Not Safe For Babies

House-hunting after infertility.

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My husband and I approached the house on Yachtsman Way with little expectation. It sat on a cul-de-sac and felt so inherently family-friendly that my stomach churned. I could picture block parties and dads teaching their kids how to ride bikes. I imagined playdate proposals, coordinated yard sales, and neighbors chatting over picket fences. Before stepping inside, I decided it probably wouldn’t be for us—a couple in our forties with no kids.

Then we walked through the striking red door and saw a custom floating staircase that led to an exposed loft. The vibe was open, bright, modern … and incredibly unsafe for children. The lack of stair risers meant a wobbly toddler could slip through or get stuck between the solid teak steps. The minimally railed loft was about as safe as an exposed cliff.

And for the first time,…