It is sad when the jw cannot see the damage to the relationships within thier own families, especially their children. My kids are grown now and out of the house. I guess I would say not quite half of their life was affected by jw-ism and dad being gone all the time. In those days there were still two meetings a week, his bs study, sat fs and naturally the sun meeting which is what? nearly 3-4 hours gone. Add work and daily life, chores, etc... and there is not much left over for family time or at least what my kids were used to when they had a dad that lived for them and what great fun we would have this weekend? it was quite a shock to all.
It was a hard fight but I never, ever let my kids near a kh and did all I could so he could not preach at them. It was a difficult time to say the least but much healing has been done in the years since.
I think my kids have come to forgive him but much damage was done and one day not long ago one of the kids said "it's not like we have a real relatiionship" in reference to dad. Sad. They love their dad but sadly he still does not see that he had anything to do with loss of relationship, I'm not even sure he realizes the kids feel that way. I'm sure the elders told him he was being a good example by all the meetings and so forth. Funny, because he had a relative that went to church everyday and had negative things to say about that!
As I said they love their dad and hope and pray he will one day leave the cult. They have become Christians who walk the walk and try to show him love above all else. I am proud of them, they have become fine human beings who care about their fellow man but allow free will and are not obnoxious about their faith. I couldn't ask for more, they are truly great kids.
I would write more but don't want to slip up and give anything away.
Hang in there Cognac, life will get better. Just gotta get throught his crappy part somehow.
in my thoughts,
carla