My Toddler Said His Uncle Spent a Long Time in the Bedroom While "Babysitting." The Worst Part Is Who He Was With.

"Three weeks ago, I picked up Adam from my brother's place. During the ride home, he complained about how my brother had spent the whole time time locked in the bedroom instead of playing with him. Then he told me that his uncle wasn't alone. Locked in the bedroom with Uncle Jason was "Aunt Delia," who is Beth's sister! I managed to come up with a lame excuse that maybe they were just tired."

"When I confronted my brother, he admitted that he had been having an affair with Delia-who is, again, his wife's sister!-for the last year. He begged me not to say anything. I told him I wouldn't, and told him that he was never to create a situation like that around my son again. He agreed. I am at a complete loss here. In the moment I said I wouldn't tell my Beth, but I feel absolutely slimy about keeping this secret."

My husband and I have a three-year-old son, Adam, and my brother Jason watches him when the childcare provider is unavailable. Adam reported that Jason spent time locked in the bedroom with Aunt Delia, who is Jason’s wife's sister. Jason admitted to a yearlong affair with Delia and begged not to tell Beth; I agreed but now feel slimy keeping the secret. My husband advises staying out of it, but Adam is aware that something happened and may reveal it. The situation undermines trust in childcare, creates potential emotional harm for Beth, and complicates ongoing family interactions.

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