Many us believe that having children is the key to happiness and a perfect family life. Naturally, this idealistic image is true some, but researchers say that reality, children make us happiest when they fly the nest - when they have grown and left home. Researchers Germany looked data from a survey of 55,000 50-year-olds living in Europe. The survey respondents were quizzed their emotional wellbeing. The researchers discovered that most parents were happier life after their offspring had left home and started making their own way life. Researchers say this could be because raising children creates financial worry, stress, fatigue and anxiety.
The research was led Christoph Becker Heidelberg University. He concluded that a big reason parents being happiest when their children leave home is that the tables are turned and the children provide more support to their parents. He said parents whose children no longer live them suffer fewer symptoms of depression and have a more positive outlook life. Regarding the role reversal providing support, Mr Becker said: "Children's roles as caregivers, providers of financial support or simply as a means social contact might outweigh the negative aspects of parenthood." He added that maintaining family relationships may stave loneliness ageing parents
