Anonymous wrote:Op, what makes you think your dad is cheating? You can suspect anybody of anything. Doesn't mean it's true. Even if it is, what do you hope to learn or gain by talking to him? Do you want him to change his ways? Do you want to learn more about what might be going on with your family and with your dad? If you are worried that your mom will have a heart attack due to this news, then her health is very fragile. This means that she probably has not been much of a companion to your dad. It also means that she may be miserable to be around on a day-to-day basis, and that your dad has probably taken on the role of caretaker as opposed to husband. He still has the same needs for a woman in his life that he always did, as much as that may gross you out. I'd suggest you talk with your dad. More importantly, I'd suggest you listen to what he tells you. You don't have to agree with him. Lastly, think of how you'd like him to respond if you came to him with a marriage problem. It's very easy to say "go forth and sin no more" when you have a partner who is emotionally willing to be a companion. The physical stuff may not work the way it once did, but the emotions are what matters. Knowing you are wanted, desired and loved as a sexual being is something all healthy adults want. You also may want to ask your dad about his surgery, his depression and how your mom responded. It's possible she did not respond with the love and compassion he neeeded. You'd do well to listen to his experiences and perspective. Also, your mom knows. She has lived with and raised teenagers. She knows what is going on, even if you don't think she does. This makes me think there is more to your "what should I do" query then you realize.
Did you promise to love and to cherish, forsaking all others, until illness intervenes in "companionship"? What the hell is it with blaming the betrayed spouse, too? She might not have responded with the "love and compassion he needed"? So that makes cheating okay? Is that what you say to your spouse? "Honey, if ever you decide that I am not responding to you the way you want, whatever you do - don't talk to me about it. Just find a lover!"
And where do you get off saying the mom knows? How do YOU know that?
OP, ask an open-ended question, as suggested earlier. Then let the conversation take its course.