Reply To: Going off the Derech

ana mia-It’s not like we haven’t offered him something else. We offered college, computer classes, karate etc. Even low pressure yeshivas where you can wear whatever you want, and learn only a few hours. The rest of the day is (ie) working on the farm, playing sports, learning computers etc. But he won’t go anywhere without his friends. His identity is too bound up with his friends right now, and he can’t separate.

I used to be extremely worried about my other kids, and to some extent, I still am. However, he is so unpleasant to them and us, he screams at them, and is obviously not the kid he used to be. I don’t think they want to be in his shoes, also bc they see how much pain he is causing us. They may have their own temptations, and hopefully now, my husband and I are a little bit smarter and forewarned. We also know that Hashem is running the show, and we just hope and pray to be spared from any more of this.