Thank you Parousia for sharing that. People who've experienced things like you are EXACTLY why I want to get my kids as far away from this as possible (and I mean no offense to you by that). I went to school with JW kids. I saw how they would have to leave class when someone's mom brought cake and goodies on their child's birthday, how they would miss out on certain field trips and school activities because of the patriotic or holiday orientation (and most school events are usually one or the other), how they couldn't salute the flag (and the ridicule they received because of that), and how they always looked...so alone. I always felt so sorry for them (and, trust me, my life was no bed of roses). Who in their right mind would want that for their kids??? And I know by my son saying what he has (and he's said other things that really bother me) that he is vocalizing his fear and his feeling of inadequacy...and that, to me, is scary. I am sorry for what happened with you and your siblings. I hope your life is good now (and theirs is too) and that you can go on and learn from what you've gone through. The life you described is definitely not the kind of life I want for my babies.
Thanks again for sharing