kids, oxytocin, and 'normal' behavior

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My brother's first child, a new niece for me, was born about a month ago, and this past weekend I finally got to go visit his family. I spent a lot of time holding the baby, bouncing up and down, and patting her on the back; she gets upset whenever she is set down, so it was a way I could actually help out her parents by letting them have four available hands between them.

Anyway, holding my niece and bouncing up and down was far more satisfying than such an activity would logically be based on the level of mental and physical stimulation involved. It was, in fact, almost as relaxing as petting my dog - relaxing, but not soporific. Since I came back, I have noticed an alteration in my behavior. I have felt more patient, and have been looking people in the eyes without having to prompt myself to do so, and without as much discomfort when I do so as I usually feel.

I'm guessing that I got a good dose of oxytocin from handling my niece, but I would have thought that such effects would be transitory and limited in application to the stimulating infant herself. Has anyone else noticed this sort of effect - a 'kids make me more normal' sort of thing?

I just find kids (babies especially/the younger the better) to be soothing b/c there's less pressure to conform to social w/ them. So I'd guess its easier to relax & cope. Plus many of us aspies/auties are more childlike than NT's .

I detest children. Espicaly when they have horrible manners and there is no excuse for the parents not to teach them. A good smack on the behind would do my neice and nepphews a world of good. The two year old will just scream to hear himself and the five year old is a bully. I have so many negetive memories of children (from when I was a child) I am an evil old witch.