Home is where family is. A home is a place of rest and solitude. But to your child, it’s their first point of exploration. It’s where your child learns how to navigate the world for the first time.
It is your responsibility as their parent to offer that for them and to provide them a safe space to run, bounce about, and do what children do best: play.
If you’re searching for methods to make your backyard patio more accommodating to this, here are some suggestions.
Covers for Table Corners
Kids aren’t the best at staying aware of their surroundings, especially when they’re having fun. This leads them to knock things off to the ground, accidentally break something, or even hurt themselves. With your kid running around, falling and hitting things is almost inevitable. In case it gets to that, be sure to cover the sharp corners of your patio table. Cover any edges of your furniture for their safety. It also helps to remind them to be careful when playing.
Install Railings to Your Stairs
Balance is an intricate process that involves the brain, ears, eyes, and other parts of the body. Since children’s motor skills are still developing and their attention span is short, balance can sometimes be hit or miss. Having something to hold on to helps them climb up and down the stairs safely and with confidence. Railings are, after all, are more than decorative. They’re a preventive measure, too. Consult with a decking expert to help you with these specifications.
Plant or Install Grass
Playtime is almost always physical. Rolling, stomping, and jumping around could lead to falling and slipping. Although that’s expected, it’s best to prepare for potentially injurious outcomes. If you haven’t yet, it’s time to plant or install grass in your backyard. It adds to the beauty of the landscape and serves as a soft landing during playtime.
Fence Out a Portion of Your Garden
As much as you want to teach your kid the value of planting, it’s best to fence or gate a portion of your garden (for now, at least). This is to keep them safe from thorny plants and toxic chemicals (i.e., pesticides), if there are any. The fence helps keep your plants safe, too, especially fruit-bearing ones. This protects them from your kid as well. Children are curious — so curious that they might be the ones to kill the cat (or, in this case, your plants).
Always Lock Your Shed
Again, children are naturally curious beings. Their curiosity usually starts at the age of four. If they’re not asking questions, they take it upon themselves to explore. As the parent, it’s your job to encourage this curiosity and to provide a safe space for them to practice it. Keep your shed locked at all times, especially when there are heavy and/or sharp garden tools inside.
Keep Your Tub or Pool Covered
When not in use, it’s best to cover any small bodies of water (e.g., jacuzzi or swimming pool) in your backyard. Swimming is most fun when it’s safe and supervised by yourself or another trusted adult.
If you do have a pool, it’s a good idea to establish some house rules surrounding it, such as no running around it or no swimming without the supervision of an adult.
Install a CCTV or Baby Monitor With Camera
Nowadays, CCTVs and the like have become easier to navigate. Moreover, some manufacturers enable you to access footage from your phone.
Having eyes on your kid, especially when you are inside the house busy doing something, makes it more flexible and convenient. Being a parent is enough to make you busy, all the more if you’re working, too. Giving your child the space to play while keeping an eye on them from the inside is a great way to still do other tasks you need to complete inside the house. Besides, it doesn’t hurt to have extra eyes.
The Bottom Line
Some folks wish to build a home and create a family. Perhaps this is your aim as well, as you try to make your house more homely. Creating a space for you and your family to relax, play, and spend quality time together is something worth striving toward. Life is, after all, about the memories and relationships one can form and cherish.
As you embark on this journey, do it with care and intention. You want to build new memories, but you also want to make sure it’s a safe environment for your child. A secure place in which your child can grow and enjoy their childhood.
