Children can affect the quality of relationships

Most married couples confess that the happiest day of their lives is not their wedding day but rather when they are finally able to be called mummy and daddy. 

 

However, a recent study shows that couples who did not have children are happier than those who do.

 

Conducted by the Open University, researchers interviewed over 5,000 couples of different ages and statuses. They found that childless couples ranked the quality of their relationship a lot higher than couples with children.

 

Yet, when each person was asked to rate how happy they were with their lives, mothers said they were the happiest while women with no children were found to be the least happy.

 

In contrary, men with children were found to be slightly less happy in comparison to those without any. 

 

To be presented at the British Library later on in the week, the study also showed that small gestures such as making a cup of tea for your partner are the key to happy relationships.

 

It was found that the most important element in a strong relationship was  saying ‘thank you’.

 

Ruth Sutherland, the chief executive of relationship site, said: “It’s the small gestures of appreciation and affection, rather than the big romantic displays that really make the difference.”