The McCanns seemed to lack a lot of the normal parental instincts. Leaving babies and a very young child, alone for stretches of time, in an unlocked hotel room, so they could party 100 yards away? That's not normal, loving, parental behaviour. Gerry playing tennis the morning AFTER his daughter had gone missing? This is not normal, loving, parental behaviour. I know if our daughter had gone missing my DH would have searched the streets until his feet bled.
People often make the mistake of assuming that every parent has a deep, loving bond with their children and would instinctively put their needs before their own. But that's far from the case and that's why child neglect and abuse happens. Some parents, very sadly, see their children as a hindrance to the life they want to lead. Many parents selfishly usually put their own needs and desires first. I believe the McCann's fall into that category, though I suspect it was more Gerry insisting they holidayed like they barely had their children with them, rather than Kate.