Raising a child must be difficult. Interactions between and among children are complicated. Add in the parents and… well, books have been written about complications that can ensue.  Having one child who commands most of the attention simplifies matters, in a way. Life goes on, with the attention given where it is needed most.  Mom was the one who made the tough decision to try finding another place for Mike. Dad was passionate about keeping Mike at home. But in the final analysis, he did not object

My Brother’s Keeper
from ‘My Brother Michael’