Yeah and what about fathers who work so late and barely have time for their children? I have seen plenty of fathers who act like money making machines and sleep during weekends instead of spending quality time with their kids. Why does our society only blame the woman? Both the parents need to spend time with kids and show them love and care, it's not just the mothers job.
True in ideal sense.
But... Men's role since the beginning of time has been to be the bread winner, even the hardliner feminists would agree with that.
Besides, children (young) crave mothers more than fathers. Not to say father just work, sleep, golf, goes out to play cards etc.
Here is something.
As young children both girls and boys look up to mother.
Growing older the boy looks up to father and girl looks up to her mother.
So one can say it depends on the family structure also.
However, in-laws do not need to have same selection bias and can be helpful equally to both sexes of children.