The Happiness Challenge is a fabulous idea...and as Christine writes, it is, "up to us to pursue those paths that will, in fact, make us happier." I will make the effort to increase my own happiness in the ways suggested in "The Trouble with Motherhood."

Some women have, in fact , discovered a way to be happy-a possible solution and a choice more mothers are making. For the past several months I have been interviewing them as part of a research project-mothers of only children.

These mothers report having the time to kick back, rest, and be happy. Most of them say they are calm, less stressed and less busy. They are busy, but their children are in fewer activities; they drive carpools less often. "Rest, relaxation, and flow" have not been "squeezed out of their lives." They say, as the Happiness Challenge suggests, that they "don't miss the cuddling and reading (with their children). A sampling of their thoughts in their words:

"For me...I'm big on the simplicity of it [having one child]. I think I'm fortunate and can keep it simple. I'm happy that we decided to stop at one. We look at what's supposed to bring us happiness, the norm of two children: Who says so? Why are they right and I'm wrong in my choice to have one child." [mother of a 12-year-old daughter]

"I feel more at peace this way [with one child]; we have more freedom to take off and live our lives; it's less stress." [mother of an 11-year-old son]

"It [having one child] feels right. I can enjoy the moment; I can focus on my son whether I'm disciplining or praising him. I feel like I can have it all. I'm not pulled in so many directions." [mother of a 2-year-old son]

"I don't know how much more happy we would be with another child...I don't see my happiness quotient going up. I see friends with two kids and it strikes me that it looks so much more difficult; they don't look happy or rested." (mother of a 2-year-old daughter]

"On Sunday mornings, I get to read the paper; and my son gets to spoon the foam off my coffee. To me that's perfection." [mother of a 5-year-old son]

Their feelings concur with my previous comments in Mothers With One Child are Happiest. Having one child is obviously not the solution for everyone, and mothers of one may not be happy and stress-free all the time, but they are more likely to be successful at the Happiness Challenge.