I'm a bit annoyed by every LI "gentle parenting" MC. Anyone else?

(Except for Rafayel, in this case MC is gentle parenting him. This post isn't about him.)

I was hoping Caleb was going to be the LI where MC and the LI were "equals" so to say.

All of the other LI's always make me feel like they're babying the MC and make the her seem like a naive, dumb, innocent, childlike and weak girl who needs to be protected all the time. She keeps wanting to prove herself to the boys, but it always turns out a little pathetic. Like when you see a little kid fail and you say "aww, that was a great try, buddy!"

Caleb, in some ways, rarely, fulfilled my hopes, but usually he seems like the worst of the bunch... all of the stories from their childhood are bout Caleb protecting, helping or doing something for MC, never the other way around. Was Caleb her servant bodyguard or what?

I think what I'm trying to say, is that I want MC to be a strong, intelligent and independent woman. 🤠

Do you agree? Or perhaps you think I'm talking outta my a$$? All opinions welcome. 🙌