Reply To: Going off the Derech

far east- you make a lot of sense, and I think you’re right that a role model would help. He needs to see that you don’t have to be Haredi to be a successful Jew. But, should I keep my comments to myself? I mean, it’s kind of difficult knowing the music he’s listening to and the videos he’s watching. And it actually seems like he wants my approval, do I have to give it?

interjection-thanks for the compliment, but I don’t really feel like I’m a ‘great mother’. You also make a lot of sense, and I will try to internalize what you’ve said. May I ask you what helped you to come back to the derech?

mirik-thanks

daniela-how do you see that he’s committed to Judaism? And what if he never wants to daven? This Shabbos, he didn’t daven at all (as usual). Should I let it go completely? My husband keeps trying to get him to go, but it ends up in an argument. Instead of waking my son up and telling him to go daven, I’ll usually ask him if he wants to go, but he always says no. A counselor that I spoke with said, I shouldn’t comment on any mitsvos he doesn’t do. Those are between him and Hashem. Only issues related to derech eretz, or responsibility etc.