This article was co-authored by Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW. Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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If you just found out that one of your parents is cheating, it might feel like your world has been turned upside down. For ideas on how to cope with this upsetting news and confront your unfaithful parent about your concerns, read on.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I get a cheater to admit it?Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSWKelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. She is the author of “Love Hacks: Simple Solutions to Your Most Common Relationship Issues” which details the top 15 relationship issues and 3 quick solutions to each. She is also the award-winning and best-selling author of “Thriving with ADHD”. Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and was a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida.
PsychotherapistIt depends on their disposition and personality. Confronting someone with a harsher energy may get one person to tell the truth, while it may just totally shut someone else down and cause them to go on the defensive. It just entirely depends on the other person.
Tips
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Your relationship with your parent might completely change after the confrontation. If you want to have a good relationship with your parent, then tell them.Thanks
Warnings
- Don’t go through your parent’s phone or computer to find “proof” of an affair. It’s one thing if you saw a text or email by accident, but if you’re snooping, your parent may get mad at you for invading their privacy.[18]Thanks
- Don’t use the affair as a weapon or bartering chip. For instance, don’t threaten to tell your other parent. You’ll just strain your relationship.[19]Thanks
- Be cautious about telling your other parent about the affair. Even if you feel like they deserve to know, it’s possible that they’d get upset with you for telling them, or that they’re already aware.[20]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.today.com/health/my-father-cheating-my-mother-wbna26758512
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/jan/04/familyandrelationships
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html
- ↑ https://www.today.com/health/my-father-cheating-my-mother-wbna26758512
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/jan/04/familyandrelationships
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html
- ↑ Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW. Psychotherapist. Expert Interview. 11 June 2020.
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/some-assembly-required/201703/how-have-difficult-conversations
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/some-assembly-required/201703/how-have-difficult-conversations
- ↑ https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/when-a-parent-has-an-affair-1.55206
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/some-assembly-required/201703/how-have-difficult-conversations
- ↑ https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/when-a-parent-has-an-affair-1.55206
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/romantically-attached/201608/4-ways-set-and-keep-your-personal-boundaries
- ↑ https://studentaffairs.msu.edu/news/difficult-conversations-scott-becker.html
- ↑ https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/when-a-parent-has-an-affair-1.55206
- ↑ https://www.today.com/health/my-father-cheating-my-mother-wbna26758512
- ↑ https://www.today.com/health/my-father-cheating-my-mother-wbna26758512
- ↑ https://www.today.com/health/my-father-cheating-my-mother-wbna26758512