11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

Boundaries

A healthy person sees themselves as distinct from others in appropriate ways.  However, there is a sense in which we are connected with each other.  Parents have a connection with their children and realise that children are reflection of their parenting.  Some of the reflection is earned, but children are, of course, individuals.  If a child does well, people assume good things about the parents.  If a child does badly, people assume bad things.  Poor character in a child often causes a parent to doubt themselves.  Such a parent can not go about public life without thinking of the public reputation their child also brings upon them.

Questions

1. What does the parent ask of the child?
2. How does the reputation of a child reflect on the reputation of the parent?
3. How does God factor in the relationship betwen a parent and their child’s public actions?
4. Prince Harry was caught naked in Las Vegas while playing strip pool.  How does that reflect on his parents and the Windsor family?
5. How have you honoured or disgraced your family?  How do your children behave in public?  How do you think that changes your reputation?