I remember when I was a child, growing up in my family, that it was never okay to make a promise that you could not keep.  We tried to do that with our children too, because it has an enormous impact on the relationship you build with your children.  If you want them to trust what you say you are going to do, you must tell the whole truth, including any conditions.

So, when I was a kid, we always knew that in the summer, our family would go to the lake on Sunday after church, if the weather was clear and rain was not in the forecast.  That just made sense.  Conditions need to be set for some things as to whether they will happen or not.  It is when you say something unequivocally that you are not sure will happen, disappointment can follow and trust can be broken between parent and child.

I could never understand how a person could say that they would do something with their child, unless they were absolutely sure it would happen.  It is far better to say that you are unsure of whether you can do or be there, than to have them be disappointed for no good reason.

As I became an adult, it was always important that I was someone who could be counted on to do what I said I was going to do.  It was not just about being responsible, but also about being honest and considerate.  Just by following the golden rule of treating someone as you would want to be treated, it is the way to build relationships of all kinds, with family, friends, and the people you work with as well. 

If one wants to be a good person, honesty is essential.  Promises are so important.  Don’t make a promise unless you have every intention of keeping it.  Emergencies can happen, but that’s a part of life we can’t control.  Everyone knows that.  My personal goal is to never make a promise that I am not sure I can keep or control.  I know who I can count on to do the same with me.  My intention is to always do my best by being honest and responsible.  And that’s a promise I can keep.