this is not a new topic but one i had a chance to ponder recently.
the dubs taught any parties in a person's honor puffed them up with pride and hence jehoopla hated them.
ex--birthdays, graduations, etc.
I didn't have a JW grad party, but I was fortunate enough to be able to attend my grad with my school friends. My parents used to buy me presents for good grades at the end of the school year which was nice. But I never had any special parties.
I had wedding and baby showers from JWs and people at work. I felt especially awkward by the generosity of my work colleagues. Maybe because I'm just a self conscious person?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18770328#g1a39h1.68w80.74c167 .
my life has to change pretty quickly!
!.
I'm like someone from Ethiopia. Maybe I should eat some steak!
it comes on the national geographic channel and it's about young people who choose to leave the amish faith/way of life, the backlash from their families, and their adjustment to the "outside" world.
it's fascinating for me to watch.
some of the experiences are unique to amish, but so much of it is similar to what people feel when they decide they no longer want to be witnesses.
I watched the series with my husband and we both had tears during some of the episodes dealing with shunning. One of the Amish boys left without having family on the outside and was in a very bad car accident. He then had no job, no money, and a bunch of hospital bills. He went home to see his family and was told to leave and not come back if he wasn't going to stay permanently.
It is so sad to watch people try and reach out to their family, only to be turned away. The Amish that leave are so brave to enter a foreign world with little education. It is nice to see them succeed and rebuild their lives.
if i understand it correctly, strollers are not allowed at us conventions.. in sweden, a letter was written to the congregation, introducing this new rule.
however, quite a few families wrote letters to the society,.
asking if they wanted families with children to attend the assemblies or not... it was stated that they would not go unless strollers were allowed.. the society pulled back, allowing strollers in designated areas.. in norway, they didn t even bother to introduce the rule in the first place... .
At our DC in Western Canada, we were informed not to bring strollers because it is a fire hazard. They also disallowed lawn chairs many years ago, that ill people used to rest on. We also were told not to bring car seats in unless they could fit on the chair (which the totally didn't), and no glass containers or large "family sized" coolers.
There were so many rules it was getting ridiculous. No outside food was to be brought into the building, not even coffee. No buying ice cream from the store across the street from the convention.
Once I had children I realized how unfriendly Watchtower world was to families and children which helped me realize I didn't want to raise my children with so many restrictions.
i wish i could be one those women who absolutely love pregnancy, i really do.
but i honestly don't care for it at all.
it was the same with my first pregnancy.
I hope this pregnancy will be easier for you! I couldn't imagine throwing up during labor.
During my second pregnancy I was sick for the first trimester, but it thankfully went away. Being pregnant in the summer is difficult too! You get extra hot and uncomfortable.
Wishing you all the best!
this is a serious question.. i know people that hear/feel god (and see postings about people's experiences), but i have not experienced this.
i have never heard anything audibly (or otherwise) nor "felt" anything inwardly.. i've prayed, read, quieted my thoughts, etc...but still nothing..
I'm currently reading "How God Changes Your Brain" by Andrew Newberg, and it mentions how different parts of the brain are responsible for the different experiences people have about God. The temporal lobes enables some people to experience hearing God. Others can experience an emotional connection, while others do not experience anything.
Meditation or prayer can have a positive affect on the brain, whether one is spiritual or not.
If you're open to the idea of spirituality or God, I would keep exploring. I don't really believe there is a God, but I can still experience peace when reading the Bible, listening to certain music, or being in nature. Sometimes I would say I feel connected to God, but it is more of a connection with realizing I'm part of the Universe.
first of all,i do not have grandparents,and i don't have children.
but,i was curious about how some of you would react if your witness parents showed the new video,"listen,obey,and be blessed" to your young children.
i personally know of at least a few grandparents who are probably anxious to show this video to their grandchildren.
We're fading and live in a convention town the inlaws travel to (fun!) My husband's parents and siblings are unaware of our status, so we will be away for the weekend they are here for the convention to avoid letting the cat out of the bag. One of the sister in laws is super annoying, and she would probably want to watch that video with our children. Thankfully this won't happen.
I will also never leave my children with the witness inlaws to avoid them trying to indoctrinate them. I have also tried to teach my children about different beliefs, and explained how the witness family has beliefs we no longer agree with.
so it does not seem like im dealing very well.
its been 6 month since we have stopped going to the meeting.
embarssing in front of co-worker and my new supervisor.
((((so confused)))))
It sounds like you're going through a really tough time right now. The postpartum period is a very difficult time, especially if you have little support and have to go back to work. On top of that, you're also adjusting to a change in your belief system, and are feeling pressure from your family to go back to their religion.
That is wonderful you have an appointment with a therapist coming up in a few weeks. If you feel like you need to talk to someone before then, please seek help or talk to your doctor.
Last year I left the religion and was pregnant shortly after. It was a difficult adjustment and put a huge strain on our marriage. I have found therapy has been really helpful, and also talked to my doctor about postpartum depression and have help for that.
I suffed from anxiety postpartum, and was afraid of any knock on the door in case it was a witness. Please don't feel like you're overreacting, you may just be suffering from anxiety. Perhaps you could kindly tell your relatives that you are suffering from PPD and don't want to discuss religion right now.
I sent you a PM. Take care!
so my husband and i have a son who will be 2 years old next month and i really wanted him to be socialized more.
ever since we stopped going to meetings, we have been pretty much shunned even though there has never been an "official" reason for it (df, da..).
i am terribly introverted, so it's difficult for me to get out there and talk to people but our son is a people-person and i wanted him to have more peers to be around.
Hopefully your nausea will pass soon. I was also sick for my first trimester with my second child and it was no fun!
If your husband doesn't work weekends, maybe he could take your child to gymnastics, swimming, or another drop in group so you can have a rest? We like to go to Chapters bookstore on Saturdays. They have stories and toys for the children to play with, and I get Starbucks.
so my husband and i have a son who will be 2 years old next month and i really wanted him to be socialized more.
ever since we stopped going to meetings, we have been pretty much shunned even though there has never been an "official" reason for it (df, da..).
i am terribly introverted, so it's difficult for me to get out there and talk to people but our son is a people-person and i wanted him to have more peers to be around.
Please don't be hard on yourself, you are just being a good Mom! Sometimes I miss that sense of instant community for my kids. I'm also very introverted and find it difficult to go do social things. My almost 4 year old is super social and will be starting preschool this fall to be around other children.
Our local library has lots of drop in story times for babies-preschoolers that are free. And the YMCA also has some free parent programs where you will meet really nice people.
We also just head to the playground and my little guy plays with the other children there.
I wouldn't worry too much about socialization, my little guy is still super social and we didn't attend very many activities or have playdates. He talks to me a lot during the day, and I try and keep him busy.
The United Universalist church is for anyone, agnostic, athiest, Buddhist, etc. The children's group there might be fun.
When are you due? I hope your pregnancy has been going well.
