I don’t think Maekar is a *good* father per se but he’s far from the biggest parental failure in Westeros. Out of six kids, only one is a complete psychopath (Daeron is a drunk but he’s relatively harmless to others) and I think Aerion would likely be that way whoever his parents were, some people are just dicks, also worth remembering that Aerion is very good at pretending he’s charming, Maekar in the books genuinely doesn’t seem to know that Aerion is Like That until Ashford. When Maekar gets a better picture of what Aerion is *he sends him away*.
I also think Egg’s attitude towards Maekar is telling that he’s not a terrible dad. Egg is always quoting him in the books and gets into fights defending Maekar. Aemon also remembers him fondly in AFFC, there doesn’t seem to be any bad feelings.
Something else that I found interesting was that Maekar didn’t seem bothered by Egg squiring for Dunk during the Trial and when Egg says he will only squire for Dunk, Maekar actually goes and talks to Dunk about this! He may not be the most affectionate parent but he clearly listens to his children and takes their words onboard (see also Daeron, he immediately believes Daeron’s story about Egg being kidnapped). Anyway long ramble but I don’t think Maekar is actually that terrible a parent. At worst he’s average for the time.
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