[Gumdrop]

My Dad was very masculine, yet was caring and gentle with all his kids.

I cannot speak for men, but I have read about men who claim that when they first laid eyes upon their first child, a surge of emotion flooded them such as they had never known before. This was true regardless of the gender of the child. Usually they described it as a feeling of such love, tenderless and a feeling of responsibility to defend the child. So, it is highly likely that this type of bonding has a hormonal aspect to it. The question is which come first? The emotion or the hormones? It must be partly instinct.

[Quix]

Agreed.

Bonding is so critical.

[tiki]

When my oldest son's first child was born he came out of the room bawling like a little baby himself. "Oh, Mom, she's sooo beautiful!" He's still in love with her and his son and thankfully, his wife.

My dad was an absent-minded professor but very loving and kind, my mother was a drill sergeant, I think I needed both of them. We always laughed because whenever we did anything wrong in his presence he started calling Mom's name and told on us.

[Marie]

I cannot speak for men, but I have read about men who claim that when they first laid eyes upon their first child, a surge of emotion flooded them such as they had never known before. This was true regardless of the gender of the child. Usually they described it as a feeling of such love, tenderless and a feeling of responsibility to defend the child. So, it is highly likely that this type of bonding has a hormonal aspect to it. The question is which come first? The emotion or the hormones? It must be partly instinct.

My husband and I were separated (by the Army) during the last part of my first pregnancy and for three months after. The first time my husband held our daughter, the look of tenderness and love that crossed his face stunned me.