Q I have been divorced for almost 20 years. My grandson is 8 and my granddaughter is 4. I have been in a relationship for a year, and my grandchildren are used to seeing us together. I think my granddaughter is jealous of my boyfriend even though he has been good to her. She has hit him, said mean things to him when I'm not looking and even though we have had little talks about her behavior, she continues. I sometimes have the kids stay overnight at my house, and they usually sleep with me. How do I handle him sleeping with me when they are here?

A We'll tell you the same thing we tell parents who have new love interests and want to know how to handle sleeping together in front of the kids — don't do it unless you are confident the relationship has a future.

Just because the kids are used to seeing you together doesn't mean he will be a permanent fixture. And, since you imply he has a place of his own, we suggest he sleep there when the grandkids are around.

If you marry or move in together, then there is a sense of permanency and that's when we would suggest you announce your intent to be together to your family — including the grandkids.

Grandparents' actions have a huge impact on their grandchildren, and you are probably correct in speculating that there are jealousy issues.

Sleeping with an adult can be comforting for both child and adult — and a special treat if Mom and Dad don't let their child sleep with them. However,

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when an adult allows a child to sleep in his or her bed regularly, then kicks them out when a new partner spends the night, he or she is putting the child in direct competition with the new partner.

So, what to do? Same things we suggest to parents when integrating new partners. Lots of fun day trips, maybe some one-on-one time without Grandma, lots of extended family time together.

And when it's bedtime, even when he's not visiting, make sure the grandkids have a bed of their own. Then, when your relationship has progressed to it being time for him to stay, they won't feel kicked out of Grandma's life in order to make room for him.

Jann Blackstone-Ford and her husband's ex-wife, Sharyl Jupe, authors of "Ex-Etiquette for Parents," are the founders of Bonus Families (bonusfamilies. com). Reach them at ee@bonusfamilies.com.