Teenage discovery of mom’s video affair with a foreigner shatters family trust. Dad’s devotion crumbles into divorce; daughter endures awkward meetings and a skipped birthday for mom’s trip. Years later, no apology fuels ongoing resentment.
Betrayal’s ripple effects strain bonds without remorse. Online, readers weigh: mandatory forgiveness or justified distance?
Daughter resents mother forever after she caught her cheating.
In this story, our Redditor, now 26, has carried this weight since she was 15, catching her mom in video calls with a lover from England.
The discovery ignited a family firestorm: divorce vibes, shuttling between homes, and watching Dad foot the bills while battling depression. All while big sib was off at college, leaving her to navigate the emotional minefield solo.
From one angle, Mom’s actions scream selfishness. She jetted to England repeatedly, even skipping her daughter’s 18th birthday, and pushed awkward video intros with the new guy. No apology ever came, turning a shaky mother-daughter bond into a grudge-fest.
It’s easy to see why forgiveness feels impossible. The Redditor’s protecting her heart from someone who prioritized a fling over family stability.
On the flip side, some might argue adults’ relationships are complex. Maybe Mom felt trapped in a loveless marriage or chased excitement after years of routine. But forcing a teen into the mess? That would create a grudge for her to hold forever.
Zooming out, this taps into bigger family dynamics around infidelity. Stats show about 20-25% of married folks admit to cheating at some point, per a 2023 General Social Survey via the Institute for Family Studies.
It ripples through kids, often breeding long-term trust issues or resentment. In this case, the Redditor’s solo burden highlights how parental drama can isolate younger siblings, amplifying trauma.
Enter expert insight: Dr. Cassandra LeClair, Ph.D., a relationship expert and author of Being Whole: Healing from Trauma and Reclaiming My Voice, explains in a 2024 Romper article, “When a parent is unfaithful, it can cause a child to question the stability they felt at home.”
This echoes the Redditor’s profound sense of upheaval, where the secrecy of the affair not only shattered family trust but left her navigating a fractured home life alone, amplifying isolation and doubt that lingers into adulthood.
Neutral ground advice? Low-contact could be a smart middle path: occasional texts or cards without deep dives, as some suggest.
Therapy might unpack the grudge, helping decide if a relationship’s worth the energy.
Or, if peace means distance, that’s valid too. Forgiveness isn’t mandatory.
Here’s the comments of Reddit users:
Some insist OP has every right to hold the grudge and go low or no contact.
Others urge minimal contact without full forgiveness until real accountability.
Some share personal stories and advise caution or eventual forgiveness.
![[Reddit User] − Nta, I had the exact same thing happen to me, but with my father.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1761710820304-1.webp "Unemployed Mom Cheats, Dad Has To Supply Her, Daughter Disowns Her For Good")
In the end, this Redditor’s refusal to forgive without an apology spotlights a timeless tug-of-war: holding accountable versus letting go for your own sanity.
Do you think her grudge is justified after years of no remorse, or should she extend olive branches for potential healing?
How would you balance protecting your peace with family ties in a betrayal this big? Share your hot takes!
