These kind of good experiences with our children, really warm my heart.
I was a "born in", and my whole childhood was in the "truth". We all know the deal, NO Christmas, birthdays, holidays, organized sports, no real emphasis on higher education, and all that. Even as a "normal" boy growing up, I wanted to play with certain toys, but couldn't. No play guns, no army men, no GI Joes. It may not sound like a big deal now, but when you are a child, it is EVERYTHING.
I feel that certain aspects of my childhood were stolen from me. I do have to say, though, that my family DID go on many vacations. We DID have one day a year, called "family day", where my parents gave me and my sister some gifts. It was an attempt to make up for lack of Christmas and B days.
My parents are still alive, and now I have my own children. Its funny but, I believe my parents are kind of "awake" now. My father, a few years ago, made an attempt to try and apologize for bringing us up in the Borg, but I kinda stopped him before he said it, and said it was all OK. For some reason, I couldn't let my Father feel burdened with him thinking that, so I laid it to rest, before it even started.
My real way of making this RIGHT, is raising my daughters. We enjoys life to the fullest. I am lucky enough to be self employed, and be able to have REAL time to spend with my daughters. We live a financially comfortable life, but not at the expense of me being a Father who works constantly and misses my children growing up.
I have been there from the beginning, and can enjoy ALL their activities, and whatever things they are involved in. We enjoy holidays, we enjoy birthdays, we enjoy being a stable, loving family. There is no stress to slave for an organization that doesn't give two shits about you. There is no unnecessary pressure put upon my children to have to live up to man made rules, and expectations. My love for them is not conditional on if they are "spiritually" strong enough. My love for them is not conditional on if they are striving for "privileges" in a man made organization.
It is REAL love. A love for them, and for the beautiful hearts they have, and the wonderful young humans they truly are. I am proud of the job I did raising them AWAY from the "truth". They are kind hearted, well intentioned, decent, and real human beings. I helped them be this way, by NOT raising them in the "truth".