomatoes/lettuce in them. On top of the wall, I’d add some lighting and have more planters. I’d probably paint the inner door of the gate in blackboard paint, and drill in a lidded pot for chalk.

I’d ensure the paving is even within the garden itself, to reduce a trip hazard and make things look a little neater, removing all of the weeds/moss. On one side of the gate, you could have a neat little cafe table with two chairs, some pretty lanterns either side. Perhaps some scented plants in this area? On the other side, there is probably room for a kids slide, or you could make a water/sand table with lids and underside toy storage!

Pet wise, maybe a little dog would get you out exploring more of the surrounding environment. I personally think rabbits are little shits, because they bite me, so I might be biased! I hope this helps a little bit

Millions and millions of children grow up with far less than you are providing for your son. They often have full and happy lives.

In the nicest possible way - there is NOTHING wrong with your home and surroundings. The problem is in your head. You are allowing comparison to be the thief of joy. Anxiety is telling you that this isn't good enough when it is, in fact, an incredibly rich and varied area in which to raise a child.

I opened this thread expecting to hear about someone who is facing eviction. Instead it turns out that you own a home, have a healthy happy child, room for another child/ren, don't have to work full time, and there are loads of areas around you to explore. Stop listening to your anxiety, and start really enjoying the many, many joys that are in your life. Count your blessings - they are many.

You are panicking, which is really common to do.

Foldable clothes dryers will fit in your yard. I much prefer them as if it randomly starts to rain it’s easier to pull them inside.

Get yourself a nice picnic blanket and start to see the park as an extension of your home.

When it was just me and my two girls we lived in a flat opposite a park. We had picnics regularly. The even had a small paddling pool and a little foldable chute (when they were too wee for the big park equipment) that I’d take over on a nice day. Yes it’s a bit more organising than just in the garden, and their paddling pool only ever had a small amount of water in it, but they still loved it.

That has the makings of really pretty little yard. The ivy is already nice. Could you give the stonework a jet wash and replace the tired pots in the corner with some new planters/greenery. You could repaint the gate with one of the garden colour type ranges to make it a bit prettier.

You can definitely dry some washing by fixing something to the wall, that’s a great start. And you could stand a clothes maiden outside too from time to time.

OP, I do get you.

I grew up in the countryside, our garden was an acre and a half and now I live in London with one similar size to the picture you put up.

The way you described it, it sounds really lovely. You could do something with the space you have and you've got a beautiful area around you to make the most of.

Other PP's are right. Lots of children grow up in tower blocks and without gardens. Yes, it's not what you grew up with but that doesn't mean your child won't have the fun and memories that you had.

We have a huge garden, but honestly we spend most of our time at the local park (3 minute walk) or on nature walks along the nearby canal etc.

Our garden doesn’t hold the same appeal for the kids as being out and about, especially playing with other kids.

Enjoy your beautiful surroundings. The first thing I thought when reading your post was that you sound like you have PND (you aren’t seeing clearly the positives from the negatives).

A happy home doesn’t hang solely on the size of the property or plot. Hopefully your son will grow up loved and warm and enjoy an abundance of nature on his doorstep.

Get a grip. I grew up in inner city council flats for my entire childhood.

You panic-bought an unsuitable home because you were pregnant. There's your first mistake.

You know just because you were expecting a house doesn't mean you have to rush to buy a house?

I live in a flat with DC. Don't miss not having a garden. We live opposite a big park and spend a lot of time there.

That yard could be a lovely courtyard style garden with very little work and it’s more than big enough for a couple of folding clothes airers.