LIFESTYLE : 3 Factors That Determine If a Cheating Partner Deserves a Second Chance

If you've been cheated on and haven’t already
packed your bags and left, you may be
wondering whether you should end the
relationship now or give your partner a second
chance. Maybe you feel sick at the thought of
losing your relationship, but you don't want to
feel like a fool and be hurt all over again.
Every situation is different, but your decision
to stay or go should come from an informed
and clear place. Use these signs to figure out
if you should forgive him or give him the boot.
3 Signs You Should Go:
You have proof that the affair has not
ended. Unless you’re OK with a
polyamorous relationship, it's probably
unwise to stay. Come up with an
agreement for your partner to be
completely transparent with you so that
you can know for sure –– otherwise the
problem is just going to stick around.
Your partner denies that you two have a
trust problem. If your partner refuses to
take ownership for cheating and won't work
with you to repair the damage, it’s
unhealthy for you to stay. While not
impossible, changes are far less effective
(and much slower to take effect) when only
one person is making them.
You can't see past the affair. There's a
difference between experiencing initial
shock of the affair and letting it take over
your entire relationship. When your
thoughts, words and actions continue to be
caught up in hurt and anger, it's a good
idea to take some time to focus on healing
yourself before trying to repair things.
3 Signs You Can Forgive and
Stay in Your Relationship
Your partner takes responsibility for their
decision to cheat. When your partner
sincerely apologizes for creating the
account, meeting the other person, or
having the affair, that's a hopeful sign.
This must be followed up by real action
that helps you to see that they are
trustable again.
You take responsibility for your role in the
relationship problems. (This can be a
challenging one!) While you didn't betray
your partner by having an affair, it's
possible that you played a role in the
distance and disconnection in your
relationship. Without making it "your fault"
that your partner cheated, be honest about
the ways you may have unintentionally
pushed your partner away.
You're both willing to work together to
rebuild your trust. It's not always easy to
do, but the more you and your partner can
communicate honestly about what
happened and what you want now, the
more you can work as a team to create a
trusting and intimate future together.