Playpens - did you use one and until what age?

[ArtStudent]

I never thought I would use a playpen as I thought they were cruel but I have found it almost a necessity in order to be able to get anything done around the house. DS seems quite happy for up to an hour at a time and has at times even gone over to it and reached his arms up to ask to go in there!

Just interested in other people's viewpoints and length of time of use at any one time and what age you have used one until.

I used one instead of a stairgate when dd was crawling but not able to go down stairs safely so from around the age of 10 months to about 13 months.

quite a short window really, sold it on ebay in the end as not easily collapsible and took up a lot fo space.

Invaluable for that short period tho.

I used one sometimes. For example when I wanted to hang out the washing for example (left it by the open back door while I went into the garden with washing) and when answering the door or wanting to drain some veg in the kitchen (carrying hot saucepan).

I'm not sure how people manage without them for the odd minute or longer.