Science Says There’s an Ideal Number of Kids to Have
If you’re a family-oriented woman, chances are that at some point you’ve wondered, “How many kids should I have?” Whether you’re totally done growing your brood or if you’re thinking about adding to yours, it’s always interesting to see what science has to say about big life questions like this. And one European study suggests a potential answer.
According to a 2014 study that assessed the happiness of British and German parents before and after the births of their children, having one or two children can boost your happiness. But if you have more than two, the same kind of boost of happiness doesn’t happen again.
MUST-SEE: 13 Photos That Prove Being a Parent Is Hard, Even for a Celebrity
Of course, this certainly doesn’t mean that third, fourth, or even tenth children in a family are any less loved or appreciated than the first and second children. Instead, the researchers suggested that this could just mean that parenthood becomes much less novel after witnessing birth, baby’s first steps, and potty training twice in a row. Additionally, the chances for financial strain are much higher when there are more than two hungry mouths to feed.
But no matter how many kids you have or are planning on having, it’s worth keeping in mind that this magical mood boost doesn’t last all that long — even after your first child is born. After about a year or so, research suggests that your overall mood reverts back to where it was at before kids entered the picture.
MUST-SEE: 12 Funny Photos of Pregnant Celebrity Moms All Mothers Will Relate To
The more you know!
h/t Country Living
More from Woman’s World
Nagging Moms Raise More Successful Daughters
The Hidden Health Benefit of More Mother-Daughter Time
Ina Garten’s Marriage Is Argument-Proof Because of Her One Rule
