critical moms, insecure dads

From battles over breast-feeding to babies in the grown-up bed, moms and dads don't always see eye-to-eye when it comes to parenting. In a recent story on how a mom's words of criticism or encouragement affects a father's involvement in child care, we asked you to share the biggest child care debates between you and your partner.

One father bemoaned that after more than 50 years, "I NEVER do it right, according to her." On the other hand, Lily from Elkhart, Ill., says dads should speak up if they want to take a stand, but they "need to realize as a new mom our hormones are still wacky."

"Actually, my husband and I never had issues regarding our children. (We have two). The responsibilities always laid on me, as my husband understands me and my needs...the kids are mine therefore he backs off and allows me to do things my way. And our children know it. His theory is that 'I'm the mom. They are MY children and he will help when needed.' He is a GREAT, EXCEPTIONAL father. But we each play our roles with the kids. He's the playmate, I'm the fixer/caretaker. I'm MOM. There is a sense of protection that overcomes a woman when she has a child. I'm thankful my husband understood my need to be the "MOM" and allowed me to do what I felt was needed. ... But when they were very young, yes, I did it all. And my husband 'helped' only when asked. As far as I'm concerned, the kids came out of me...I brought them in to this world, so they are mine! If my husband wanted the control, he should have had the kids himself, or married a woman who didn't care about her children. I'm mom, therefore I make the rules when it comes to the kids. If he doesn't like it, he can have his own...."
—KJ, Tucson, Ariz.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25144485/

Click the above to read 11 more reader responses:

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As long as the mom is also willing to let dad go off and "do his thing," I see no problem here whatsoever. What bugs me is when one parents wants all the power but doesn't want all the work to go with it.