Me: “I don’t know everything.”

Son: “No, Daddy! You DO know everything!”

Me: “No. I don’t. Life would be boring if I knew everything. I like not knowing everything.”

Son: “Hmm...”

Son: "Daddy? Why are some people mean?

Me: "People aren't mean. But people can do mean things."

Son: "Why do people do mean things?"

Me: "Perhaps they are in pain. And they want to share their pain with us." [pause]

Son: [no response]

Me: "Maybe they share their pain with us because they don't want to be alone. Have you ever felt that way?"

Son: "Hmm..."

Me: "Maybe they share their pain with us because they are afraid."

Son: "What are they afraid of?"

Me: "I'm not sure. Have you ever felt afraid?"

Son: "Yes..."

Me: "Have you ever accidentally hurt Mommy or Daddy when you felt afraid?"

Son: "Hmm..."

Son: "Daddy? How come someone ate a bat in China and gave people germs so that I can't go to school?"

Me: "Hmm...well, people eat lots of different things."

Son: "A bat is an animal right?"

Me: "Yes."

Son: "How come people eat animals?"

Me: "Hmm..."