Q: My 12 y.o. son's mother still has him sleep with her. Is this regarded as acceptable legally? He is pre-pubescent.

A: It's really not clear what you mean by she has him sleep with her. But there is nothing wrong with humans sharing a bed in a non-sexual way. In some cultures this is a necessity due to space restrictions or because there is no other way to keep warm. It might be completely inappropriate if it had sexual overtones. I am not a child psychologist but I would agree that in order to form one independence and self esteem as a developing male your son probably should have his own room and his own bed and be encouraged to migrate there. I would go and talk to a child psychologist or behavioral specialist about this and find out what the experts generally recommend and then find some way to bring mom into the discussion. She may have to deal with her own emotional reasons for not wanting her baby to grow up and not need her. Or it maybe that your son has some issues that are holding him back developmentally. Boys can mature later then girls and this doesn't have to mean that there is anything wrong, but as I said, do your research and then figure out where your son is at and what is best. You can take this to the point of involving attorneys and the court but that could be very expensive. It might be cheaper to foster your son's independence from his mother when you have over night parenting time. Then you can positively reinforce the idea that he wants to be a big boy and do what big boys do and he might start to insist on more separation from his mother when he returns home. Mediation or family counseling could be another option. Just don't make your son feel like he is in the middle of a feud with you and the mother whatever you do.