Unfulfilling a promise made to a child is no less than breaking his trust.
Parents are the ones on whom the child depends for the fulfillment of his desires and needs. Their each promise is like a hope for the child. And whenever parents break their promise, it breaks the child's heart and shatters his trust. So don't take promises made to your child casually.
Make promises you can keep: When your child is not ready to go to school, you promise him that you'll pick him up after the school and eat at McDonalds knowing very well that you won't be able to leave the office. Don't make promises you can't honour.
Make a new promise incase the old one is unfulfilled: If due to unavoidable circumstances you are unable to keep your promise, explain to your child the reasons and make a fresh promise. Let him express his disappointment instead of saying 'It's not that big a deal!'
Don't promise everything or anything: Don't commit for things you otherwise don't give your child as a matter of rule. Make promises discreetly or else they lose their charm and you obviously won't be able to remember all the promises.
Use promises as 'reward' and not as 'bribe': Promise your child a holiday, a movie, a toy or a chocolate for respecting elders, scoring well, cleaning his room or being helpful but not for letting you watch the serial or chat on the phone.
Honour your promises to teach the child integrity of words: When you keep your word, the child learns the importance and value of make a commitment. He will get inspired to keep his promises made not only to you but to anybody. Next time, when he breaks his promise to clean the room or finish his homework, you can remind him with conviction 'Honour your promise!'
Parenting Tip : Make only those promises to your child which you can keep and make sure you fulfill them.
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