The beginning of this verse is not a heading added by the publisher of your Bible. It is part of the ancient text and alerts us to the fact that the book of Proverbs is divided into sections. This is the second section and consists of one-verse wise sayings versus the longer poems which told stories in the first section.
The second part of this verse is the actual wise saying and is something any parent understands. When I know that my kids are doing well, it gives a little boost to my day – even though they both live on the other side of the country. But, if I know they’re having a rough time in their lives, it is a downer. But that is what parenting is all about. We need to regularly pray for our kids and trust them into His hands – He actually cares more about them than we do!
While there may be some special insights from the specific statements about father and mother in this verse, it is also just another example of parallel statements in Hebrew poetry. Parental love leads to emotions of both joy and grief. But mom can be just as glad as dad and he can feel just as much grief as she can.