I like the parent analogy because those whom God is their Father are loved unconditionally and eternally because they ARE His children. But according to your analogy you have to earn and maintain your good standing with your father but if you sin your father will then torture you in hell forever. This sounds worse to me!
Addressing your last point here, of what is bolded, scripture says otherwise:
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.”
It seems that God is the Father and creator of all, as he wants all to come to repentance, as stated. Furthermore, with these verses:
1 Timothy 4:16
“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching,
continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers”
Romans 2:6-8
“6 God
“will repay everyone according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who
by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those** who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” **
Colossians 1:21-23
“21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23** if you continue in your faith**, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant”.
It is evident that yes, we are to keep in the faith. While God’s grace is unmerited, we are to continue in this, and not falter, or in other words, “maintain your good standing with your father.”