Can Tiger Rebuild Bridge to His Kids?

Even after his first public statement about his cheating ways on Friday, Tiger Woods still has a major repair job ahead of him - not just with his wife, but his two children.

"The primary thing he did was he asked for forgiveness," observes child and adolescent psychologist Dr. Jennifer Hartstein, "which is one of the steps that he needs to go through. And he has to ask for forgiveness from a lot of people. So he's really -- he's following the '12 steps.' (in the famous 12-step program overcome addictions - in Woods' case - an apparent sex addiction). He's working the steps. Let's see -- the proof will be down the road as to how long can he take that forward.

Actions, she says, will speak louder than words as Woods tries to rebuild his relationship with wife Elin and his kids. "I think words are words," Hartstein told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith, "and that's the concern that I would have, certainly, if he were my husband. So now, he needs to show it through behavior, that he's really changing. I think, in order to build trust, you need to prove it, so to speak. So, he needs to really demonstrate through behavioral change that it's gonna last. And that's important."

Complete Coverage: Tiger Woods Sex Scandal

Smith remarked that Woods' kids being very young has to be "a huge advantage."

"I think so," Hartstein agreed. "His kids are three and one. So, they're not so tapped into the news. They're not watching all of these reports. And if they see any of it, they may not know it's any different than Daddy on the news like is he for golf."

On the other Hand, Smith pointed out, three-year-olds already know "how to give other kids the business."

"Right," Hartstein concurred. "Three year olds do know how to give other kids the business and also, the feeling in the house is tense. And three year olds and one year olds pick up on the emotions of their parents, even if they don't have words for it.

"So, it's gonna be very important to keep as much consistency for them as possible. I know that his daughter is going to her school every day. How much can we keep the same people around them so their life doesn't change so much?"
As time goes on, will the public be able to observe whether things are right?

"I hope we don't -- that (would mean) they're actually not in the media spotlight and can actually work on their lives," Hartstein said. "But, if they are, because I think we all want to know, I think we'll be able to see a connection -- you'll be able to see them together and bonded and in a way that they interact which will be different, and that would be really great for them and for their children."