To some degree, all parents live vicariously through their children.  The question however is a matter of degree–how much?  It’s normal to want the best for our kids, but when we project our own failed opportunities or fantasies, we may be crossing an inappropriate line.

That was happening to me when my son’s musical ability blossomed and I was that parent beaming while I taped every performance of his.  Then, when he got his 15-minutes of fame and jammed with his rock ‘n’ roll idol, Chris Cornell (http://bit.ly/ay3IRx), I tried to milk it for all it was worth.  Was that for him or for me?