And Rav Kook writes that the father must locate his potential for pure and unconditional loving-kindness. The only hope for this child is if the father does not break the connection, no matter what. Rav Kook's responsum fits right in with the Talmudic quote about forgiveness,and so he counsels the father to take the first step. To make sure they remain a family, the connection must not broken. In doing this, the father removes the child from the category of rebellious son.
Forgiveness erases the engraved future.
Repentance is possible. Thus the key for a successful Rosh Hashana, for God to hear our cries, is to make sure that our hearts are always open to our children, just as God's heart is always open to us. And He will judge us as we are - in the moment of our contrite repentance.