Are kids a pain in the azz?

Question

The Colbert Report recently featured a guest that had written a book on happiness (not a self help book, but a book discussing what made most people happy and who the happiest people tended to be). Anyway, he said that people with children were less happy than those without. He said that when people THINK of their children, it makes them happy. But that we spend a lot more time actually dealing with the children than just thinking about them.

Thoughts?

*I'm putting this in marriage & divorce because you guys are more interesting than those in the other categories.

Answer 1

At times my kids are a major pain in the azz, but they are also my greatest sense of joy.
Quick story: I asked my 6 yr old twins to clean their room(total pig sty). After about an hour I went in to check on them and hardly anything was done. I was pretty annoyed and said to them "you've been in here for an hour and this room is still a mess!!" My daughter calmly looked up at me and said " Mommy, I only have two hands.I'm not an octopus". I laughed so hard I almost cried.
Looking back, I don't remember what the mess looked like, but I remember how she made me laugh.

Answer 2

I am a 42 yr old mom of 2 teen girls, 18 and 16 1/2. I always wanted to be a mom when I was little and I cannot imagine my life without my girls. Looking back on all the good and bad, all the times when they were hurting or in pain, which made me hurt. I would not change it for anything. My girls have added soooo much to my life and I am lucky to have them as my kids, I am blessed to be a mom. All the stress, worry, money aside because they just DO NOT compare to the joy, love, and happiness I have for my kids.
My bed would be that the guest on The Colbert Report does not have children.

Answer 3

It depends. Some kids can be pains, and some are utter joys. Yes, you end up being run ragged most often; however, there are times when the stars align and things just go perfectly. You watch them play, they do something sweet for you and you just sit there, stunned and serenely happy.

Some people hate children, so obviously they won't be happy. But, for those of us who absolutely love dealing with them (as opposed to adults), it can be a joy more than anything else.

Answer 4

I have one 2.5 year old little girl going on 16. On a normal day she is a pain 75% of the time, the other 25% she is an absolute angel. Raising a kid isnt easy, its like having a job that you have to work 24/7. I love her dearly, but sometimes id love to have 10 minutes of quiet. To imagine my life if something ever happened to her, i would have no point in living. The pain in the butt part is going to eventually go away, she will grow up and move away and i am going to miss it all. So in the end i think it is all worth it.

Answer 5

I have been a mother for just 8 months now (I'm 21), and there are times every single day that I mourn my old life. I miss being able to do whatever I want, whenever I want. I miss cocktails with friends, and soaking in the tub for hours with candles and a book. I miss a lot of things.

That said, I love my son dearly, and cannot imagine life without him, now that he is here. His smile makes me smile. When he cries, I want to cry.

That is the funny thing about kids...sure, I believe that people without kids claim to be happier. They have more freedoms, and generally less stress. They can have fun for THEMSELVES and only themselves. It like being selfish in a good way. But having kids brings a great deal of happiness that is difficult to explain. They will frustrate the heck out of you all day long, but at the end of the day, when they are in bed, you praise God for giving you the chance to raise them.

Life becomes more meaningful, if less "fun", and certainly MUCH more entertaining, if more complicated.

Answer 6

I assume that what the book referred to was, the fact that those without children are able to go where they please, but those with children can explore only atmospheres that allow children or get a sitter. I disagree. On the other hand my husband and I don't go to clubs or to places that sell alcohol. My husband had never been to six flags until last year, so we went, but that is where we go to amusement parks, circus events and carnivals ( I'm not sure if it is for their enjoyment or ours). The only thing I get stressed over is their disobedience after we have done all of this.

Answer 7

My personal opinion is that children are *true* joy. While they may disagree and think less of you as they get older, they still need their parents and look to us for guidance, acceptance and love. My daughter loves me unconditionally, just as I love her. My life has changed so much since becoming a mother because my priorities have changed. I am a much less selfish person because she is much more important that any wants that I have. The thought of not having her in my life would be devastating and I hope to never know what that would be like.

Answer 8

i think it would really depend on the age range for example i'm 22 and alot of my friends have kids granted like two of them are married and they don't seem too happy becasue they can never really go out without worrying about there baby and who's watching them and they're okay. And at the same time they're more restricted to the things they can do. So i guess it's just a matter of situation in some cases.

Answer 9

I saw that same show and wasn't sure I agreed with him. Yes, kids can be a real pain, but they also challenge you to be a better person. Mine are pretty much grown now and I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything. Sure, I have friends that are childless and they have much more money and freedom to do what they want. All of them say if they had it to do over again they would have had children.

Answer 10

I know where there are times that my kids drive me insane but I miss them when they are not there. I could not imagine my life without them...I wouldn't have anything to live for and would most likely be a lot less happy without, even though I would have more money & time for myself