Hey all, I've been reading this sight for a year now and have never posted.The last topic sparked my "need" to do so.I got a girl pregnant 13 yrs. ago that I really didn't know that well. She turned out to be a "non-practicing J.W", according to her, until she became pregnant and realized that I was not going to marry her....I knew her for about a week. Anyway, we shared custody 50/50 until he was 4 yrs. old at which time we went to court because she wanted 100% control. She is absolutely nutty in every sense of the word and I was given primary custodian and he's lived with me ever since and is getting ready to turn 13 in November. He has 1st,3rd and 5th weekends with her and Tuesday evenings until 8:00. She also married a few yrs. ago to an non-J.W. who shows no interest in her beliefs and says that it's "her business".I also married almost 5 yrs. ago and have 3 small children who adore their big brother as he does them. He's smart, well rounded and loved by all who know him. His mom has continued to disparage us and our beliefs from day 1...."we bad for celebrating holidays, flag, etc"....you all know the spill.
For about the past year she and her family...sisters, mother, etc. have really put the hammer down on him and I can see the change. He's starting to question all the things he does and is in constant turmoil because of all the b.s. they are feeding him. We do all we can by exposing him to all kinds of stuff and teaching him the importance of free thinking and questioning things, etc. He's super smart, makes all A's, plays football, basketball, baseball...goes to youth group and church with us...has tons of Normal friends...hardly any JW friends (3) but comes home from her house flat...depressed, etc. He says that alot of the stuff makes sense when she's telling it to him but "it still doesn't make sense". He also has gone to a child play counselor since he was 8 yrs. old....she says to keep doing what were doing and he'll be okay...that he knows what is right and wrong...but cannot seperate the religeon from his mom...she treats him inappropriately like he's still a 4 yr.old...coddling, talking to him like he's a baby...calling him pooter bear, sugar bee, etc. Really weird stuff but noone wants to "tread on her religeous rights".
I am here to seek advise from anyone out there. I know alot of your stories and have a huge fear that no matter what we do she is going to guilt and shame him into buying into this stuff finally. He loves holidays and b-day parties but gets the whole "you know Jeh. isn't happy with you when you do those things....don't you want to please Jeh?"
Anyway, sorry for the long post. I appreciate all of you and what you've been thru and love that you were able to get out of this evil org. and do what you want to do.
Thanks for letting me be a part of this.
D in Dallas