Were you happier before or after

[Neverseenfirefliesinmylife]

Kids?

And if you have more than one, happier with just one or happier with more?

Please be honest

I was happy before, but I'm happier since I had them. They've brought me so much joy.

On the other hand, the constant worry about them (I have three, all young adults now) is something I hadn't anticipated before.

After. I was happy before kids and I look back peace and quiet and selfishness of pre kids life with longing. Now it's exhausting and they drive me nuts but I love them both so much and wouldn't be without them.

Happier but much more clapped out :)

Before, I had a busy social life, career was taking off and my weight was relatively healthy.
Combination of circumstances (not just having dc) mean I rarely go out, am a worryingly unhealthy weight and my career has stalled for many years.

I wouldn't change my dc for the world but I do wish his first 3 years had gone more smoothly.

Oh def happier after. Life is better with kids. I had my first in my 30's and second in my 40's and much prefer life now than in my 20's before I had kids.
Kids make your life I think

Definitely after. I'm tired all the time (they are still young) and sometimes feel I'll go mad if I don't get some free time to myself, but they bring me so much happiness that it is worth it.

After. I only have one DC, and he's only 11 months but he makes me so happy. I'm already excited to have a second and complete my family.

Life before DC was good too, but I felt that I had fulfilled everything I wanted to before having children. I do miss being able to go off and enjoy my hobbies whenever I like on weekends but I have a supportive partner and I know that I'll be able to pursue my interests more fully again in the future.

After. I still have my own life, my own interests, my own goals etc, but I love being a mum. DD brings me so much joy. I only have one though.

After. I wish I'd had more. I have 2 DC.
They have made my life whole and I love being with them and the joy and pride hey bring.
But my life was carefree before, no worries at all. So many awful things can happen in the world and before DC I didnt care and felt invincible. Now I am uber aware of the threats that await.

After ! Definitely. It's hard work but they bring me soooooo much joy. I was a lot less tired before though.

I am happier now (after) - of course that is partly because of DD, but it's also true that I've got much happier and more chilled as I've got older and wiser and I am sure that would have happened if I hadn't had a child too.

Whether or not you have kids, you are going to change massively.

Interestingly, although I would have very much liked to have more than one child, I find having one child very conducive to happiness as life is (usually) peaceful and harmonious and that suits me. But some people love the hustle and bustle of a bigger familiy.

After defiantly
Stressful & times but so so worth it

@mum2b1xx

After defiantly Stressful & times but so so worth it

After Definitely Stressful at times but so so worth it

After, my kids give me my purpose and everything I do is for them.

Before. I had them because I followed the pattern of engaged / married then people constantly pestered me about when I would. It was almost like the world felt entitled to ask and expected me to do it without any thought. I did have a maternal instinct before them and always thought I’d have children but I didn’t think deeply enough about what it would mean for me as an individual once I’d had one.

Much happier after DC1

Less happy after DC2.
Not because I don't love DC2, I v much do, just that becoming a family of 4 added strain. Juggling everything has been tricky and I really enjoyed the time I had with just one. It was more enjoyable. Having 2 kids is far less flexible.

After, no doubt.
Have 2 close together and they are amazing. Have me laughing every day and they love each other so much which is so lovely to see.
Definitely been some hard times along the way but they make up for it plus lots more.
I did live it up in my 20s / early 30s though and i was more than ready to calm down and for family time

Before definitely

After. I was happy before and didn’t appreciate my free time and disposable income enough (!), but my 2 DC’s despite all the tiredness and responsibility bring a totally different contentment and moments of pure joy. They are the best people I know and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Writing this makes me appreciate it all the more!

After.

But I will also say I was happier before Covid.

Before.
Life is pretty miserable now.
And it’s all pointless. I’m tired and poor and life is one long boring slog of dull stuff I don’t want to do.

After, definitely. I miss the spontaneity of pre-baby life but I was always looking for the next thing, I could never sit still and appreciate what I had.

Now I appreciate the smallest things and feel genuinely content. My wee one brings me so such joy, and I'm a sour bitch so that's hard to do!

I had many happy, joyful times pre kids and the same since they came along.
My children have brought me great joy.
But it's not all fun and games. Parenting can be hard. I have teenagers now and I'm not enjoying this period of parenting much at all.

Happier after, happier with more.

I think life was too different before and after to compare.

In terms of subjective happiness levels, definitely after, but its bloody hard. I didnt anticipate having a child with additional needs but whilst it makes the lows lower, it also makes the highs so much higher