Reply To: Going off the Derech

aries2756-sorry I didn’t write sooner. We are getting close to our simcha, while trying to juggle how to handle our son, with how to prepare for visiting family.

Thanks for your advice. Someone said something interesting to my husband about his OTD kid living at home while being mechalel Shabbos, in ripped blue jeans etc. He said he told his son, “Just like you wouldn’t want anyone to try and make you Haredi, I don’t want anyone trying to make my other kids secular. It is for this reason, I ask you to respect our wishes just like you expect us to respect yours”. His kid is actually complying. Not sure if it would work on everyone, but…

As far as the coming home issue, I’ve had a few conversations with my son since then, and I think I understand him better. We are trying to get him to consider a dormitory style yeshiva, which I think will solve a lot of issues for both of us. I just hope he stays safe until we can get him settled someplace…if he’ll agree.