How do we intervene with this strange and slightly creepy relationship?

[hollowSamurai986]

My sister is sixteen years old. Our father's best friend is twenty-three years old.

After seven years of oblivion, my mother and I have figured out they fancy each other. Now, they have never done a single thing about it - it's so far just a mental thing, which is good,right?? But they do talk a lot on facebook, and text each other constantly. They do not know we know.

How can we tell them we know, and intervene effectively without destroying relationships within the family? Please help!

[L.I.F.E]

Can't you guys just be casual about it. Don't make it seem like you're ready to give her an intervention or something. Just be like hey what's up with you and dad's best friend.

[sunny6_21]

Honestly, 7 years isnt that big of a deal, especially as they get older. 40 and 47 doesnt seem like a big deal does it? I wouldn't do anything drastic, let their relationship play out. If they end up dating when she is 18 and he is 25, it will be okay. If he is your fathers best friend, he is most likely a fairly good guy. They might just enjoy flirting, and it could go nowhere in the end.

[Alexander Jones]

Tell her that you know, and how it makes you feel. But make sure you don't interfere as you are trying to do. They don't need an intervention, and it's best if you let them do what they want. You don't want her to hate you for no reason, because this is really not even close to being a problem. If the relationship gets physical before she's at the age of consent (usually 16-18 in most places), then it's really a problem and you should step in. If this is the case, make sure that you're only restricting them from being physical, and only until she's legal. Chances are, they'll lose interest in each other if they can't be physical, and if they don't, then there is an emotional connection, which is a great thing and shouldn't be thought of as a problem.