Terrible things...oh yes terrible things. Hmmm, I do think people make mistakes and if we want to be forgiven we should learn to forgive. But that doesn't mean one should stay with a person who cheats.

It depends. Is he genuinely sorry or not?

I think if you read this following bit of information it may answer your question better than anything I may say... http://inkaboutit.homestead.com/affairs.html

As far as I'm concerned, cheaters are the violaters of the most sacred trust in a relationship. Those aren't the kinds of values that you would want your children to grow up with. That would be like saying "he's a murderer, but otherwise a good father" or "she's a great mother when she's not selling her body for drug money." I believe there's a special place in hell for those that cheat on their loved ones, and I think that the trip there should be accelerated by those they've cheated on. Regardless, they shouldn't be allowed near the kids.

People make mistakes. Sex is a very important part of my life. I'd like to think I'd forgive or be forgiven, but it's so hard to rebuild that trust. I just don't want to start over again.

Nothing should be done to cheating partners. If they were parents, and they seem like good parents, i would wonder about what other stuff they are doing. Frankly it isnt any of my business what other people are doing with their lives.

From my profile: Here's my answer to someone asking about forgiving a cheater - http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/2691789 (Yes... You can, if you want to, but there are things you BOTH must do... If you CAN'T, see http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/2704787 )

They are two different things. My daughter's father is a great dad. He cheated on me all the time. I decided I was not going to raise my daughter in a home where the man cheats and then is forgiven. That would show her that was o.k., and a guy could do that to her.

I don't think anything should be done TO them. Those kinds of decisions are not up to me. I think it is worth saying that when a person cheats in a marriage, there were a ton of red flags leading up to it than no one noticed, least of all the spouse. It doesn't mean the cheater is justified in their actions, but it DOES mean that the problem could have been averted with genuine concern and communication. As far as them being parents, I think it matters a great deal that they cheated. It brings much angst and stress into the family, and probalby leading up to the cheating, too. Everyone is affected when a spouse cheats, especially the kids!

I try to be merciful on this one because people are human and frail and make bad calls in judgment sometimes. I think there is a vast difference between someone that makes a mistake and a person that is in a secret affair for two years. The fidelity of men in my family and my husband's side is very poor, the men were just dawgs. I sort of think they eventually got what they had coming to them. Then I think we all will eventually.

my opinion on cheating is if your cheating on the girl and she has your children it shows exactly how much you dont care for the children because its also them who are being cheated. your taking their time to be with someone else. instead of being their as a parent they can trust to keep the family together.

having been a cheating partner, let me tell you that NOTHING need be done to them because a person who cheats usually gets it worse later, as trusting people is very difficult, due to the fact that we tend to judge others based on our own actions....what do i mean by this? example: take a thief. a thief would never leave his/her purse/belongings, etc in a room full of people because, being that THEY are a thief, they know it's possible someone will steal something out of their purse/wallet. Now, take a non-thief. A person who would never steal from anyone would prob not give a second thought to leaving their purse/wallet in a room because stealing doesn't even cross their mind Make sense? this is what it's like for a 'cheater'....this type of "awareness", so to speak, is something that haunts you more than the 'cheatee' could ever imagine having done it yourself, you KNOW how bad it is, and you know all the possibility of all the angles and all the lies...ignorance really is bliss, let me tell you...I think when a person cheats (at least habitually) that person is worse off for it, and that is punishment enough as far as them being good parents, I sincerely believe one hasn't anything to do with the other. I've known plenty of people who had affairs and were still awesome parents, in AND outside of marriage...not saying my opinion is right or wrong, I'm just sharing what I've seen personally

Have "Cheater" branded on their forehead