Gary,
I just want to give you big hug. You have so much on your plate. You're poor wife...she needs hugs too!
We stopped going to meetings and one reason was the lack of love in the congregation. When my son was born one of the sisters tried to give me a thing called a Minder...its a thin stick that you are supposed to hit your child with. I wanted no part of that!
We were told even when my son was just a baby to start training him to sit in the meetings quietly. It is not normal for little children to sit quietly and listen for 2 hours while adults talk about things they don't understand.
I watched a family in our hall be brought into the back room so many times because their 3 children made noises and sat on the ground playing in front of mommy and daddy during the meetings. They were quiet...but they were playing. I also watched in the mothering room while a mother slapped her child in the face 4-5 times and told him that Jehovah hated him because he wouldn't be good. I thought I was going to throw up and I told her she was a disgrace and that I'd like to rip her ovaries out so she wouldn't have anymore babies.
We now have 2 sons - one almost 6 years old and a 16 month old. They are active, they are happy and they rarely sit still. I love them and this shows me they are healthy
If you don't want to leave the JW's just stop being an Elder. Tell the other elders you need more time to train your children and that you are stepping down..Your wife and children will appreciate it.
WG
