Reply To: Going off the Derech

ana mia-we’re trying!

smc-thanks for your post. I did give him a pack of cigarettes, and like you said, he was very happy. But the closeness doesn’t last. And I think you are right, that it’s mostly depression. We are trying to do things that will help him to get close to us again.

But what about you?? Isn’t there someone you feel you could turn to? Your parents? An Uncle? A Rebbi? It’s hard to motivate yourself when you’re depressed, that’s why it’s so important to have the right support. My son went down this path already, music, movies etc. It only gets worse. If I could turn the clock back, although my son refused to allow anyone to help him, I would throw him over my shoulder and carry him to the nearest counselor to get him the help he needed.