Step parent duties.

[Pottyone]

Is it classed as 'ok' for a step parent to bath step children of the opposite sex?

[B00]

Of course it is, why on earth shouldn't it be?

Unless of course the step child is 16, then i'd guess it's a no!

[Pottyone]

Just doing a bit of a straw poll to clear up a difference of opinion amongst friends.

[ummmm]

Yes.....why not?

[zzxxee]

yes of course as long as both parent child and step parent were ok with this

[sophie_1003]

Of course it is! I babysit three children, two girls and a boy and have often bathed them, I would see more problems rising from that sort of situation compared to step-parents!

[Pottyone]

Fair enough. Up to what age kids would you think it ok for a mum's boyfriend to be in the bathroom with the kids.

[zzxxee]

around 4 or 5

[Pottyone]

Thats what I thought. Any more opinions on age limit please?

[ummmm]

It depends on too many factors. The comfort of the children being the main one.

[hc4361]

Mum's boyfriend is different to step parent, though.

[sophie_1003]

It depends how long he has been the boyfriend, my mates mum was dating a guy for years, they never got married but he was pretty much her step dad, in that case I would say the same age as any parent would be.

[Pottyone]

Boyfriend, they don't live together though they have all been on a holiday together. Been together maybe a year. The girl is 9 which I thought was a little old, hence querying it.

[ummmm]

I would say that was a little too old for the simple reason a 9 year old should be able to bath themselves...!!!

[hc4361]

Just got back to this.
He should not be having intimate contact with this child at all. He is still new to the family and it doesn't matter whether the child is a boy or a girl, he should not be bathing them.

[Pottyone]

My opinion too hc4361. Though I am pretty sure nothing untoward is going on, I also think he should be realising how it could look to others.