Q: How Do I Deal With My Emotionally Cheating Partner?

Posted by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen Jul 9, 2009

A reader recently asked for advice on dealing with her emotionally cheating boyfriend, on my article called What is Emotional Cheating?

She says he keeps calling and communicating online with his past girlfriends and online women friends...and can't understand why his current girlfriend is upset!

Her question: "Until he's willing to give up these other relationships, ours will not have a chance to grow. What do you think?"

I think she's absolutely right! There is no way a man can maintain a healthy committed relationship with a woman, and be calling, emailing, and chatting with other women. Whether those women are past girlfriends or new women he's meeting online -- it's emotional cheating. He's disrespecting and disregarding his partner's feelings.

How should she deal a partner like this? By letting him go. If he doesn't recognize that he's cheating, and he doesn't care about her feelings, then their relationship will be constantly undermined. Even if he doesn't respect her, she needs to respect herself enough ot get out of the relationship....even if she's scared nobody else will come along. Staying in a relationship when your partner doesn't value your feelings and thoughts will ruin your self-esteem.

For help surviving a breakup, read How to Let Go of Someone You Love. And if you want to stay in the relationship -- because your partner is willing to see that he or she is cheating, and is willing to change, read Tips for Surviving an Emotional Affair.

Good luck with your relationship -- and let me know how things are going!

Laurie