Read the article, and first off, the whole "parents are about 7 percentage points less likely to report being happy than the childless," is a bit boggling...how in the heck do you determine exactly that? And to me, 7% really isn't that huge of a difference - not the whole "I'm happy" or "I'm miserable" - if the percentages were more like 40% or more, then I think one could draw conclusions, but that tiny of a difference doesn't mean much to me. To me, it says that those with kids, and those without are approximately the same when it comes to being happy.
That said, I think we personally have avoided the whole "marital satisfaction decreases dramatically after the birth of the first child". We were happy before, but now, I'm just head over heels for this man that adores our baby, can't wait to see her, and is gentle and compassionate to me at the same time. He loves his "girls", and sure proves it daily. I also feel that I've become a better wife, in that I try to show daily that I appreciate being able to stay home with DD, so I make home a good place for DH to come to - good meals, clean house, and welcoming family. I enjoy doing those things, because I enjoy being able to stay here.
Life is much, much different with a child, but I think for our little family, it is even better than when it was just us two. Before, it was fun and great and I loved DH and he loved me. Now we have DD to love, and rather than detract from each other, it's grown more.
Sure, I get tired of getting up a bunch of times when DD is teething or something, but I'm also glad I no longer go out to the bar til 2am, and have to spend the next day nursing a hangover. I'd much rather take care of DD than do that again. I'd much rather stay home and clean, than spend the gas to go on complicated excursions with "friends" and deal with the inevitable drama that always ensued. I've gotten better at being able to stand up to my dysfunctional family (my parents), because I have a reason I can't get involved - gotta take care of the baby! That alone has relieved me of TONS of stress. I used to be the family fixer and mediator. Now, I have my little family of DH and DD, and everyone else can sort their own problems out without me.
Who says kids make you happy?
They make me laugh also and help me see the lighter side to life in fact sometimes they teach me with their endless questions and silly answers. So I'd say it would be more joyful and fulfilling to be a parent.
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