A new "groundbreaking" study shows that couples become unhappy after the introduction of a child into the family. Really? Are they saying that sleep deprivation, colic, the stress of childbirth, and rearranging your whole entire life around a screaming little baby that can't even smile at you yet isn't bliss? I wonder if future earth shattering reports will show that chocolate tastes good, or the Pope is Catholic, or Keith Richards enjoys a nice stiff drink?
This really isn't this surprising. Read this feature by Elizabeth Mitchell. While we parents often try to convince their childless friends that having children is the best thing in the world, they often leave out how difficult it can be. Being married takes a lot of effort even without adding all the stresses of a brand new baby.
I don't mean to be cynical, (well, okay, maybe I do) but it seems to me that that the people who are expecting a child to make life easier are just delusional. Raising kids is hard. Newborns are really hard. It isn't all kisses and roses, but it is still the best thing I have ever done. My children do make me happy. The work is exhausting but worthwhile.
