Okay, defd, I started a new topic so we won't continue to hijack Panic Attack's thread. The reason why I didn't answer you back is twofold: (1) I'm at work and they kind of expect me to do other things besides post on JWD; (2) my husband Chris (Big Tex) answered your question sufficiently for me so I didn't see a need to respond.
Nina i am curious as to why you didnt finish our discussion and respond to my answer? Could it be cause i was right?
was raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and I am very pleased to be able to offer my children the respect to make their own decisions about what to believe
That may what you want to do and that is your choice. The BIBLE says other wise.We as Parents are supposed to spritually TRAIN, TEACH, GUIDE our children. Do you think Marry and Joseph used that approach? Just Let Jesus decide for himself? NO they did not. Timothy was RAISED from infancy. I can go on and on.
And no i am not angry because "are you angry at us for not bowing before the Great Watchtower Money-Making Machine and for daring to be happy outside of it," i am angry because of the topic. A parent doing that to a child.
Yes, I train, teach and guide my children. HOWEVER, every day at school they are on their own. When they leave school and get jobs, they will be on their own. We show them right from wrong and encourage them to make their own decisions as long as they don't hurt anyone by doing that. So far it's working pretty well. And no, my children aren't as you described:
Your kids are the ones my kids come up and tell that i heard them cursing or sticking up the middle finger or stealing other kids things......I was at a carnival the other day and my youngest was on a ride with another kid whom we didnt know. Well, as this 6-7 yr old would come around, he would stick his finger up at the crowd.
Now thats parenting at its finest. I guess the parent of that kid had the same attitude of others who allow there children to do what they FEEL is right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The jury is still out on how they will turn out as adults. Right now they're 11 and 9 and I am very proud of both of them. They aren't perfect, but no one is. They are learning consequences of their actions. They are learning to THINK for themselves.
And as for your high and mighty attitude about how our children will turn out, let's take a look at some of the Witness kids: the boy I KNOW PERSONALLY who sexually assaulted a 4 year old, got caught (that wasn't his first offense, just the one he got caught at) and sent to juvenile detention for a year (he was 14), and was welcomed back into the same congregation as the prodigal son. Yeah, right, a TERRIFIC example of child-rearing there. But he's a Witness In Good Standing, so he must be okay around little kids, right? What about the kids leading a double life -- oh so good in front of their parents, but fornicating all over the place when no adult is around? Those kids, our peers when we were dating -- we didn't hang out with them because we thought they were bad association -- are now elders and elders' wives, raising another generation just like them.
I'm sure quite a few people here would be simply delighted to acquaint you with other stories of the wonderful Witness kids who were raised in the "mental-regulating of Jehovah."
Nina