Define “Backyard”

Nathan and I have occasionally struggled with the idea of depriving Miles of a “backyard” childhood.  Growing up in Iowa, our parents afforded us the opportunity to run wild – outside in the wild open spaces!  We expended  thousands of calories at will, developed imaginations and worked all large muscle groups – ONLY coming inside for meals and our “when the street lights turn on” curfews...  Growing up, we likely treated our backyard as a right rather than the luxury that it was. Great memories – how could we keep Miles from making those same memories?!

Spending sometime in New York, and now Chicago, we’ve realized that the definition of backyard is a little different.  Kids don’t mope around or whine incessantly because they don’t have a backyard.  They don’t know any different!  (Honestly – if they knew what they were actually, they might whine a little!)  City backyard are what you make of them.  City backyards have no limits.  Finally, city backyards require family bonding rather than wild independence. (Well, I guess we could let Miles explore the outdoors alone – but how safe is that?!)

Here’s a couple of our very recent attempts to define a backyard.

Situation #1:

So….. Miles has a new bike that he LOVES to ride.  There’s plenty of room to ride the bike in our actual apartment and even MORE room to ride the bike in the hallways of the building and on the roof deck.  We take the bike outside when we walk Cooper and can load the bike up in the MAGNUM-sized car to choose any destination.  Today, Miles tried to take the bike outside himself.

 

A 5ft x 10ft balcony is not a decent yard. Backyard FAIL!

[Even so, this little daredevil doesn’t seem to mind]

Situation #2:

Yesterday, Nathan, Miles and I loaded up the car to head 7 miles east to the Lake Shore Trail.  I needed to run 9 miles as part of my training, and the boys found some sand toys to make use of one of the beaches along the path. Given the fact that I’m only able to keep a 10 min/mile pace for the long runs, I was a little worried that Nate would have a hard time occupying Miles for an hour and a half….  Between making and destroying castles, making and destroying castle cities, trying to make a small lake for the castles, and burying feet – Miles NEVER tired of his day at the beach WITH dad!!

 

[Wow… What does your backyard look like?!]

Who needs a green backyard with a fence and a swingset when you’ve got quality one-on-one time with DAD in a location of your choosing?!?!  Their backyard was wherever they wanted it to be…

Sure, this weekend the boys chose a beach. Next weekend, it could be the natural history museum (packed with dinosaurs), the Shedd Aquarium, the dog beaches and well-manicured playsets, or the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Luckily for Miles, he will not miss out entirely on the “classic” backyard experience.  Both set of grandparents still have PERFECT Iowa backyards for Miles to enjoy on weekend visits!

 

He’s a pretty lucky, well-loved kid – if you ask me!  He’s not missing out on much…..

[I know you didn’t ask, but its my blog - chocked full of my opinions - so you’ll just have to deal]

Posted in: Chicago,Kelly,Miles,Nathan