Babies are often referred to as bundles of joy, but does having kids really bring happiness? According to New York Magazine’s latest cover story, no.

“Most people assume that having children will make them happier. Yet a wide variety of academic research shows that parents are not happier than their childless peers, and in many cases are less so,” Jennifer Senior writes in "All Joy and No Fun," from the July 12 issue of the magazine.

Senior cites a number of studies that support the link between parenting and feelings of discontent –- findings that show mothers are less happy than fathers (single parents are even less happy), the majority of married mothers say they crave more time for themselves, and that nearly half of the disputes between long-married couples were about their kids.

British teenager Amy Buck delivered a preemie baby boy after being in labor for nearly three weeks, the Daily Mail reports. OUCH.

The first-time mom began contractions at 19 weeks, developed an infection, and despite being given medication in effort to delay labor, gave birth to Daniel Barwell, who weighed in at just 1 pound, 3 ounces.

"The average labor is about 12 hours long for someone having their first baby," London obstetrician told the Daily Mail. "The longest I've heard of was 48 hours."

Share your story! How long were you in labor?

Bad decisions abound in the Huffington Post's photo round-up of Parenting Fails. Some are silly (If you've just delivered a baby, that text can wait.) Others are downright horrifying – who puts a child next to a wild animal?

What is the most embarrassing parenting mistake you've ever made? Do these photos make you feel like Parent of the Year in contrast?