I was raised a JW - never baptized. My entire family ( 4 sisters, 1 brother ) were dunked at a pretty young age (12-15).
Narrative? I don’t really have one. I never believed it, not because of some philosophical difference mind you. Mainly because I was a normal boy, (um, as normal as a JDub can be that is) interested in normal things. Like girls, playing video games, basketball, etc. When being a witness got in the way of those things I rebelled. Was dragged in the back room after meetings a few times, there was an announcement of my being “bad association” from the platform one night.
Anyway, I just never cared enough to give a crap about what some older guys in the hall thought of me. I always found it odd that my parents allowed themselves to be controlled like they did (and do).
My wife is a jdub and we are expecting in a few months. I am working on her now but I dont know how its going to work once the child is older.
Tough road ahead. You say your step kids? So, are you living with them? If so, you can be the balance. That is my plan.
They will be free to go to meetings with their mother...but that means they will be free to celebrate holidays with their father.