Child wants to call parents' partners 'mom' and 'dad'
Dear Amy: My ex and I have been separated for a year, and divorced for three months. My boyfriend and I have been together for almost a year.
My 7-year-old daughter asked if she could call him "Daddy."
I told her no. I explained that she has one mom and one dad, and that when we get remarried one day she will have a bonus mom and dad.
Well, last night she informed me that her daddy doesn't care what she calls his girlfriend (they've been together for six months), so she is going to call her "Mom." My ex said he sees nothing wrong with this.
My daughter also informed me that her daddy and his girlfriend take baths together.
What they do at their house is their business, but I think this is inappropriate for our two children (we also have a 3 year old) to be exposed to it. What do you think?
I come from a broken home where men went through a revolving door and I called all of them "Dad."
I don't want my kids to grow up like that, nor do I want them to think that it's OK to take a bath with someone of the opposite sex.
-- Upset Ex
Dear Upset: If you don't want your children to grow up as you did, then you shouldn't confuse nomenclature with behavior.
...continued
