Despite your best efforts your children are going to disappoint you from time to time. The best you can hope for is that they don't break your heart.
“The best you can hope for is that they don’t break your heart.”
So true, g_b_c, and the wise parent remembers that his child cannot fulfill all his hopes and dreams. If your child is a good person who is a productive member of society, that’s about as good as it gets. Any good stuff above and beyond that is gravy.
Rita Rudner joking about children:
"What if I go through the years of raising a child only to find out they hate me and blame me for everything wrong in their lives?"
My friend laughed, shook her head and took my hand sympathetically and said "My dear, what do you mean 'if'"?