Yes (too many to count). I remember the one from 4th grade (9 years old) the most vividly.
We had several new families move in with children. The newbie kids were all my age (all pre-existing kiddos were 3 or more years older then me)! All had befriended me at our school which was very very very anti-JW. For the first time in since moving there I had found myself happy and able to have friends. We like all good lil' dubs weren't allowed wordly friends and in turn most worldly children weren't allowed to talk to JWs (albeit 3 did). This was to be short lived within two months of school starting the PO's favorite henchman delivered an address in which he 'accidently' pointed to me 6 times.
The need was about assoications within the congregation........ not letting your child associate with those whom Elders deemed having displayed independent thinking or otherwise counseled........
It sucks to be singled out. It sucks when every kid in the KH shuns you and their parents gossip about you for years to come. So thus my small relief of 'associations' ended. Similar talks were given every time any family with children moved to our KH. For many years my sibling's friends couldn't visit our home if I was present. So my mom would have to take me to the library and leave me their for several hours or on occassion I got to go to my worldly grandparents house so sibs could play with the JWkids. No JW child publically acknowledged me until they were facing persecution in the principals office or later DFd from that talk onward......
In light of being an adult now with a child about my age then....... I fail to see how grown men who were in their 50s-60s felt the need to pick on such a young child and still managed to sleep restfully at night...... So if you have a child about 9-ish hug them tight, tell them you love them, that they are a joy and add sparkle to your life.
