Hi Wattle

I agree with what others have said. There are many advantages. I'm speaking from the experience of my parents but don't think it would have changed.

The advantages are that if you have to stop and deal with the kids for a minute/hour/day you generally have the ability to do so without having to justify it to others.

Sherie is right baout a good fence. Farms a a great place for kids to grow up but can also be really dangerous.

I would recommend spending some money on a good playpen (like the Phil and Ted's one that has a shade cover on it as well but is really lite so you can move them easily). As that way when you have a little one you can set it up and have them near you but safe while you are doind things like planting or pruning or other berry related activities. Mum used to have a folding wooden one that she called "the pig pen" and if we went fencing or to the cattle yards or smilar and she knew that we would be there for ages it went too and we went in it (until we were old enough to climb over it)

HTH
Taff