Exclusive: Pal: Maria Shriver Wants Kids "to Forgive Their Father"
Credit: FAME PICTURES
Keeping things friendly for the kids.
Despite last week's devastating revelations, Maria Shriver doesn't want to hold a grudge against her estranged husband Arnold Schwarzenegger -- and the same goes for their four children together.
PHOTOS: How Maria looked the day the scandal broke
"As hurt as she may be, she will encourage them to forgive their father," a family source tells Us Weekly of Shriver, 55, who is still reeling from Schwarzenegger's bombshell confession. (Last week the ex-governor, 63, told the public what he'd told Shriver privately months ago: that he had a secret love child with a household employee, said to be former housekeeper Mildred Baena.)
VIDEO: Look back on Arnold and Maria's marriage
The family source adds that Shriver's "faith and her focus on family" is getting her through. And despite the understandable estrangement (Shriver moved out of their shared home several months ago and reportedly hired a divorce attorney), "both Arnold and Maria want to make sure they are being good parents above everything," the insider says.
Married for 25 years, the couple share kids Katherine, 21, Christina, 19, Patrick, 17, and Christopher, 13.
PHOTOS: Biggest Hollywood splits
"This family's motto is to stick together, so they will figure out a way to do that in some level."
Seconds another Shriver source: "She is moving forward and counseling her kids."
The former TV journalist appeared on Oprah Winfrey's surprise anniversary show last Tuesday, and may appear on Wednesday's live show. "She will be ok because she has so many who love her and support her," the second insider says. "She is putting one foot in front of the other."
Tell Us What You Think
6FEELING AWFUL FOR THE KIDS,HOWEVER MARIA COME FROM A VERY VERY STRONG FAMILY BACKGROUND ,SO HOLD YOUR HEAD UP MARIA AND BE STRONG FOR YOUR CHILDREN THAT ALL THAT MATTER ,OH AND TAKE MR.PIG TO THE BANK AND TELL HIM "I 'LL BE BACK"
Love Maria...prayers out to her and her children. It's so sad what an egomaniac, over-sexed man can do that damages so many people's lives. Terrible.
No good mother would want her children saddled with the horrible feelings of anger that would result from what a selfish father did to fracture the family. I do hope they can forgive, because they will be the ones who benefit most from it.
Classy lady and fiercely protective kids. Don't need a body language expert to tell you that the youngest one would protect her with his life.
Yes, too much class for Arnold.
What a classy lady.