Do children make you have a happier life?

[Sewingsusan]

just that really. Love mine to bits and they’ve given me great sense of happiness and contentment.
what do others think?

For me? 100%. Yes yes yes.

yes.

yes

They say the happiest people are those who are single and child free so no

Mine does . I get so much joy from watching him grow and develop . I love the many facets of his little personality and how is getting his own ideas . Ds (19) passed away 2 years ago and it is my love for Ds (7) which keeps me going .

One trillion times over yes

Happier than any man could ever make me

Yes, yes, yes. 100%

Not sure. I was pretty happy before DC, and pretty happy now too!

But yes I suppose looking at him always makes me happy (unless he’s being really annoying).

Would be interesting to see how, if at all the response changes with age of children.
please indicate ages.
I loved the younger years but finding the teenage years challenging.

Yes, without a doubt

@Pebblebeach15 so sorry for your loss.

I think not having a child would have made me unhappy. Which isn't quite the same thing.

Absolutely. I always felt like my adult life pre children was all about plans for having a family. Get good career so I can go part time with decent money. See lots of world before we have kids. Get a big enough house in prep for kids. Now I don't constantly look at future thinking what's next just enjoy what I have!

There's nothing better than those little arms round your neck telling you they love you. So many funny moments along with the hard work makes it all worthwhile.

The highs are higher, but the lows are lower.

Mine are 2 almost 3 and 5 cuteness overload especially my 2yr old she's so cute and funny just now.

Most definitely

Makes no sense.

OP asking on an individual basis.

Do you have children?

Yes, I feel I’m allowed to be happier about their achievements than I am my own. I love seeing their face light up when they achieve something etc.

i have always wanted kids from a young age and while I was happy before kids it’s definitely changed me for the better

Yes, best thing about my life.

Tween and early teen.

Tricky times but bloody hell yes they make me happy.

single parent. We are a little team

You have children.

Why are you referring to “other people”?

More purpose yes. More happiness no. Parenting is stressful and rewarding even though I love them to bits. Perhaps there is something wrong with me!

Sadly for me no. Mine are 23/20/9 2 have complex SEN and I’ve battled years for them (going to a tribunal to get my eldest into school for example). I’m a lone parent and work full time. I do wonder if they were normal functioning children and I wasn’t constantly having to attend meetings or being informed of issues with behaviour I would find it easier. Guess I’ll never know. My youngest goes give great hugs though 😊 other than that I find it extremely tiresome and lonely.

Is that not allowed? It’s constantly quoted on here that statistically the happiest people are single people without children.

I can't see how it's possible to know. You either have them or you don't, and you can't change your mind once you've got them.

All the decisions you make once you have them will be different from the ones you'd have made if you didn't.

I don't have them, have never wanted them, and am happy.

I feel sure that I wouldn't be happier if I had them, but if by some weird circumstance I ended up with them (like if I suddenly found out I was eight months pregnant and had no choice), maybe some hormone change would kick in and make me feel differently about it.

Maybe my life would finally have a purpose!

I'd say no. The worry and relentlessness of it is draining and you are never quite worry free even at their happiest times. As they grow so do their problems.

Definitely, 100%.

I think I really started living when I had him, he changed my life.

He's 12 now and it's really becoming hard work very often... but, yes, my life is infinitely happier with him in it.