AITA for telling my kids about my wife's cheating?

https://lemmy.world/post/776664

AITA for telling my kids about my wife's cheating? - Lemmy.world

A couple of years ago I discovered my wife of 25 years was having an affair. I kicked her out and told her to go be with him (maybe that’s another AITA question). She asked what I would tell the kids, who at the time were 20 and 17 years old. I said I was going to tell them the truth. She pleaded, “please don’t tell the kids.” I said, “if you’re worried about what I’m going to say, you can tell them yourself.” And so she did. Pretty much right there and then, she told them the truth, packed up some things and left. Ever since she has felt that it was wrong for me to make her tell the kids, or to tell them at all. From her perspective it’s none of their business. All they needed to know is that things broke down between us and we split up. They didn’t have a right to know why. It’s changed who she is in their minds, and it clearly has an impact on her relationship with them. They live with me, and mostly would rather not bother to see her anymore. They stay in touch with her and do things with her, but it’s clearly out of obligation (at least it’s clear to me) I can imagine how completely crushing it must feel to know that your kids don’t want much to do with you. I feel bad for her, I really do. Yet, I believe the kids have a right to know why their lives were suddenly and completely changed out of the blue. Am I wrong?

NTA, but...

It's clear your focus is on your kids, so IF you really want to mend that relationship a little, you might sit them down and remind them of all the love she gave them for the rest of their lives. They are at an age where it's common to see things as very black and white, and they may not fully understand that a mistake made in the recent past doesn't invalidate the good that came before it. Humans are ugly little creatures of grey, and everyone has made mistakes we wish we could take back; losing the kids might be the one thing she regrets in all this, and that should get across to the kids.

Don't force them to spend time with her, but maybe remind them that she's still the same mother they loved until they found out what she'd done.

Thanks for the well worded response. I tried to walk a line for the last two years between helping they stay connected with her, and not wanting to have anything to do with her. I wouldn't force them, but I would do things all together "as a family" just to keep them spending some time together. I think it was easier for them if I was there as a buffer, and harder when they are just with her.