We need to welcome Mrs. Clinton's explanations ("a sin of weakness ...caused by an abused childhood") as an opportunity to discuss how people are able to forgive others, not as a chance to deride her for her possible rationalizations and her decision to remain married. Let's take the high road here.

In an age-appropriate manner, we may tell our kids that Mrs. Clinton's love for her husband, her belief in him as a father, and her commitment to her family were stronger than her need to leave him because of his adultery.

Kids need to realize that forgiveness of this nature takes time, lots of time. She did not forgive him upon first learning of his affair. She has had to work very hard for a long time to be able to forgive him. She has suffered great pain and humiliation. Kids should know that forgiveness is a capacity, a process, and not an indiscriminate, knee-jerk reaction to all wrongdoing. Mrs. Clinton has also relied upon her religious faith and its teachings about forgiveness to give her the strength to forgive. I suspect that she is still struggling with this difficult process.

To forgive means that we must see a person's misdeeds as individual acts, not as proof of their being unworthy of our love. Relate this to their misdeeds and tell them that these were unfortunate mistakes, but that they are still loveable, wonderful kids. You might even ask them how they came to forgive you when you treated them in a hurtful manner.

Mrs. Clinton says that she has forgiven her husband because she understands the causes of his unfaithfulness. Perhaps you and your children can recall how you forgave certain people who hurt you. Talk about how tough it can be to arrive at forgiveness. You might instruct them not to think badly of people who cannot forgive unspeakably evil acts, like the torture and murder of Kosovo's Albanians. Give your own specific examples. Explain how they must not expect instant forgiveness from someone and how they should feel sorrow, guilt and shame for some of the hurt that they inflict upon others. Forgiveness should not shield anyone from those feelings.

This conversation is a good opportunity to let them know you'll stick by them even if they temporarily fall from grace. It's a perfect time to let them see the safety net that you will place beneath them when they make a mistake.