Children need consistency and reliability from their parents. It becomes even more apparent as they get older- they will not be able to take risks in their liv

Children need consistency and reliability from their parents. It becomes even more apparent as they get older- they will not be able to take risks in their lives if they have been looking over their shoulders their whole lives trying to adapt to a capricious world of 'this week Mommy wants to be X, and Daddy's moving to be closer to his new girlfriend'. There is no amount of 'quality' you can add to a couple of afternoons that will replace the work done of being there day in, day out. It has nothing to do with quality of food or cleanliness of the bathroom.