My mother was not born with maternal instincts. She was a good wife. But not a good mother. I grew up with a mother who was cold and indifferent. She didn't have much tolerance for children. She had 3 (no birth control pill back then... as she often reminded us). When we were little she would put us outside after breakfast & lock the doors behind us. If we needed to use a toilet we'd knock on neighbor's doors. When my little brother was 4 he'd wandered too far away from home and gotten lost. A policeman eventually found out where he lived and brought him back home. Back then no explanations were needed... just a "Here's your kid." She didn't change her attitude after we grew up and left home. She never called us, refused invitations to visit us, never sent a single card, and never acknowledged any of her grandchildren. When my sister was pregnant with her first child mom refused to attend the baby shower.
My list of examples that describe her outrageously poor parenting skills is much too lengthy for a post here.
To every woman who is/was nurturing, tender, patient, understanding, caring, devoted, involved, and loving to their children I say Happy Mother's Day!