Kids playing in front garden, opinions?

[bbyj2019]

Moved into new house front and back are a jungle, front will be the least time consuming to sort in time for summer (no chance of both being child friendly by summer) what’s the social etiquette of kids playing on the front, swimming pools etc on a front? Am I crazy to think it could work

AIBU: in using my front garden for ‘summer outdoor family time’, is it something others frown on?

There's nothing technically wrong with it though it will raise some eyebrows from the neighbours, and first impressions count. It really depends what sort of relationship you want with them going forward.

If one garden could be "child friendly" and the other not, maybe start with the back. People tend to forgive an untidy front garden more readily than the sound of children playing - the garden is quieter, after all.

Given we’re in lockdown if you have a back garden that’s where your dc should be playing.

In normal years I’d assume toys left in the front garden would be stolen, and drunks would have a paddle and puke in the pool.

One street I lived on, this was perfectly normal. The back gardens had a tendency to flooding, were very shaded, and easily turned into mudbaths. The front gardens were sunny, flat, and massive. The front gardens were usable most of the year. The driveways were useful for bikes, scooters etc.

We have kids stuff in both the front and back gardens, but it's common here. Can you take a queue from other houses nearby?

Ultimately I'd do whatever you need to at the current time, but aim to have noiser stuff at the back when you can.

Not just in lockdown dp and I are both keyworkers so gardening will have to be as and when, when I say jungle I genuinely mean jungle previous owners definitely didn’t have a green finger

I would use the back garden.

Mix cues of neighbours I’m just a generally socially conscious person and wouldn’t like the thought of people judging

2 under 2 for context nothing spectacular garden toy wise

Just clear a small area in back garden to start. I wouldn't use front it's not private enough for me.

On my street this would be highly unusual and definitely raise (disapproving) eyebrows. In other areas it's the norm. I pass one close where the front gardens are treated communally and the green communal area out front is full of toys left out all summer. I would hate it, personally, but the inhabitants look as though they thrive on it.

Really depends on the layout and size of the garden, and how close to your neighbours you are.

If it's a tiny open plan patch of grass and you've got marauding shriekers YABU. If you've got a decent sized area with hedges/fences, you can keep your kids relatively under control and you remember the neighbours are about and you're considerate YANBU.

This is something people care about?

If the front garden is more suitable, use it. If anyone thinks there is something wrong with it, that's their issue.

This is something people care about?

Yes, some people really care about their home and neighbourhood.

Agree with barbaraofseville do what's best for your kids and yourselves, if the fronts more suitable for you then decision made .

My 2 and the 3 next door are currently out the front doing a fitness routine(whilst maintaining a safe distance). They are all over 10 though so able to chat from the mats and not get close! It is common here and it's really lovely that they all play together 😁.

Up to you I suppose. Presumably the front garden is not visible to anyone walking past or not very, laid back from the road. A fitness regime is not the same as playing and socialising, that would be a definite 'nono' from most, the back garden is for that - keeping a distance from those next door but talking over fence maybe.

Go for it, give them a time limit though at the end of which, get them indoors or let them go to the back garden.

Let them play where is best for them.

As long as they're not making noise past seven, it really doesn't matter

Ours use both the front and back gardens here (as well as playing on the street under normal circumstances) and no-ones ever said anything. What's the point in having outdoor space if you're not going to use it?

PS - to add, these are extraordinary times, we have to do what we can within the constraints advised. However no paddling pools at the front, please! I've never seen or even heard of that in the best of times.

You might lower the tone @twozerotwozero having horrible things like toys in the front garden...

Won't someone think of the house prices???

at would be a definite 'nono' from most

A nono from Hyacinth Bucket maybe.

@nomdefuckit I don't think the tone of my neighbourhood can get much lower: I live in the roughest end of a huge council estate. At least the toys in my garden are working and in one piece!

...wouldn’t like the thought of people judging

comes onto Mumsnet

@damthatanxiety in real life, hence coming to Mumsnet for opinions