Woman-to-Woman (May)

Dr. Renee Parks
May 16, 2012
Filed under Advice, Woman-to-Woman

Dear Dr. Renée

Two months ago I cheated on my husband with a co-worker. It was a one-time thing and I regretted it almost immediately. Hoping that I could clear my guilty conscience, I came clean with my husband and told him what happened. Now he says he doesn’t think he can trust me and is talking about divorce. How can I get him to trust me again? We’ve been married for 10 years and I don’t want it to end because I was stupid one night.

-Ashamed Cheater

Dear Ashamed,

Open up the lines of communication and find out what he’s thinking. Is he hurt and betrayed? Angry? You need to talk it out with him and explain the reasons that you cheated and let him know that it will never happen again. Remind him of the good times that you had together.

Don’t try and defend what you did. Admit that it was wrong and tell him that it won’t happen again. Ask if there’s anything you can do to prove that you won’t do it again.

Remember that we make many choices in our lifetime. Some choices we are proud of, while others make us wish we had made better decisions. Forgive yourself from past mistakes and be gentler with yourself.

Dear Dr. Renée,

Every first date seems to go worse than the last one. I’m socially awkward and can never come across good on a first date. We usually spend most of dinner just staring at each other and eating the food with little to no conversation. As a result, I can never get past the first date. Any advice so I can make it to date #2? I’m getting very lonely over here.

-First Date

Dear First,

This is more common than you think, so don’t worry about being a little different. There are a number of ways to try and move past your social awkwardness or find someone who is equally as awkward so that the two of you have an immediate way to bond.

Speed dating is a great way to meet some new people and get used to sharing quick tidbits about yourself. Online dating may also be a way for you to get to know someone a little bit before you meet face to face.  If all else fails, try doing something different for a first date where the conversation can flow a little easier. Bumper cars, go karts, miniature golf or something where there’s a little action can be an easier ice breaker so that you can move past your awkwardness and finally make it to the coveted date #2.

Dr. Renée is the author of The Four Paths to Ultimate Wellness, an amazing new book that reveals the secrets of how to feel fantastic, look more attractive and enjoy more of life’s pleasures. For more information, go to www.DrRenee.com or 410 630-6989.  Submit your lifestyle questions to: Advice@AskDrRenee.com.