[netmilsmom]

>>Funny how there are multiple threads and opinions on this forum concerning the importance of the role of fathers, but somehow, in this case, being one “figures.”<<

Of course fathers are important. Very important. I have no clue where you got that I said fathers are not.

However, when a father states that his children never had a tantrum, it makes one wonder where the father was during the children’s second and third years. Maybe mom handled all of it and you were not aware of what she was going through?

[edpc]

The importance of fathers is not the issue. Your statement of "how did I know you were a guy" in 207 and subsequent reassertion in the last post seemed to suggest I was either unaware or uninvolved due to the fact I happen to be male. I suppose I could conclude that's projection on your part, based on the actions of netmilsdad, but that would be ridiculously presumptive and probably incorrect on my part. Same case with your line of thought.

In some aspects, I was very lucky. They never had problems with teething, illness, discipline, or many of the other usual childhood issues. However fortunate, I'd like to think we, as parents, also had something to do with that.

When I was 19, I witnessed a child misbehaving terribly in public. The mother took the child aside and stated very calmly, but authoritatively with finger in face, "Even on my weakest days, I'll always be stronger than you." Kid never made a peep after that.

I don't know what was more surprising: The fact that it actually worked for her, or that the philosophy helped me 8 years later.