hink it best to answer all his questions
fully at the time when he asks them, tell him at least enough to satisfy
his curiosity, and promise him that, if this remains a secret between
you and him, he may come to you whenever he wants more information. Do
not be afraid of having secrets with your child. The matter may be
trifling, but the fact that he is helping you to keep secrets will teach
him to value his word and will increase his confidence in you. On the
other hand, if you tell him an untruth, do not think that he will come
to you again. No, he will doubtless go to some friend who he thinks will
tell him, and thus get his young mind tainted with impure thoughts. And
little better in results than telling an untruth is putting the child
off till some future time. These questions must be met when they arrive.

You may say, "I don't know how much to tell at any one time." Wisdom is
necessary here. No more should be told than will satisfy the present
curiosity of the child. A few questions on your part will readily
discover what information he has gained and how much he wishes to know.

A boy of scarce six summers once came to his mother with a question of
life. The mother was shocked; but, offering an earnest prayer for
wisdom, she questioned the child and found that he had heard remarks
made by older boys. As his mind was developed enough to comprehend part
of their conversation, his curiosity was aroused. Having perfect
confidence in his mother, he had sought her for an explanation of the
points that perplexed him. As simply as possible, that mother gave the
information, ending with the words, "Now, darling, this is to be a
perfect secret between us; and when you are old enough, I will tell you
more." Years passed by until the boy was in his eleventh year; then he
once more went to his mother for information. "Mama," he began, "do you
remember the time you told me a secret?" She answered that she did, and
he continued: "Well, I have kept that secret. I have never mentioned it
to any one. And do you remember that you said some time you would tell
me more?" When she answered, "Yes," he said quickly, "Don't you think
I'm old enough now?" In answer, the mother put her arms about him and
said, "My son, you shall hear all you wish to hear. What is it, dear?"
Then as each question came, she gave him a satisfactory answer, and
ended by saying, "Whenever you want to know more, come to me, and I will
tell you." That boy conti