I must say, I enjoyed my children very much during their teens years when I was in my 30s.
As a young grandmother, I have enjoyed my own children and grandchildren much more than my friends who were either just beginning their families in late 30s or even early 40s.
All they do is complain about having no "free time" or "low energy" with toddlers or older children in activities.
I'm glad to be throwing a frizbee around the back yard with youngsters that I can hand back to their mommies when I get tired instead of doing school work, planning dinners and driving to soccer matches.
Meanwhile, I plan my next trip or enjoy myself and hubby spending lots of personal time together.
One friend, who was divorced in her 40s with an 8 yr. old son, complained to me that "it must be nice to have lots of time to come and go as I pleased, etc." My response, "You weren't interested in changing places with me when we were in our 20's - you going to parties at night, me walking the floor with a crying baby until 2:00 a.m."
We were married when I was 23 and she was 19. Now 54 and 51 and our nest officially empties this Friday. No grandbabies, but looking forward to this next phase of life. Combined with the fact that both our kids are happy and gainfully employed, and live and work in the same county, this is going to be fun. What I find interesting is that the author does not mention regular attendance, much less active involvement, in a church (very active would describe my entire family, members of the same church for 3 generations now) as a factor is long term marital happiness.