It’s that delightful time of year again: playset season! A season when countless parents prepare to invest thousands in backyard jungle gyms for their little ones. For a long time, I managed to dodge this suburban rite of passage. Until one fateful day, I caved.
I can’t really pin the blame on my kids. They never pestered me for a playset, and I’m not even sure they truly wanted one. No, it was me who craved it. Every time we were outside, my kids would roam aimlessly before retreating back inside to the couch. I wanted to shout, “Go play!” but to what? Our backyard lacked a pool, swings, or even a decent paved area. For the sake of my sanity and their entertainment, I decided we needed a playset.
I envisioned sun-soaked summer afternoons on a swing set, laughter drifting on a warm breeze. But I had one condition: if I was going to fork over a small fortune for this playset, my kids were going to use it—constantly. The model we had our eyes on was massive, complete with a house-like enclosure and picnic table. It was practically a full-sized dwelling for two small children. I even fantasized about wiring it for electricity and plumbing, so I might hardly see them again.
However, reality quickly dashed my dreams once I started researching playsets. I began my hunt long before spring, hoping to snag a good deal during the off-season. Spoiler alert: there are no good deals to be found in the world of playsets. I’m still unsure if the materials are made of rare wood or if the screws are dipped in gold, but the prices are anything but reasonable. A friend suggested looking at used playsets, claiming you could find one for half the price. That sounded perfect!
Unfortunately, my husband wasn’t on board with the idea. He was firmly against a playset, fearing it would ruin his perfectly manicured lawn. But if I was adamant about acknowledging our children’s need for toys, he insisted on a top-tier model that would sit proudly on his grass.
I pressed on, determined to find a pre-loved playset that would satisfy both of us. I managed to locate a decent used option big enough for two school-aged kids, complete with a rock wall, for about $1,000. Victory was in my sights! But then my husband pointed out that it was located outside our tri-state area and we didn’t have a vehicle capable of transporting it. With a heavy heart, I dropped my quest for a used playset.
For anyone who hasn’t shopped for a playset, let me tell you, it’s a daunting experience. There are countless designs, heights, and configurations to choose from, and all the fun extras come at an additional cost. Sure, you could grab a basic wooden frame, but then your kids would only be able to look at it longingly, like a huge sawhorse.
After weeks of online comparison shopping, I finally spotted my dream swing set. It had everything I’d envisioned. The only hiccup? I couldn’t afford it. I revisited the playset repeatedly, hoping for a sale. Then, mid-summer, I caught wind of a promotion that seemed too good to be true: free gangplank weekend. I was sold!
That weekend felt like a huge victory, and I thought the searching and planning was finally at an end. But then the sales associate presented the total: just under $2,000. And this was during free gangplank weekend!
Fast forward almost a year: the playset now occupies a space in our yard, but it hasn’t been played with nearly as much as I had anticipated. I can’t say we’ve recouped our investment yet, though a few features, like the swings and trapeze bar, have proven worthwhile. However, the kids still wander the backyard, blissfully ignoring the fort—the most expensive element of the entire playset. It stands empty, save for the occasional bird or squirrel. Maybe I should consider installing a TV in there…
For more insights into family life and home insemination options, check out this link or learn about couples’ fertility journeys from trusted sources. Additionally, Hopkins Medicine is an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, while the playset seemed like a fantastic investment, the reality has been a little less exciting than expected. As my kids continue their aimless wanderings, I can’t help but wonder if a simple swingset would have sufficed.