JW kids & Dec. stress

wheelwithinwheel

December used to be the worst month of the year for me.

I still remember making a Santa out of a toilet paper roll, red crepe paper and some cotton in one of my first years of school. When I brought it home, knowing it probably wasnt right, the parents reaction convinced me I was a real sinner.

From then on my sister and I were drilled on the evils of birthdays, paganism, Nimrodism and druidism; and the vital chronology proving Jesus was not born in Dec.

I began dreading the month of December: Christmas plays, decorating classrooms and the tree, art class, music class, gift exchanges, Christmas parties and the inevitable embarrassing questions and difficult situations that had to be explained to friends, other students, teachers and principals pretty much every year.

When I finished school and started work I still found my stomach getting queasy as December approached and rehearsing my lines like Merry Christmas Dah...thanks buddy; Christmas party? Wont be there, JW you know

I stopped going to the hall in 99 but I just realised that it is only this year that I can say my December stress level is completely normal.

Anyone else enjoying a relaxed holiday season?

Mary

I both loved and hated December.......loved it, because of Christmas time and I absolutely loved all the XMas decorations, the carols, and the wonderful feeling of happiness in the air that was so tangible, you could almost touch it.

I also hated it, because being a JW, we didn't celebrate with everyone else and this contributed to my feelings of low self esteem that I carried over in to adulthood. Adults don't care if you celebrate Christmas or not, but other kids do, and we were laughed at and made fun of because we didn't get any christmas presents or share in any of the festivities at school..........

nita6368

I used to hate December, I hated always having to say "I don't celebrate Christmas" everytime someone wished me Merry Christmas. When I was closer to leaving , I substituted Thank-You

cruzanheart

Yes, this one is more relaxed! We aren't celebrating it yet but it's nice to not worry about whether the kids are watching an Evil Christmas Show (good thing, too -- Steven Tyler was a guest on Lizzie McGuire's Christmas show and I wanted to watch it too!), and we've always enjoyed looking at the lights. We've always given the kids a set amount of money the day after Christmas and turned them loose in the toy store to buy whatever they want and they seem to like that just fine. And I'm singing along with the Christmas songs like I've done it all of my life!

Nina

Country Girl

November and December were always hard months for me, when I was a child and now as an adult. I celebrate Christmas now, but it's the anniversaries of both my brother's and grandmother's deaths that fall in those months, too. When I was a kid, it was always hard to hear what the other kids got as presents, and not be able to have that same excitement of waking up on Christmas morning to a bunch of presents. Being asked constantly what I got for Christmas and answering "nothing." Not being able to sing certain songs.. not being able to draw certain things in art class. It was so tiresome. Yes, I had a lot of stress during that month! I do remember when I was in second grade that I got sent to the principal's office for telling the other kids that there was no such thing as Santa Claus, it was a lie. Heheheeh.

CG

Nancy K

I have always loved the first snowfall, and all the 'natural' beauty of this season..It makes me sad, that I let the JW's mess up my, and in turn my kids' heads about Christmas..I had a tree for years, as my husband wasn't involved..But my kids' had so much stress at school the month of Dec. When I think back, it really makes me cry, that they had all that stress. And it makes me pretty angry at the org.The way they disregard children's feelings..I used to see some sisters beat the cr*p out of their kids 'in the back' or in the ladies room of the 'hall' for being kids...Any of you younger ones out there, if you're 'out' and hopefully 'out' with your parents, or other siblings..Let the healing begin..Love each other, hug one another and have a warm, cozy holiday...Because speaking from my heart, as a Mother, I love my children and you're parents love you too, it's just as parents, sometimes we want the best for you, but we make mistakes too, and many of us made the mistake of getting into the JW's, thinking it was thee best thing for our whole families! It was hard for me to read how you made that decoration and went home and it was a disaster..I would give my right arm for a homemade child's decoration right about now..God Bless and please have FUN! NK

jurs

I wasn't a JW when I was a kid but I can imagine the stress. As an adult it was hard!!!!! I loved December and dreaded it at the same time. Now that I'm out I believe I enjoy it more than most people do. I bought Xmas sweaters , vests and earrings. Yesterday, I was all dressed up with all my Christmas garb and I ran into some witnessess from my old hall !!!!!! jurs

jurs

NancyK,

WELCOME!!!!!! I understand how you feel. I appreciated your post. My kids missed out on holidays and I feel so much guilt!!! I remember getting very upset with my youngest for drawing pumpkins and one time ( that I know of ) she ate birthday cake! I had her pray and tell Jehovah she was sorry. Ugggggggggggg jurs

Nancy K

Jurs! LOL!!!! Girl, YOU cracked me up!! ..."Ran into witnesses in your Xmas garb!" I love it!! Ha,ha..Wish I was there, my daughter Emily will love this when I tell her...Peace..NK

TresHappy

I now look back and feel badly what some JW kids go thru during the holidays. The holidays are a stressful time of year for many, especially the elderly. I was lucky, I celebrated Christmas when I was a kid. And I feel like a kid all over again since I started celebrating again and not feeling ashamed when I hum "Oh Holy Night."

JW kids & Dec. stress

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