I was 28 when I saw this. Neither a child nor a parent, but it struck at my heartstrings like few other movies.
When you go to see a movie on the big screen at the theatre, some of the magic leaves as you exit.
This was only on a small tv screen. But when it ended, it stayed my memory for lo these last 36 yr.
My memory did lose some details, like that it was an after school special with no big name stars.
Having found this entry on IMDB has been so reassuring (did I dream this?) & to find that other reviewers have similar opinions.
I'm so sorry that there's no chance to ever see this again. But, worse yet, you won't ever see it at all.