What is the difference in the upbringing of children between Atticus and Aunt Alexandra in To Kill a Mockingbird?

The parental skills of Alexandra and Atticus contrast
wildly in To Kill a Mockingbird. Alexandra's children are already
grown and married; young Francis, who inhabits Finch Landing during the Christmas
holidays, is actually Alexandra's grandson. Francis' father, Henry, and his wife
are similar to Dill's parents: They show little attention (or teach discipline) to their
children, preferring to leave them with relatives for long periods of time. They don't
even spend Christmas with their family, like Atticus and Uncle Jack; instead, they
"pursued their own pleasures."

Scout describes Alexandra as
"cold," and her Uncle Jimmy never said a word to Scout except once when he told her to
"Get off the fence." Jimmy is distant to everyone, including his wife; he prefers a life
of leisure (apparently with no job), and fishing seems to be his main vocation. He
refuses to accompany Alexandra when she comes to Maycomb to take care of Jem and Scout.
He is probably much happier at Finch Landing. Alexandra's high-brow behavior is the
antithesis of Atticus' own way of treating everyone the same. Where Atticus employs
Calpurnia to take care of his children, and treats her as a member of the family,
Alexandra employs a black chauffeur to drive her around. Alexandra's motherly instincts
are poor, or perhaps only rusty; she attempts to be strict with Jem and Scout, deciding
that they need a woman's touch, but she shows none of this attitude when dealing with
the obnoxious Francis.

It is obvious that Atticus' children
are developing conscientious, intelligent skills and habits, and will grow into
responsible adults--without the benefit of a mother. The same can't be said of
Alexandra's own children, though she does show great improvement by the end of the
novel. Her sympathetic and understanding pampering of Scout and Jem in the final
chapters show that her rust may be wearing off after all.