206: Should We Still Have Kids? And Do Children Really Save Marriages? (Parenting, Identity & the Pressure to Get It Right)

In this episode, Rosie and Roula dive into the pressures of modern parenting, the myth that children can “save” a struggling marriage, and why so many couples today are asking the big question: Should we still have kids?

They explore how becoming a parent shifts identity — especially for women — and how resentment, overwhelm, and the mental load can silently reshape a relationship. They unpack why society still expects mothers to carry everything while fathers get praised for basic involvement, and how these expectations can erode self-worth and partnership satisfaction.

The conversation goes deeper into how parents lose a sense of identity, why no one feels allowed to say they’re struggling, and how communication often collapses under the weight of “just surviving.”

Listeners also get a surprising look at Gen Alpha’s emotional landscape, reflected in the darker, introspective songs today’s kids love — revealing what they might actually be feeling but not saying.

🎵 Songs Mentioned (Gen Alpha Picks)

Roula highlights the emotional depth in today’s kids’ playlist:

“Puppet” – John Michael Howell

“Medusa” – John Michael HowelL

“Shadow” – Livingstone

These tracks spark a discussion about anxiety, identity, pressure, and the inner world of Gen Alpha.

🎙️ Related Rosie & Roula Episodes to Revisit

If you want to go deeper into themes mentioned in this episode, check out these previous conversations:

Episode 24 – “The Big Question – Kids or Not?”

⭐ What You’ll Hear in This Episode

* The myth of kids “fixing” a marriage

* Why modern parents feel overwhelmed and unsupported

* How identity shifts after becoming a parent

* The unspoken emotional weight mothers carry

* What Gen Alpha’s favorite songs reveal about them

* Why honesty in parenting conversations matters more than ever

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🎙️ Related Rosie & Roula Episodes to Revisit

If you want to go deeper into themes mentioned in this episode, check out these previous conversations:

Episode 24 – “The Big Question – Kids or Not?”

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