Does having children make you happier??

MilesOfSmiles

I saw this article about kids and happiness and found it fascinating (and a bit worried to bring children into our relationship, to be honest!) What are your thoughts????

 http://www.newsweek.com/id/143792?GT1=43002

 

Mrs.Darah

My DH and I would both say yes.

Inlove05

In some aspects of our life, yes = )  But it also makes me worry more for example- Brianna's well being- eating enough, taken care of well, raising her to the best of our ability etc etc etc... and the dreaded financial worry!!  = )

EastCoastFamily

I *love* being a mother.  I have never been happier, in fact!!  My marriage definitely isn't suffering, either.  I feel that Alyssa has actually brought us closer.  She gives everything such a different perspective.  Really interesting article!!

CrissyBoop

I too love being a Mom, it's still so early to say how it effects our happiness in our marriage, b/c we are still pretty new to parenthood, but definately changes things, and for the good!  I love seeing Rob interact with Jack he is such a great Daddy!  To see that alone makes me happy!  And don;t even get me started on Jack's smile, I guess you could say, I am pretty darn happy!

MrsKimberlyD

i would definately have to say yes. and im sure don would too.  its completely undescribable.  there are no words that can truely explain it either.  but ya, kids definately make you happier.  im not saying there arent times when theyre testing you but overall its just an experience like no other.

PenguinGirl06

For us, we are def. the happiest we have ever been and closer in our relationship. ?But, there is stress sometimes where there wasn't before. ?We've learned how to balance things and work together when it comes to Ben and it has only made us stronger. ?We couldn't imagine our life without him. ?So, I would say yes, I am happier as a Mom. ?It's the best "job" I have ever had. ?: )

CrissyBoop

i meant to add our marriage was pretty happy to begin with...it came out kinda sounding the exact oposite lol!  so not the case!

mrs.magoo

In some aspects yes, it does make you happier - but it is probably the hardest, most stressful job Tom and I have ever had...it was so hard to bring a stranger into our lives - but now we are beginning to see the joy a child brings...see my siggy for an example

But that being said...I certainly do miss my "old life" every now and then...I joke with my mother about not knowing if we will go for a second child and then I say: "aw, what the heck, might as well, we already ruined our lives" and she jokes back about how carefree Tom and I look in our old photos together.... 

Nwlyweds

I would most certainly without a doubt say yes, it does make us both happier and our relationship so much better and stronger. DH and I made something together, that is part of both of us, and every time I look at Maya I always think of DH. I swear I fall in love with him all over again every time I see one of his gestures or expressions in Maya. Although we had to give up a lot of the things we used to have (going to dinner all the time, partying, long vacations to tropical islands etc) I wouldn't trade it for the world. Maya brings new adventures and fun into our lives.

WideSmileMama

The writer of that article was probably not a parent themselves, I'd have to guess!

I don't think that "happier" is necessarily the right word to use to describe how I have changed, personally, since having children.  I've always been a pretty darned happy person, LOL!  Nauseatingly so, some would say, even in the face of some pretty trying times.  I think I'll always be a pretty happy person no matter what happens in my life because it is better than the alternative, really!

However (and this is just for me, personally, as I wouldn't dare extrapolate to anyone else), the way I would describe how I'm different as a parent would be to say that I am "more fufilled" and "focused on what's important".  In my younger, carefree, childless days I had time to worry about frivololus things and so I did.  I look back at my younger self now and some of the things I actually spent time being concerned about would make me roll my eyes today.  It's not just having children, in and of itself, that has been the sole factor in this process, though.

Mandalyn8

That article brought up some interesting points about the changing culture we live in. I think one of the biggest things I took away from it (and maybe this has to do with where Josh and I are in our decision to have kids) is to make sure you're financially and emotionally "ready" to have kids. Oh sure, no one will ever be perfectly ready, but it's probably a good idea to set a few goals and make sure you've attained them before jumping on the TTC-train. Even if your only reason is to be less stressed while you raise your child.  Also, I think the article made a good point when it talked about the fact that everywhere you look, parenting seems to be this blissful experience, when in fact it can be stressful. Something it didn't say verbatim, but seems like an obvious part of it - if your marriage isn't happy to begin with, the stresses of having children are not going to help! All in all I thought it was a good showcase of the differences between parenting in the last century as opposed to now, and it made me happier that we're waiting until we're a little more ready (namely financially) before we have kids.