Mother's Day a Boon for Cheating Site

Cheating web site reports record mom signups the following day.

ByABC News
May 14, 2014, 2:26 PM
Cheating web site AshleyMadison.com said a record number of moms signed up day after Mother's Day.
Cheating web site AshleyMadison.com said a record number of moms signed up day after Mother's Day.
Getty Images

May 15, 2014— -- Looks like Mother's Day was a big letdown for many moms -- and their partners may be to blame.

Cheating web site AshleyMadison.com said 17,000 moms signed up on the site this past Monday -- the day after Mother's Day. That's a 431 percent increase from a typical Monday.

The web site that calls itself "the most famous name in infidelity and married dating" claims 26 million members in 35 countries.

'When expectations aren't met, it can often be the last straw to trigger an affair'

So how does a mom go from breakfast in bed to online infidelity in 24 hours?

"While Mother's Day might not have the implicit romance factor of Valentine's Day or an anniversary, it’s a holiday that compels women to reflect on their relationships," said Noel Biderman, the site's founder. "They expect to be recognized for all their hard work throughout the year, whether it's with a relaxing afternoon at the spa, or bringing some much needed romance to the bedroom. When expectations aren't met, it can often be the last straw to trigger an affair.”

But Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D. and author of the upcoming book "Better Than Perfect: 7 Steps to Crush your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love," said a rush to a cheating site is a sign of existing issues.

READ: From Faithful Spouse to Cheater in 36 Hours, Site Says

"Discontent leads people to negative filter, to focus on the negative such as what they did not get for Mother's Day," she said. "So, they look for love and connection elsewhere. In reality, this is rarely an effective strategy."

Mother's Day isn't the only trigger day for moms. Husbands: beware Jan. 2 and Feb. 15 -- the days after New Year's Day and Valentine's day, respectively.

Similar to Mother's Day, those holidays lend themselves to high expectations often not met, the site said.