How do I let my Dad know his behavior isn't right?

Your father is gambling online and talking to other women when he is married with a family. Yes, it’s wrong. What can you do about it? Nothing. Marital problems are between adults and it’s terrible that you have as much information as you do.

THe next time your mom tells you what your dad is doing, you just have to say that you don’t want to hear about it and that it hurts you to hear. She is being VERY unfair by telling you these personal details.

As far as your dad…honey–I know this is hard to understand. But, men seek outside attention or gamble because they aren’t getting something they want in their lives. Men are pretty simple creatures with simple needs. Maybe your dad has a past history of addicition or problems–I don’t know. But if this is all new for him, there is a reason he is out there searching for something.

My point is that you don’t know. Nor should you know. Nor should you want to know. Your mother is being as inappropriate as your father in putting in a position to listen to this and to pit you against your father, even if he is the one in the wrong.

Join a sports team or club,or go to after school activites or make plans to visit with friends. Start finding HEALTHY ways spend your time outside of the home. And when your mom starts talking about dad or vice versa, just say, “mom/dad/, it’s time to change the subject because I don’t want to hear anymore bad things about either one of you from the other anymore.” and don’t allow them to go on.

It’s time to start learning how to protect yourself by speaking up a bit. It’s a good lesson to learn–you will need to do this for your whole life.