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:

How to use “appropriate honesty” to discuss hard truths with your children

When shielding your kids becomes denial, and how to avoid both extremes

Why over-disclosure creates emotional overload and long-term trauma

How to hold safe emotional boundaries while still supporting their curiosity

What to say (and what not to say) when your child finds out about an affair online

Episode Highlights:

02:12 – Why viral scandals hit differently when you’re co-parenting

06:45 – Erin’s “need-to-know basis” approach to conscious communication

11:08 – The emotional damage of oversharing vs. age-appropriate truth

15:42 – What to do if you’ve already said too much (and how to walk it back)

23:16 – Can you be honest without vilifying your ex?

29:37 – How kids process betrayal differently than adults do

34:10 – Using trauma-informed parenting to guide difficult conversations

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:

Appropriate Honesty – Erin’s approach to tailoring hard truths by age and need

Need-to-Know Communication – Avoiding the trap of emotional dumping

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

Get Michelle's courses on navigating divorce and co-parenting: https://bit.ly/MDMPodStore

Get one-on-one coaching from Michelle: https://michelledempsey.com/coaching/

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMichelleDempsey

Website - https://michelledempsey.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/michelle645

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@themichelledempsey1

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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