Dads Find More Happiness in Parenting Than Moms

As we close in on Father’s Day I am so happy that all my kids are happy.  Son Lance is 37, daughter Sarah is 29, Dacotah 23 and Katie is 3….not a typo…she’s 3.  I am a different and better person and parent today than back in the day.  Back then we are all lead to believe that children meant “happiness.”

Over the past decade, there has been a significant amount of evidence collected that suggests that having children does not make people happy. However, according to a study by a group of psychologists from the University of British Columbia, UC Riverside, and Stanford, there is a psychological benefit to parenting — particularly among fathers.

“Researchers say they found that, “parenthood was associated with greater satisfaction and happiness only among fathers,” and that mothers were not actually happier than women without children.” I think I see where this is headed…somewhere we will be hearing that mom does all the work…place your bets.

In fact, married fathers seemed to be the happiest of them all.  If parenting is associated with more joy than misery, dads appear be capitalizing on the “joy” portion of the experience.

There are plenty of highs and lows in raising up people.  They don’t always turn out like you want despite your best efforts but even though fathers appear to be happier, researchers say the one consistent psychological benefit consistent in both parents across the board appeared to be “a stronger sense of meaning in life” than people without children.  One “meaning” that cannot be ignore…kids mean you are gonna need a bigger checkbook!