Hi, there is this bond that parents have with their children that they do not have with others. It's actually biological to make sure that offspring are taken care of. My husband (and our children's father) used to make comments about what I will do for our kids and what I will do for him. The way that I look at it is he is an adult and can take care of himself. At the time our kids were little! I hear what you are saying, though, that you would like it if he would do nice little things for you. Now our kids are getting older and they can do a lot more for themselves and now I have time to do nice little things for my husband. He does do nice little things for me. Maybe if you take the focus off of his kids then he will stop reacting when you bring up the subject and just focus on what you are saying about yourself? Your relationships with him is younger than his relationship with his children. Maybe give it time to grow and let him get in the habit of doing those things for you?