A parent owes a great education through high school. (Preferably homeschool if they remotely love their kids).
Parents do not owe their kids an education beyond that. We loaned our kids money and expected the loans to be repaid.
Yep. My parents could have financed my private school and college education without breaking a sweat, and they could have bought me a very nice house, too.
What happened instead:
1 They homeschooled and taught me how to think;
2 They gave me a lot of good advice about real estate;
3 I took their advice, went to work at 18 and within a year I had my own house.
That said, a single mom is probably not a good target for criticism. She did the best she knew how, I will assume. (Let him, whose child did not go to public school, cast the first stone.)
Human nature being what it is -- fallen -- there is no reliable fixed ratio for the amount of sacrifice and the amount of gratitude.
Also, I don't think the mother should keep this situation a secret from her husband. She should give him a chance to react, to share her heartache, perhaps to surprise her with understanding. (Besides, on principle, if something matters, don't hide it from your spouse.)
Finally, the daughter's carrying a cross, too, who isn't? Bitterness and envy aren't just flaws, they're sins and wounds. Not a good idea to ignore what you might help heal.
I would disagree. As long as the child makes the most of his opportunity, a parent should help him go as far as he can. My willingness to help is, of course, dependent on that. If they are wasting my time, then my help is a waste of time. Otherwise, it’s better I think to help as far as they can.