Q: Can I do anything to stop my ex husband from leaving our 14 yr old alone overnight?
We share 50/50 custody. I recognize I am the more protective parent, but don't believe a 14 year old should left alone overnight. My ex said this: "Not sure when you are leaving but you can drop HIM off in the morning. Or the day before he is fine being by himself." I was trying to plan a college visit with our daughter to Alabama and this was his response when asked if he could take our son a day early... I have since made other arrangements for our son for the day I am flying out with our daughter. In the future, however, is there anything I can do to prevent our son from being left alone overnight at my ex's house?
A: Before you do anything you should ask yourself a few questions. Has your 14-year-old son complained about unsafe or dangerous conditions while he's alone? Are you overreacting? Skewing facts? Using your son as a pretext for some ulterior motive? Or, is it just bothering you that your ex-husband has unilateral control over his son during his parenting time? Saying you recognize that you're "the more protective parent" suggests that you might be resentful and acrimonious toward your ex-husband. Making disparaging remarks, discrediting your ex-husband's parenting style, trying to micromanage his affairs, or spreading negative insinuations is rarely a good thing. Moreover, it can be especially harmful if you're doing it in front of your son. Both you and your ex-husband are equally responsible for caring for your children. You shouldn't portray yourself as the superior parent simply because your ex-husband has a different parenting style.
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