Besides, you will find it far easier to talk to your children at this age than later on when they have already begun to be awkward and self-conscious because of their growing emotions.

Another strong reason for speaking at twelve, rather than later, is this. At twelve, the only temptation and danger that can come from your talk is the temptation to curiosity, to find out more. But if you put it off till later, there is increasing risk of physical temptations to impurity, which are much harder to resist.

Two hints might not be out of place.

First, American statistics show that parents keep putting off this talk, in spite of the best will in the world. Decide definitely that, if you have not had reason to speak before then, you will talk to your child on its twelfth birthday itself. That fixes you down to a definite day, and overcomes the temptation to keep putting it off. If that day passes, and you have to admit to yourself that you are incapable of it, then either read him the talk you will find at the end of this pamphlet, or tear it out and give it to him ¹⁰ to read for himself.

Second, you might prefer to talk to your child when you are both out for a walk. It will be less awkward for him to be told in this way than when having to sit facing you while you talk to him at home.

How to give it
The rest of this pamphlet is taken up with two complete talks, one for a boy of twelve, and the other for a girl of twelve. If you have done your best to answer your child's questions as it grew up, and to train it in modesty, you may find that you can shorten the talk considerably. But each talk has been given in full, just in case. You might prefer to give it all at

¹⁰ Throughout the rest of this section, "him" refers to either boy or girl.