Growing up melancholy

Will a child brought up by a single-parent better off than a complete family without love?

Dad had been job-hopping since she was born, no stable income. Had ventured into business operation but failed. Been jobless for years till now, and not an active houseman. A religious man with no responsibility; has a complicated but smart mind; keeps thoughts to himself. Is always gloomy n appears to suffer from slight depression. Rather strict too.

Mom’s the sole breadwinner. Is regretful over her marriage n apparently lack of love. An independent woman coping tediously with her work n family. Is now seeking some good returns from her hard work on raising her kids single-handedly. At times, this can be heard from her, “Inquire ur own conscience, is it right to do this to ur mom?” Not as knowledgeable as Dad, but has a contemporary frame of mind. Believes in independence; women can do pretty well without men. Hopes her kids get to learn skills that are beneficial throughout their lifetime.

Both chose to stay together for twenty odd years for their children’s sake. No doubt, negative remarks and squabbles between themselves ruined the image of a harmonious family. Miraculously, their kids turned out to be well-behaved but naïve due to their over-protection. One of them is a pessimistic daughter who normally suppresses her feelings. She is getting hopeless on her dad. Struggling very hard to respect him for some good values inculcate on her, and always attempted to cheer or counsel him, she is exhausting. She hates to see her dad being so cynical all day because he influences her pretty much. At times, contradiction sets in whenever she compares what she did for him n what he has done as a father n husband. She had hoped to grow up without a dad even. However, what will she become if no one instills right virtues on her? He’s not bad, just irresponsible n reclusive. Indeed, it’s an extremely, terribly, absolutely stressful feeling..very! Mom on the other hand has high expectation on her. Wanting her daughter to be witty, a graduate n filial, she has done it, except being witty. Still, she worries she’ll retire in loneliness n pathetically in future. She’s rather short-tempered so daughter has to nurture patience with her.. By right, she should be contented with such a daughter, however something’s missing still...

In spite knowing both of them did or is doing everything for their children, daughter’s is not happy with her family. Why? Perhaps both her parents are not genuinely contented with their life. They wanted a real long-term happiness. But how?

Meanwhile I was thinking hard - should a mother ask things in return from her kids for raising them up drearily? Isn’t this supposed to be fulfilled for the role as a mother? Shouldn’t mothers sacrifice without thinking things in return? Should the father be given the respect his child ought to give, for the lack of his responsibility?

Anyway, their children should learn to be contented with what they are enjoying now. Some people in the world do not own this much. No matter how much one owns, it’s just a passing time, an experience. Nothing is ours forever.