C0 - Sleeping

I have a vary good friend who is going through a divorce. The family when it was intact, choose to sleep with their 8 year old doughter. Now the parents are seperate the father continues to sleep with his 8 year old doughter. I feel that it is wrong but I cant tell/know why. It just feels innapropriate. He tells me things that I just feel is wrong.

I am close to this 8 year old (god father) and feel that this child may be at risk. When I ask her where she sleeps, she lies. He is open about it but she will cover. I just dont know what to do. I fear for her emotional health.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Art,

If you enjoy a positive relationship with this girl's father, perhaps you can engage him in a discussion about this. It's generally not a good idea for children to sleep with their parents. In particular, when children get older the situation can become more complicated because of the physical closeness and the anxiety this can precipitate as children's awareness of sexual feelings emerge.

From the tone of your note, it sounds like you may suspect that the contact already may involve mistreatment. If that is the cae, it's important to take some action. Talking with the father is a sensible first step. If that is not helpful, voicing your concern to appropriate authorities in your jurisdiction might become necessary.