my mother-in -law told me recently that it is against the law for a brother and sister to share the same bedroom. my son (2) and my step-daughter (5) share a room. we only have my step- daughter every other weekend so it's not a big deal and they don't care. they have seperate beds, of course. i think my mother-in-law is trying to start trouble b/c she talks to my step-daughter's mom a lot and for some reason she doesn't want any of us to get along. anyway, i just want to know if we are doing anything wrong. any info will help. oh yeah, we live in tennessee.
2007-03-01 05:23:17 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
The only time I have ever heard of this is in cases where you have foster kids, they can only share a room with kids of the same sex and age group. I have not heard of brothers and sisters not being able to do so. I am not even sure who you would contact to find out, maybe the local police station will be able to find that out for you?
2007-03-01 05:34:32 · answer #1 · answered by Question Addict 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Law that you speak of is Is in most 50 States but it has been taken out of context. The law refers to renters not home owners.
Simple solution since your step daughter is there mostly on the weekends and its a matter of there is no other place to put her, invest in a wall screen that can be put away opening up the room when she isn't there.
Sounds to me though that even after that problem is solved the mother in law will find another.
2007-03-01 11:28:26 · answer #2 · answered by Marla D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd check with you child protective agency to find the rules they use for foster care situations. That should give you some guidelines. I know for the military that when the oldest is about age 5 you qualify for separate rooms for opposite sex children when going into base housing. But I don't know of any state that has laws governing this for families.
However, I'd be a bit concerned about MIL talking this over with the step-daughter's mom. If she has a problem with it this issue could come up in future custody hearings. You might want to talk with her to see what her comfort level is...well, depending on the amicability of your situation.
2007-03-01 07:20:34 · answer #3 · answered by Critter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Tennessean also. In the 1970s if I remember correctly
It was recommended that once siblings of the opposite sex reached the age of 4/5 they must have separate rooms. But if you want a more defined answer contact child services and make an inquiry.
2007-03-01 05:34:36 · answer #4 · answered by Tennessee Mom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i live in pa and my brother and i shared a toom until i was 12 and he was 10 i also have 4 kids 3 girls and 1 boy and my son 7 and my daughter 4 share a room and i have talked to child services and they said there is no set age it is up to you
2007-03-01 05:42:31 · answer #5 · answered by christie d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's sounds like your mother-in-law is a true trouble maker. Two small children sharing a room is not against the law.
2007-03-01 05:35:14 · answer #6 · answered by ricepat2000 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
this is not really an answer. but i think people should mind their business..suppose your a parent who has two children and can only afford to have a two bedroom apartment... i think as long as they are livng in safe conditions fine...it would bifferent if he was 15 and she was 5 or two..but i think it would be good to find out what the law says...great question.
2007-03-01 06:24:10 · answer #7 · answered by weary minded 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't say about Tennessee, but here in South Carolina, those rules are for foster care or adoption, not your own children or sleep overs. Your best bet would be to contact DSS in your home state.
2007-03-01 05:30:30 · answer #8 · answered by nursesr4evr 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
that seem ridiculous to me! my girls are 3&4yrs they share a room & on non school nights their 7yr old brother likes to sleep on the floor in their room. there is nothing wrong with it in my mind as long as they get along and everyone is okay with it. your mother-in-law seems to have other issues & is using something like this to bring you down. don't let her--do your research and good luck to you.
2007-03-01 06:41:54 · answer #9 · answered by mama of 4+extras? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In alot of states this is illegal...what you need to do is contact your local department of children and family services and ask them what the state law is.
2007-03-01 05:28:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anita G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋