When infidelity becomes public, the betrayal doesn’t just impact the adults involved, it leaves lasting emotional echoes for the children. In episode 256 of the Moving On Method® Podcast, Michelle Dempsey-Multack and parenting expert Erin Morrison dive into the emotional landmines families face when a parent’s affair becomes known, especially in a viral, media-driven age. Their focus is not on the gossip, but on the emotional scaffolding parents must build to protect their children’s mental health.

Erin Morrison introduced a core principle she calls “appropriate honesty.” Instead of overwhelming children with details, parents should prioritize age-appropriate truths, asking first what the child knows, thinks, or feels. This not only builds emotional safety but also keeps children from being pulled into the adult chaos. It’s essential that the conversation be led by the child’s needs, not the parent’s guilt or anger.

A key theme is that perfection isn’t the goal, repair is. If a parent says too much or too little, it’s okay to return to the conversation later with more care and clarity. Over-disclosure, especially when emotionally charged, risks burdening children with confusion and misplaced responsibility. Erin explains how this kind of exposure can become an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), especially if there’s no adult offering comfort afterward.

Finally, the episode broadens the lens to examine the collateral damage of infidelity: workplace dynamics, power imbalances, and viral humiliation on social media. When betrayal becomes a headline, the stakes for families rise. But through mindful parenting and emotional boundaries, there are ways to help children navigate truth without trauma, and grow without guilt.

Meet the Expert

Erin Morrison is a conscious parenting expert and the author of Three Minutes for Mom. She specializes in trauma-informed family dynamics and communication strategies that prioritize emotional regulation and child-first thinking. Her work empowers parents to navigate high-conflict situations, like divorce or infidelity, by equipping them with tools to support, not scar, their children.

The Big Idea

This conversation centers on a crucial question: how can parents help children process the emotional fallout of infidelity without exposing them to inappropriate or harmful details? The big idea is that children deserve truthful, age-sensitive information, but never the emotional weight of an adult’s betrayal. Parenting through this requires self-regulation, restraint, and a commitment to being a safe space, even when your world feels upside down.

Key Takeaways

Start the conversation by asking your child what they know or feel, rather than explaining right away.

Share information using “appropriate honesty,” just enough for their age, without adult-level emotional complexity.

Avoid using your child as a sounding board or emotional crutch. They are not your therapist.

If you say too much or too little, return to the conversation with care. Repair is more important than perfection.

Reinforce love, safety, and trust at every stage, especially when your child is navigating their own emotional confusion.

Tools, Strategies, or Frameworks Mentioned

Appropriate Honesty: A communication principle based on tailoring what is shared to match a child’s age and emotional maturity.
Pause and Reflect: Instead of reacting, take a moment to breathe and process your own feelings before responding to your child.
Child-Led Conversations: Let your child’s questions guide how much and what kind of information to share.
Repair Over Perfection: If a misstep happens, it’s never too late to circle back and reframe the conversation.
Generational Boundaries: Maintaining a clear emotional line between adult and child experiences to prevent emotional enmeshment.

Final Thoughts

“The only thing you can overcompensate for that won’t mess up your kids is your love and intentionality.” – Michelle Dempsey-Multack

In the wake of infidelity, children don’t need every detail. They need to know they are safe, loved, and supported. When parents show up with grounded presence instead of reactive emotion, they create a healing space, one where kids can feel secure even as their family story shifts. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be someone they can trust to walk with them through the truth.