I've heard the same thing about the kids being better off, from my W who has barely interacted with our amazing, happy, easy 18 month old in several weeks. It's pure justification. It feels like a cult abducted my W.
M: 33 W: 33 M: 9 T: 10 3 S's: 8, 6 and 1.5 BD: 8/3/14 Living together