UK age limit of sleeping with a child

[Dylan2010]

Hi, I am new to mums net and wondered if I could get some advice. Quick summary - shared parenting with sons dad, separated 6 years, I have a house, he lives at his mums, son is 8. My son's dad doesn't seem to want to leave his mother's, purely because he gets to live there for free and he needs his mum as a babysitter as works long hrs. He insists he wants to continue having him although it's his grandma that has him. Doesn't bother me, my son is happy with the situation so so am I. The issue I have is that he doesn't have his own room as the house is over crowded and they sleep together in a double bed. Last year I found out that dad, son and dad's girlfriend were all in and I drew a line at that immediately. He assures me won't happen again. However, at what point does sharing a bed with your dad become wrong? Is there a law? Can't see anything online. If I suggest he still has his son as agreed but returns him to sleep here in his own room I know he will get funny so I wanted to know if there is a law so I can bring this to his attention.
Thanks for any advice

No there isn't a law, they stop bed sharing when they want.

No law, families co sleep all the time!! How do you think that would be enforced as a law??!! It’s not Harming anyone.

I've known people who shared a bed until they were 16. Some adults like to jump into bed with a parent if they have a close relationship. My nearly 12 yr old likes a body to snuggle up to.

However if they're being forced to do it and they don't want to bed share, they need their own bed.

I love a cuddle with him in bed on a morning I don't think anything is wrong with that but didn't know if sharing a bed as a permanent sleeping arrangement had some sort of a law. Like siblings sharing a room of opposite sex.

There’s no law.

Like siblings sharing a room of opposite sex

That’s not a law either, just a recommendation.

There's no law against siblings sharing a bedroom either either.

There are whole families that live in one room. What do you think that they do?

My 7 year old still comes into my bed a lot, but I would have a bit of a problem with him sharing with a non-relative and with the fact your son has no option of his own bed space there.

No law, but I believe if there is SS involvement, they will consider whether or not a child has their own bed/space for sleeping when assessing the suitability of the living arrangement. So if your son is sleeping there regularly and there is no bed designated as "his" it could be an issue if SS became involved for any reason.

Shouldn't think the gf will be encouraging that tbh.
Quick way to a break up imo.

Yes it's whether there is another option for the child if they don't want to share with the parent. I bought DS's dad a z-bed which he could fold away when DS wasn't there. (Same situation)

There is no law about siblings of opposite sex sharing a room.

There are rules about “overcrowding” that makes families eligible to apply for social housing.

Opposite sex siblings over the age of 10 (permanent resident) sharing a room makes a house overcrowded.

Why would there be a law to criminalise a parent giving comfort to their child at night time?
As a PP says, if social services get involved for other reasons, a lack of suitable separate sleeping arrangements can be part of a bigger picture, but it's certainly not an issue by itself.

How does your son feel about it?

No law but as dc gets older will be less happy. Blow up bed or sofa in living room? Or on dad's floor, sleeping bag and small mattress stashed behind or under bed or sofa. Definately no to gf in same bed. He's v stupid, open to allegations. It's not really suitable long term, he needs to sort something out.

And having sex in the same room, even if you think he's asleep is v inappropriate too, however quiet you think you are. Tell him that too

Thanks for the reassurances people. Not entirely sure why some of you think I have a big problem. It was a question whether it's wrong or not. I am happy my son is happy with his situation just wasn't sure if an adult and a child if related was a thing. I now know it isn't so I don't need to worry

There is now law against siblings sharing so many people seem to think that 😂 its just when you become entitled to an extra room. I know a family of 5 in a one bed flat!

Nothing weird about a child sharing a bed with parents. I slept with my mum occasionally when I was a teenager. Totally fine.

But it isn’t appropriate for children to be sleeping with adults unrelated to them, unless perhaps they see that adult as a parent. Dad’s random girlfriend doesn’t count. He needs to have girlfriend over on different nights than when he has contact with his dd.

*sorry, ds!

It's not wrong, at this age may be quite nice, but not exactly desirable all the time.
It will become inappropriate as a regular thing, although still ok occasionally, on holiday say, or if there is bed shortage because of visitors.
Lots of people have kids in one bed flat and make do with sofabed made up every night or similar.