Does Having Kids Make Us Happy?
b'The world wants us to believe that having kids will bring us untold happiness. It\'s a love you\'ve never known! Your life will never be the same! The reality is a little more complicated, and that can be quite confusing. As psychologist Jean Twenge points out, "Parents might believe that it\'s their fault when the transition to parenthood is difficult, rather than seeing it as something that everyone experiences."\\nSo: does having kids make us happy? Is that even the right question? Is it supposed to? Are the benefits that come from parenting different, and perhaps larger, than happiness?\\nHere are links to some writing and studies on the topic that we discuss in this episode:\\xa0\\nPaul Bloom for The Atlantic: What Becoming a Parent Really Does to Your Happiness\\nDan Kahneman et al: A survey method for characterizing daily life experience: the day reconstruction method\\nRoudi Nazarina Roy et al: Effects of Expected and Perceived Division of Childcare and Household Labor on Mother\\u2019s Relationship Satisfaction during Their Transition to Parenthood\\nE.E. LeMasters: Parenthood as Crisis\\nM. Luhmann et al: Subjective well-being and adaptation to life events: A meta-analysis.\\xa0\\nJay Belsky et al: Patterns of Marital Change across the Transition to Parenthood: Pregnancy to Three Years Postpartum\\nJean M. Twenge et al: Parenthood and Marital Satisfaction: A Meta-Analytic Review\\nRainer Maria Rilke: \\u201cGo To The Limits of Your Longing\\u201d\\n\\nSpecial thanks to our sponsors for this month: \\nAura Frames make it easy to share photos with your loved ones from anywhere in the world using the Aura app. Visit auraframes.com and use the code FRESHHELL to get $30 off. \\nBrooklinen\'s\\xa0luxurious, high-quality bedding is the ultimate comfort upgrade.\\xa0Go to\\xa0Brooklinen.com\\xa0and use promo code\\xa0FRESH\\xa0to get $20 off with a minimum purchase of $100.\\nGivewell researches and recommends charities that do an incredible amount of good. Get donations up to $250 matched at givewell.org by picking PODCAST, and entering What Fresh Hell at checkout.\\nHelix customized mattresses will give you the best sleep of your life! Get up to $200 off all mattress orders, plus two free pillows, at helixsleep.com/laughing.\\nKiwiCo\\xa0projects make science, technology, engineering, art, and math super fun. Get 50% off your first month at\\xa0kiwico.com\\xa0with the code\\xa0MOTHERHOOD.\\nOlive & June delivers all the manicure tools you need in one box. Visit oliveandjune.com/FRESH and use code FRESH for 20% off. your first mani system.\\nOnce Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients . Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code FRESH25 for 25% off your first order.\\nProse\\xa0now makes supplements personally tailored to address your specific cause of hair shedding . Get your free in-depth consultation and 15% off your custom hair supplements at\\xa0prose.com/laughing.\\xa0\\nQuip electric toothbrushes have timed sonic vibrations with 30-second pulses to guide a dentist-recommended two-minute clean. Go to getquip.com/LAUGHING to get your first refill FREE.\\xa0\\nSchool Toolbox makes shopping for school supplies for your kids easier\\u2013 and also creates fundraising opportunities for your school! Find out more at schooltoolbox.com/whatfreshhell.\\nStoryWorth\\xa0helps your loved ones share stories through thought-provoking questions about their memories and personal thoughts. Get started with $10 off at\\xa0storyworth.com/whatfreshhell.\\xa0\\nWINN\\xd8W is the first clean face cream to pair CBD with ingredients like shea butter and hyaluronic and amino acids. Go to www.winnowcbd.com and use the code FRESH15\\xa0to save 15% on your first order.\\xa0\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'