If you feel that your ex is exposing your children to unnecessary risks, you may – very understandably – be stressed and wondering whether you have any legal options that can help you keep your kids safer. Thankfully, understanding how to address these concerns constructively can help protect your children and maintain a workable co-parenting relationship.
In Alaska, where outdoor activities and remote environments are facts of life, disagreements about what is “safe” for children can quickly become contentious. As a result, you and your ex need to get on the same page when it comes to safety-related standards and expectations. You can then work with a skilled legal team to formalize them in your parenting plan. If you and your ex cannot agree on these standards and you remain worried about your children’s safety, it may be time to get the courts involved.
Working to achieve a resolution
While each of you may have different tolerances for risk, discussing – and ideally agreeing – on basic safety measures can help you both avoid misunderstandings. For instance, agreeing that children should wear helmets when engaging in outdoor activities like biking, skiing or snowmobiling provides a common ground for prioritizing safety. Framing your discussions around what is best for the kids can help reduce defensiveness and increase the likelihood of cooperation.
With that being said, if your ex repeatedly allows your children to participate in dangerous activities without proper precautions, documenting specific incidents is a good idea. Write down dates, locations and details about the risky behavior or lack of supervision. This record can provide valuable context if the situation escalates and you need to seek legal intervention. For instance, if you’re concerned about your child’s exposure to extreme weather conditions without appropriate gear or supervision, documenting these instances can serve as evidence if you later seek a modification to your custody arrangement.
Ultimately, when bringing up your concerns, try to communicate calmly and directly with your ex. Accusations or emotional responses can lead to defensiveness, making it more difficult to reach an understanding. Instead, approach the issue from a position of concern for your children’s safety. And, if necessary, you can loop in an experienced legal team to better ensure that your communication leads to a meaningful resolution.
