What should you say when your child asks about a parent’s affair, especially when it’s all over social media?
In this raw and resonant episode, divorce coach Michelle Dempsey-Multack sits down with conscious parenting expert Erin Morrison to unpack how to talk to children about infidelity, betrayal, and public scandals with age-appropriate empathy.
Whether you’re navigating a high-conflict divorce or shielding your kids from adult chaos, this conversation is your go-to guide for Child-First Co-Parenting in an age of viral exposure.
What You’ll Learn:
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How to use “appropriate honesty” to discuss hard truths with your children
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When shielding your kids becomes denial, and how to avoid both extremes
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Why over-disclosure creates emotional overload and long-term trauma
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How to hold safe emotional boundaries while still supporting their curiosity
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What to say (and what not to say) when your child finds out about an affair online
Episode Highlights:
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02:12 – Why viral scandals hit differently when you’re co-parenting
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06:45 – Erin’s “need-to-know basis” approach to conscious communication
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11:08 – The emotional damage of oversharing vs. age-appropriate truth
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15:42 – What to do if you’ve already said too much (and how to walk it back)
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23:16 – Can you be honest without vilifying your ex?
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29:37 – How kids process betrayal differently than adults do
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34:10 – Using trauma-informed parenting to guide difficult conversations
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38:58 – The only thing you can overcompensate on without hurting your child
Meet the Guest:
Erin Morrison is a conscious parenting expert, certified coach, and author of Three Minutes for Mom. Known for her trauma-informed, emotionally attuned approach, Erin helps parents navigate challenging conversations with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:
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Appropriate Honesty – Erin’s approach to tailoring hard truths by age and need
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Need-to-Know Communication – Avoiding the trap of emotional dumping
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Child-First Co-Parenting – A core value of the Moms Moving On® community
Closing Insight:
“The only thing you can overcompensate for that won’t mess up your kids is your love, your presence, and your intentionality.” — Michelle Dempsey-Multack
Parenting through infidelity isn’t about protecting your ego; it’s about protecting your child’s emotional ecosystem. Stay grounded. Stay present. And know that a single conversation done right can rebuild safety.
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @itstheconsciousmom
Books: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Erin-Morrison/222387676
Want to learn more?
This in-depth and informative course from Michelle was created to address this topic: How to Talk to Your Kids About Divorce
Get one-on-one coaching from Michelle: https://michelledempsey.com/coaching/
Learn more about The Moving On Method® https://michelledempsey.com/shop-courses/
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichelleDempsey
Website – https://michelledempsey.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/michelle645
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mldempsey/
LINK TO TRANSCRIPT: htttp://transcripts/moms-moving-on-ep256-talking-to-kids-about-infidelity
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