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

After. They are the reason I keep going.

After

Happier after.

A sibling is the best gift we ever gave our daughter.

@Happymum12345 What’s the age gap between them?

Am assuming you mean before children! The headline not clear.

@IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls That’s so lovely 😊 what’s the age gap between them?

@olidora63 Yes, I put it in my opening sentence

Totally different, was happy before but my kids are the light of my life.

@DeepaBeesKit

This thread is making me want to sneak in their rooms and kiss them

How sweet!

After.

I was losing my way a bit in my early twenties. I had depression that I didn’t realise I had in my late teens, and it’s only now when I look back that I realise I was suffering majorly in silence.

Then DS came along. I was 21. He changed my world and gave me purpose. All of my children have. But the arrival of DS1 lifted a dark cloud in my life that was there for a long time.

Now, 10 years on I’m a mum of 4. Life certainly isn’t easy and I do feel negative sometimes. But I’m so happy at the same time and my children are my world.

@Neverseenfirefliesinmylife a 2.5 year gap.

They are 13 (son) & 15 (daughter) now and i still love every stage they go through.

When they were little i adored having them side by side in a double buggy ... now they sit and scoff food giggling together watching Netflix , and funny videos on Tiktok.

Before the word "blessed" became meaningless on FB i did and truly do have moments every day where i think how lucky i am to have them.

I have had a lot of trauma & stress ,like many , over the past 18 months, and my DC have remained the joy in my life.

It’s hard to decide I think. I have been happy sad both before and after them. I definitely feel more fulfilled and stable after. But so much more tired.

Sometimes I wish I had them further apart (I had 3 under 2) so I could enjoy their babyhood more/get more 1 on 1 time with each of them. But then I see the 3 of them playing together and calling each other bestie (when not trying to kill each other) and I think it is so lovely for them to grow up so close.

Definitely after by a country mile. We are logical people and it took as a while to decide to have kids. It turns out that being a mum was everything I wanted and totally completed me, and I’m sure DH would say similar.

My second one brings me as much joy as the first one did. Practically, it is definitely harder with 2. They both want my attention a lot, they argue, trying to get them both out of the e house at the same time is like herding cats. Plus my first was just an easy child in many ways, whereas my second is very full on so we certainly knew what hit us. I wouldn’t change either for the world though, I love that we have 2 unique people, and when they are nice to each other it melts my heart.

I think a third would not add to my happiness. I value the time and attention I get to give them too much. 2 was just perfect for us, and they are the best decisions we’ve ever made!

After.
1 of mine is a total joy, the rest of them get right on my nerves though😄

After. Our dd is amazing and there's nothing like seeing her grow up. Not to say it's all been like that though.

After, I have 2dds aged 6 and 8.

I purposely had them later in life as I wanted to be financially secure and really enjoyed my social life in my 20s and 30s, I had dd1 aged 38 and don't feel like I made any sacrifices, I'd already got to the age where I wasn't interested in pubs and bars etc any more.

My life is great with them in it, it's not just the big things it's the little things, dd2 started a new Gymnastics class today after being on a long waiting list and the smile on her face made my day.
There's also nothing like the feeling of a little hand in mine or their arms around me having a cuddle.

Definitely afterwards.

Happier after. My dcs made me live much more in the present and made life feel more meaningful - and more fun.

After. I’ve just had our 3rd and although it’s hard I feel so content with our family of 5

Happy before kids, even happier after! I've had bad times in my life but more to do with work. My kids are teens now and I think i enjoy them more now than I did when they were babies, in a different way.
As a bit of an aside, I remember asking my dad what his favourite part of his life was and he said "right now, because every part of your life is special in some way". I thought that was a great way to look at it

I’ve always been happy but prefer having the Dc absolutely. I’ve loved every stage of them as they’ve been so special , even teen years and have such a hard working and delightful teen. Dh and I dread them leaving already and joke about moving to wherever they do but in reality want what’s best for them and just blessed ,as someone else put it , to have them.

Before.

After. We have 3 DC and it’s everything. Like someone else said, it’s not the big things alone, it’s also the every day.

After. I really enjoy their company and absolutely love having them in my life. I found it quite difficult getting the work/children balance right and that made me really unhappy for a time.

After. Never thought I’d have a second as with my first I was worrying about every little thing, didn’t think I could do it all again. Fell pregnant with dc2 and had some bouts of real anxiety, terrible hormones and worry about having 2dc to care for during my pregnancy. But he was born and absolutely lit up my world so much I can’t believe. Love my two children so much and it’s a challenge at times but this is time I will never get back ❤️