A friend of mine has two children, a girl age 8 and a boy age 11 who are still sharing the same room. When I mentioned that I thought that was inappropriate at their age for many reasons, they felt it was acceptable, thinking it fostered a closer brother/sister relationship.. Am I being a prude? Shouldn't there be some more modesty and privacy between boys and girls. The house is sufficiently big with enough rooms for them to have their own.

Hello Lena,

I have to agree with you. I don't think that at age 11 is appropriate. I think that even 8 is pushing the envelope.

Do they have an extra bedroom?

I know that some households, money is tight and the parents can't afford to buy another house with an extra bedroom. So, kids are having to end up sharing a bedroom with one another.

There really isn't a set age to separate them, but I have to agree with Enigma1999. If they have enough rooms, then each should have their own.

I'm surprised that the kids aren't asking for their own space.

Some localities may have laws governing this. But I would have to agree, the ages here are too old to be sharing, especially when there is room to have their own rooms.

My rule of thumb is when puberty starts a child should not be sharing a room with the opposite sex.

It's amazing that there has to be a law in some places, to tell parents that letting an 11 year old and an 8 year old share a bedroom, is illegal. Really, how many common sense laws can there be. How about, it is illegal for opposite sex siblings ages 8 and 11, to have their baths together too.

Common sense dictates that kids of this age, should not, under any circumstances, share a bedroom. Any reasonable person would agree with that. Your concern is not unreasonable, but her explanation for allowing it, is.

She's right in one respect. They will forge a bond all right, and it has the potential for some unpleasant issues as a result.

Maybe help in another way. Make some general enquiries in your area, or online, or to other parents you know (that don't know her), and arm yourself with facts and opinions. See if your research can persuade her to separate these kids at bedtime.

And, you are a good friend to broach the subject with her in the first place.