Yep, some moms are really masters of the "guilt trip"! She ought to get an Oscar for that piece of dramatic writing!
I'm 46 and I still occasionally get that kind of trip from my JW parents. It used to infuriate me, but now I can just laugh it off. I really think they can't help themselves sometimes.
I'm more protective of my son though, when my parents or ex-husband try to guilt him like that. He's younger (20) and younger people are still a bit more attached to their parents opinions than us middle-agers. So I get your concern, Flipper. For me, there is just the tiniest little bit of fear that it might work some day, and I will lose my best bud back to that religion. Now that would really break this mother's heart!
I'll tell you what my ex said to my son a few months ago. My ex had just been reproved for adultery and was divorcing me. My son wanted to live with his dad, try bacheloring it with the old man, and I was sad but OK with it. Then my ex told my son he couldn't live with him and his new wife unless he came back to the JW's as he was bad association. It seems my son said the f-bomb too much and that they didn't want him around the little step sister, being a bad influence and all.
I laughed at the nerve of this when I first heard it. So let me get this straight....my son is bad association because he doesn't go to meetings and drops the f-bomb once in a while, but you and your girlfriend have just been publicly reproved for actually f**king other people's spouses and that doesn't make YOU bad association for the kid? Like I said, I had to laugh at the sheer nerve and hypocrisy of it!
However, when I saw that my son was actually feeling hurt and rejected by this, I became livid. Mama tiger came out. How dare you make my son feel unworthy of you and your crap religion?
I was really proud of him though. He told his dad, "thanks but no thanks, the cheap rent isn't worth the price your asking". I am proud of that boy sometimes! Heavy metal listening, satanic t-shirt wearing little rocker that he is! Anyway, he's living with me now and we get along better than ever and we are both just so relaxed now!
I think your son will be just fine too, Flipper. Not many young people can resist the unconditional love and acceptance of the non-JW parent. In the end, that's all most kids want.
So, this thread and email has really just made me want to hear your son's "Rebel" song that made his mother get so bent out of shape. Can you post a link?
Cog