I cheated on my boyfriend! How can I regain his trust?

Q: I made a huge mistake by cheating on my boyfriend. I swore to him I'd never do it again and he has given me a second chance. How can I regain his trust?

A:The first step toward repairing your relationship is understanding why you strayed in the first place, so it doesn't happen again. Did you feel unhappy, dissatisfied or neglected? By identifying the reasons for your infidelity and addressing them with your boyfriend, you'll stand a better chance of moving forward together. You also have to accept that your partner is most likely feeling angry and hurt, which is natural. You don't have to let him walk all over you, but listen to his gripes, accept responsibility for what you've done and ask what you can do to make him feel more secure, such as checking in with him when you're out for the evening. Also, doing little things that mean a lot to him, like buying tickets to see his favorite band, for instance, will help restore his faith. Regaining his trust won't be easy or quick, but it is possible and your bond may end up stronger for it.

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