Imagine my surprise when my news reader featured yet another junk study that took eight years (and goodness knows how much money) to come to the determination that,
“Secret to marital bliss: Don’t have kids”
Sigh….ok, let’s examine this more closely. The “study” concluded after eight years of study (I could have told them this in eight MINUTES) that after the birth of a couple’s first child, satisfaction with the marriage declines.
Duh.
News flash, researchers….satisfaction with most EVERYTHING declines after the birth of a first child. How many moms, in particular, are dissatisfied with their amount of sleep? How about the toll birth took on their bodies? How about being dissatisfied with the amount of money earned as compared to the amount which needs to be spent on baby supplies? And let’s not forget the dissatisfaction with having to change one’s lifestyle with regard to taking a shower in peace, going to the grocery store in peace, or basically doing ANYTHING in peace.
So yes, researchers…having a baby causes dissatisfaction in several areas of one’s life but the takeaway from this discussion in my opinion, and these so-called studies is that the reason there is a level of dissatisfaction can be summed up in six simple words:
“It’s Not All About You Anymore”
If more parents would realize that their temporary level of satisfaction is just that…temporary….and that their lives will become richer with each passing day of having children, they would be able to shrug off these feelings of dissatisfaction (not entirely, I’m no Pollyanna) and enjoy the wonderful gift that kids really are. Instead, researchers feel the need to “study” these things as though a study is going to change anyone’s perception of having children or provide any alternative solutions.
Having children changes your life. No kidding. But to suggest that new parents will experience a freefall of happiness in their lives just from having a baby….please. Instead, I would suggest that our generation realize that having children is supposed to be a somewhat more selfless act than some of us are treating it. Buck up. Grow up. Stop whining.
Now, go play with your kids. 
