Heartbroken Dad Moves Out After Mom’s Affair, Keeps Himself Quiet To Protect His Children

A devoted dad, shattered by betrayal, faced his crumbling world after 22 years and three kids when his wife’s work-trip fling came to light. To shield his teens and young adult, he moved out, blaming faded feelings, but a chance run-in with that guy ripped open old scars.

Now, wrestling with whether to tell his kids the raw truth, he’s caught between pain and protection. Reddit’s AITA is ablaze, debating if spilling the tea heals or hurts in this family drama.

Husband finds out wife’s affair, moves out but tells children nothing with a view to protecting them.

A life-long marriage could be shattered by just a few minutes of fling. This heartbroken Dad’s story is an example of navigating betrayal while trying to keep the family ship afloat.

His wife’s brief affair, three fleeting encounters over a work trip, shattered a 22-year partnership. He moved out, citing a vague loss of feelings to protect his kids’ bond with their mom. Noble? Sure. Sustainable? Maybe not. Now, a year later, seeing that guy at a traffic light has him spiraling, questioning whether to tell his kids the truth.

On one side, Dad’s instinct to shield his kids shows a fierce commitment to their emotional well-being. He’s swallowed his pain to preserve their view of Mom, which is no small feat when you’re crying every night.

On the other hand, his vague excuse risks leaving the kids, especially the older ones, confused or even resentful. The 21- and 19-year-olds might sense the gaps in his story, while the 15-year-old could misinterpret Dad’s exit as abandonment. Honesty could clarify, but it might also fracture their mom’s sacred bond with them.

This story taps into a broader issue: how families navigate infidelity’s fallout. A 2023 study from the Institute for Family Studies found that 20% of marriages face infidelity, with 70% of affected couples attempting reconciliation.

Dad’s hesitation reflects a common fear: disrupting kids’ stability. Yet, as psychologist Dr. Shirley Glass noted in Not “Just Friends” (2003), “Secrecy fuels mistrust. Open communication, even when painful, fosters healing.”

Her insight suggests truth-telling could empower the kids to process the split, but timing matters. Dad’s raw pain might cloud his delivery.

So, what’s the play? A calm, factual talk with the older kids could clear the air, emphasizing Mom’s mistake without vilifying her. For the 15-year-old, a gentler approach might work, perhaps with a therapist’s guidance. Neutrality is key. Spilling the beans to hurt Mom would backfire.

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

Some believe the children deserve the truth about the divorce to understand the situation.

Others emphasize the importance of honesty to counter the ex-spouse’s narrative.

One person advises careful consideration, especially for the younger child.

Notably, the OP recounts the furniture call that led to the revelation in the comment section.

Heartbroken Dad’s tale is a raw reminder that love can be a battlefield, with truth as both weapon and shield.

After shielding his kids from their mom’s affair, he’s now grappling with whether honesty is worth the risk.

Do you think he’s right to consider telling his kids the truth, or is his pain clouding his judgment?

How would you balance protecting your kids with owning your truth? Drop your thoughts!