When I first told MIL about WW she was shocked and had no idea we were in trouble. Now she, and the rest of my wife's family, believe there is no hope for the marriage, because of my wife's insistence. I had expected that they would like to see a reconciliation. Does this make my position any worse?

PB, As many, many MB'ers, books and counsellors will tell you...WS are convinced themselves of the certainty and righteousness of their actions. This is definitely passed on to friends and family...agree with your IL's, validate...Cleo said it again the other day and saved me, WS's may be sure today and tomorrow but maybe not the next. Humans are like that. <p>And also most importantly, the MB principles aren't practiced by most of the inexperienced world. I was one of them believing that infidelity was the end where in fact, it can quite possibly be the beginning of a new and improved marriage AND a new and improved YOU.<p>Get prepared for the journey of your life. There are so many wonderful people on this board that will help you get through this.<p>My prayers are with you.

terrified... I was one of them believing that infidelity was the end where in fact, it can quite possibly be the beginning of a new and improved marriage AND a new and improved YOU.<p>snl..Exactly. Any significant life experience can be for better or worse...the point being it is a learning experience, a chance to find the extra motivation one often needs to grow, and which often takes being knocked out of our comfortzone to see....and enables us to go follow paths we probably would never have followed elsewise. re affairs, they always reveal serious shortcomings in a marriage and/or individuals, shortcomings which would never have been faced otherwise...and whether the marriage ends or not, either way if one does the "work" ones life imporoves....if instead one embraces despair and bitterness, or continues the toxic behaviour/patterns (denial) pre-A, one throws away a valuable life experience.