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Partner cheated - what to tell the kids?

101 replies

Mytimenow25 · 28/07/2025 06:22

Long time lurker, first time poster so please be gentle.

Found out late last night/early this morning that my partner of 16 years, who I share 2 children with (11 and 7), has been cheating on me with someone from his work. I told him to leave immediately and have no intention to hear him out or consider saving our relationship.

My issue is what do we tell the children? I'm of the opinion that it is down to him to tell them we are no longer together and he will no longer be living here but do they really need to know that it is because he was cheating?

Head is all over the place and I feel physically sick but my main concern is doing what is right/best for my children and the things that are going to cause them the least upset.

Thanks for reading and like I said this is very new so please be kind.

OP posts:
Brenna24 · 28/07/2025 06:27

I am sorry that you are in this position. Technically it should be up to him telling them, but what is he likely to say? Is he likely to try and say mummy threw me out or is he likely to own it. Neither of you has to say he has cheated. You can say something like "Mummy and Daddy both love you very much but we can't live together, so daddy is going to move to another house. You will always be welcome in each house and we will each love you as much as we ever did." Depending on the maturity level of the 11 year old now and in the future if they probe a lot you could say that Daddy loved more than one person but that isn't possible.