Originally Posted by
Perfidiously
I prefer Talia being present, if distant. I think all the "work" in terms of actually raising him and teaching him was given to nannies, teachers, etc., but she oversaw it all and spent time with him when she could (though would disappear for months at a time for her own work as well). Still, I feel like she a very loving presence to Damian, but at the same time made it clear that he was expected to be perfect, and if he wasn't, ooh boy.
I like the contrast between her and Bruce as parents that way. Talia's the one who's very affectionate, calls Damian "my love", never misses a birthday duel, but she also sees him as a tool. Meanwhile, Bruce is distant, harsh, totally misses birthdays to go save the world, but would go to hell and back for him. That's why Damian sometimes wavers between the two.