DEAR ABBY: My wife and I divorced 11 years ago. We had no children together. However, for the past eight years -- since the birth of her son -- we have lived together. I love the boy with all my heart and soul. Although I am not his biological father, I am his Catholic godfather, and most definitely his "dad."
Advertisement
His mother and I do not have a good relationship. If it were not for this little boy, I would not want to be around her. She sleeps with him in his bed each and every night -- and often bathes with him. She is sometimes nude; other times, she wears a bikini.
Abby, my concern is for my "son." I am turning to you for help. The counseling my ex-wife and I received from a doctor of psychology didn't help, because she rejected the advice. Things around here have become so volatile, I am desperate for any suggestion you can offer. -- BEYOND WORRY
DEAR BEYOND WORRY: Most experts in child development think that as boys and girls reach the age when they become curious about sex, sleeping and bathing nude with a parent of the opposite sex is unhealthfully stimulating.
However, if your former wife won't listen to you, and ignores a Ph.D. in psychology, she's not likely to accept advice from me. Perhaps the problem will resolve itself when the boy is old enough to tell his mother to find other sleeping arrangements.
P.S. All three of you could benefit from family counseling.