Interesting question... which led me to consider whether we can consider our children under under a certain age — who can definitely be *"prickly"* — through the same lens as people in the greater world. 

As parents, we have on some level agreed to be the stewards and protectors of these young lives until they are capable of understanding and handling what comes up, on their own.

That's not easy. But does it ever really end? To wit, our 31-year old daughter is getting married next Friday. My wife left a couple of days ago to spend the last few days with her, and I reminded her *"you're not responsible for what she FEELS and DOES, but your presence may soothe her and potentially lessen any possible suffering (she's basically "Bridezilla" on steroids) she's experiencing."*

In the greater world, I find it easier to stay in Oneness, and often think of the old Zen koan: *"What is the sound of one hand clapping?"* In this case, *"what is the sound of one person having a fight?"*