# My Dad’s New Girlfriend Is the One Person Who Should Be Off Limits

> A teen babysitter becomes dad’s new girlfriend, sparking family tension.
- Title: My Dad’s New Girlfriend Is the One Person Who Should Be Off…
- Summary: A teen babysitter becomes dad’s new girlfriend, sparking family tension. A 25-year-old writes to Dear Prudence about her dad dating a former babysitter who…
- Keywords: baba, dad, sister, seahawks, nfl, prudence, sibling, family, teen, babysitter, divorce, relationship
- Source: Slate Magazine — https://slate.com/advice/2026/10/dear-prudence-dad-new-girlfriend-off-limits.html?via=rss
- Author: Jenée Desmond-Harris
- Published: 2026-10-10T12:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: baba, dad, sister, seahawks, nfl, prudence, sibling, family, teen, babysitter, divorce, relationship
## Dear Prudence
My parents divorced five years ago after a three decades-long nightmare of a marriage.
## Dad’s New Girlfriend
Two months ago, my dad began seeing a new woman who used to babysit me and my sister when we were in elementary school.
## Age Gap
She was 16 when she babysat for me and my sister, and I am now 25.
## Feeling Squicked
They seem happy, but I’m really kind of squicked out by it.
## Dad’s Past
Your dad knew this woman as a teen and changed her status from "a child in my community" to "someone he’s sexually interested in."
## Dad’s Reaction
He would have hoped the memory of her showing up at your house as a high school student with a backpack would be hard to shake.
## Dad’s Current Situation
But that didn’t happen, so he’s now dating a woman who was 16 when he was dating my mom.
## Dad’s Age Gap
The massive age gap between them makes it hard for me to accept this relationship.
## Dad’s Request
Can I ask my dad to break it off with her?
## Dad’s Response
I don’t blame you for being squicked! While they are two consenting adults, your dad knew this woman as a teen.
## Dad’s Past Behavior
It’s doesn’t feel great to think about how easily he was able to change her status from "a child in my community" to "someone he’s sexually interested in."
## Dad’s Current Happiness
I would have hoped that the memory of her showing up at your house as a high school student with a backpack on as he left for date night with your mom would be hard…
## Dad’s Realization
But that didn’t happen, so he’s now dating a woman who was 16 when he was dating my mom.
## Dad’s Advice
You can tell him why you’re having a hard time adjusting to the situation.
## Key takeaway

A 25-year-old writes to Dear Prudence about her dad dating a former babysitter who was 16 when she babysat for them.