[eddy_chan]

I actually think a lot less people would be shut-ins if they had kids.

All those 'menial chores' are actually become interesting because you're 'not just doing the grocery shopping anymore'. You're taking you kids shopping so they can explore the supermarket with them. They'll ask questions about what you buy and why you buy it. Of course they'll nag you to buy something for them as well.

Kids will nag you to go out to the park, to the museum or whatever other local attraction there is and along the way you'll get social interaction which helps balance things out.