To not understand suburban/domestic bliss

[saltnpepa]

I am beginning to wonder if I am the only person that doesn't aspire to the suburban/domestic dream of a detached modern house with a double garage, manicured lawn and 2 weeks a year in Tenerife. It seems adverts on TV and pretty much everywhere sell this dream, this image of modern family life, but it leaves me cold at best and fills me with dread at worst. Surely there's more to life than that?

IKEA on a Saturday afternoon, now that is something to truly dread.

^^ YY to this!

IKEA on a Saturday afternoon should be illegal...

IKEA on a Saturday afternoon

^ Well, yes, this. But on the other hand let's face the fact that you can never fill your suburban box with enough^ expedit. Mwahahahaha.

It depends on your experiences doesn't it? I moved around so much when I was young and had moved 17 in the space of 3 years. Clothes in a bin bag and move on for a couple of months etc. Didn't bother me at the time and is now my idea of hell on earth. I live in an old house in a small village, two DCs, I'm a TA, have a dog and a nice social life. You'd have to drag me out of here kicking and screaming as I realised about 10 years ago that I like feeling settled. I feel pretty fucking lucky now and how others live their life doesn't interest me at all.
Whatwilbursays,in a different way for each person,I expect

How old are you op?
(Before I judge)

OP what you see isn't the sum total of people's lives.

You may look at my life- living in a quiet suberb two cars, annual holiday. But really you don't know much. You are making assumptions.
Living in a stable home in a good area is pleasant ( I grew up in a tough council sink) and I know which I would prefer to bring up my own kids.

And what is it you do that is so "whacky" anyway? I would love to know.

You may be surprised at some of the lives in apparent quiet suburbs.

I don't think its the house as such is love a semi detached

It's what it represents , I know what your getting at! And yes I'd find that a bit dull too! Iv always been described as unconventional and I guess I am and I like that

I am guessing you are young OP.

I have been a hellraiser- done and seen far too much, I have seen the whole of the moon.
Didn't have my first child until nearly 40, after a few decades of living life to the full, travelling the world, feast and famine.

An old chinese proverb says may you live in uninteresting times by way of a blessing.

I like conventional things, like good spelling and grammar

So I'm too poor for the semi detached dream, no complaints as I love my flat, but does this make me kooky and unconventional or just poor?

This thread makes it look as if everyone on Mumsnet has lived a rampaging, experimentally cliff-edge sort of life before settling into one version of adland paradise or another

Few of the people I know have. Sure, everyone has adventures. But most people have them in their leisure time, while building up the stability & security etc.

Shake, I'm sure this makes us mysterious Nobodies With a Hidden Past.
Or something.

What is your dream then op? It just doesn't sound very gracious of you to criticise a lifestyle that is completely out of reach for so many people.

Just because people aspire for a stable, comfortably-off standard of living, doesn't mean they aren't aware that there's more to life. Also, no, I can guarantee that you are not the only person who doesn't aspire for that.

.

Haven't read the rest of the thread only the OP. I don't aspire to the suburban life and never have. I much prefer my farm house, no neighbours, no noise and to watch my horses from the kitchen window. We don't have a garage or manicured lawns nor go to Tenerife (my idea of hell). We prefer a villa with a pool or Sandals adult only resorts.

I'm guessing OP is a unique and special snowflake, and likes to imagine herself spending a month on a yoga retreat in in Goa or trekking through Kashmir for her holidays, because she's not like the rest of us plebs. She also has wacky hair and a meaningful tattoo or two.

None of your suburban living death for OP, she's way too unique for that.

I had an awful chaotic childhood and moved home/family 8 times in my first 8 years. For me there was nothing more important before becoming a parent than putting down roots so that my children grow up in a solid, dependable, consistent environment.

We holiday often and are fortunate enough to travel with the children to some lovely places. We've a holiday home abroad and a lovely big house with a beautiful garden and, god almighty, a double garage with clean cars parked in front. We are both fully aware that there is more to life than the lawn. There's the hanging baskets to think of, too.

It might give you the horrors. That's fine. My life is perfect for me. Yours is perfect for you. Difference is I wouldn't be so rude as to judge yours.

I'm forrin, have lived, worked and settled in several countries / continents and am now living the dream in semi rural Scotland, with DH, two toddlers (boy and girl) and I even drive a Volvo XC90.

I'm contented and I can hear myself think (when the toddlers let me).

OP can't be that young...

I have the rural idyll. Very dull I am sure but after a childhood that was insecure Iove what I have created for my family.

LOADS of people feel like you saltnpepa. LOADS. It's kind of the norm to want to break out actually.

I reckon you should watch less tv though, I have no idea what ad you are even talking about, and I don't feel like anyone's selling that 'dream' to me.

Also, each to their own...you shouldn't care what other people want, it's a waste of time - just do your thing.

OP should go tramping round India or Thailand with the other million or so special snowflakes eschewing suburban domesticity for now

If you've had a kiddie OP you must be quite domesticated anyhow, as in, up to your eyes in nappies and the like...