Whether a father's efforts for his children amount to sacrifice or simple parental responsibility is indeed a tricky question. The answer depends on whether one asks it from a Biblical or a worldly perspective. From a worldly perspective, there is no straightforward answer, since there are too many variables, and no two situations are ever quite alike.
If I were to generalise, I would say that what fathers consider sacrifices, children often see merely as parental responsibility. Even if my own children do not explicitly acknowledge what I gave up for them, their acceptance of it may still be reflected in their devotion to me. As for myself, I do not view what I did for them as sacrifice at all; I consider all of it simply loving care.