When parents cheat, this is the psychological impact on the child

Infidelity is a big problem that in most cases, there is no antidote. Hurt, disappointment, or feeling betrayed are sure consequences when someone finds out that they are being cheated on. This applies not only to married couples. Sometimes, their baby who knows that one of the parents is cheating also feels the impact. What is the impact on children when they find out that their parents are cheating? How to solve it?

When parents cheat and its impact on children

It is difficult to know how many children are in the midst of their parents' affair. Estimates range from 25 percent to 70 percent. Sometimes parents are also good at hiding their affairs and conflicts in front of their children.

However, according to the Huffington Post there are about one million children whose parents divorce each year. Infidelity tends to be one of the main factors in the occurrence of husband and wife separation.

It was also found that the impact of cheating parents can make children experience shock, anger, anxiety, and even embarrassment because their family separates. Worse yet, children may have problems building trust, love and affection with someone in the future.

Ana Nogales, an author of infidelity and a clinical psychologist, said that there are a handful of impacts children feel when their parents cheat.

When you find your parents cheating, your child usually finds it difficult to trust other people. They will assume that their loved ones could lie or hurt them. It is also feared that they will later believe that no marriage will last. Children tend to play easily with a loyal commitment to one person.
If parents cheat and tell their children to keep the act a secret, your child can experience a tremendous mental burden. Guilt, pressure from cheating parents, and a sense of betraying the family can create depression and anxiety in children.
A child who knows of a case of parental infidelity may see that marriage is not a sacred promise. So, they may think that loyalty is not important. Maybe even, the child will be confused about what it means to learn to love someone, loyalty, and marriage itself.
Who doesn't get angry when you get cheated? Yes, this is one of the biggest possibilities that could have an impact on your child. The child's emotions will be torn between hatred and longing for their cheating parents to leave.
Of the many cases, it was found that children whose parents were cheating eventually developed behavioral disorders. Instead of dealing with feelings of sadness, anger, or confusion about family circumstances, children can take it out on the wrong activities. Children can fall into risky behavior to try to divert their feelings of sadness because of cheating parents.

The above impacts are also influenced by the following factors:

The above factors can continue to develop according to the personal and condition of the children in responding to the infidelity that their parents admit. This must also be adjusted to the maturity and how understanding the child is about cheating by his parents. Here are the factors:

How can children find out about the affair.
The age of the child when the affair occurred.
Does the parent's cheating lead to divorce.
Do parents choose to go with the affair and leave the child.
Does the child accidentally see his parents cheating on him.
How does the child see the attitude of one of the cheated parents.

Parents also have to think about children for infidelity

Researchers advise parents to also care about the impact this infidelity has on their children. Try to keep giving strong attention to children so that they don't feel rejected, wasted, or worse, the child thinks that he is the cause of the affair.

If there is an argument or other problem caused by your parents cheating on you, you and your partner should both apologize for the good of your child. Explain and give understanding as patiently as possible. With a clear understanding, your child will slowly understand this problem.

Give children enough time and space to process the facts and emotions they feel. Don't expect that the child will immediately understand the condition of their parents and be able to forgive their parents right away. The process of reconciling with a parent's infidelity can take a very long time, even years. However, the key for parents is to continue to provide love, attention, and assistance to their children.