Are crying, screaming, pooping babies really the answer to marital harmony? Apparently so.

That's according to the "Journal of Happiness Studies".  (Yes, there is actually a "Journal of Happiness Studies"!)  Researchers found that "life satisfaction for married people -- women especially -- goes up the more kids they have."  And as we all know, if mama's happy... everyone's happy.

However, the benefits of child-rearing didn't have as positive an effect on couples who are together, but haven't tied the knot.

Hmmm.  A few months back, I wrote about this study, which found that "90% of couples experience a decrease in marital satisfaction once the first child was born."

So which is it?  My take is... both.  My son and daughter are unbelievable blessings.  My hubby and I love them so ridiculously much, but that doesn't mean every moment is a Hallmark one.  That's life, though.

Maybe I better quit reading these studies...