I read the article on whether or not having children makes you happier, and today of all days it struck a chord. I spent the day with my friend who is a married mother of two (a two year old and a three month old). She is currently on maternity leave. She frankly told me she could not wait to return to work and how the children just wear her out. She seemed not to have any joy about the new baby. Unlike after her first child, she didnt want to talk about the new baby at all. I can imagine that the stress and hectic schedule can take all the joy out of raising children.