Care and Feeding is Slate’s parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here .

Dear Care and Feeding,

My son’s dad “Theo” and I have a strained parenting relationship. I try to keep things basic, and if our son is safe, fed, and going to school, I stay out of Theo’s custody time. But I’m worried his house is dangerous and I don’t know how to find out more, since he won’t let me in.

Our son is 6, so he’s not the most reliable narrator. But he’s been raising some red flags. After a recent weekend, he said, “Daddy fell through the floor!” I asked Theo about it, and he said, “Kids exaggerate, I was working on the flooring, and he was worried I would fall in.” But I don’t know if I believe him, and the house has always been a flashpoint between us.

Sho

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