Children have incredible – yet selective – memories. For example, a child may not be able to remember to brush her teeth every night but if mom promised on Monday that she’s getting them ice cream after school on Thursday, you better bet it will be the first thing they say when you strap them in the car on Thursday morning. Amazing, huh?
Being accountable to stay true to the promises we make to our kids pushes us as parents. Oftentimes, we make promises with all the best intentions, of course. But then, life happens and multiple reasons can come up as to why following through with our word is not possible or too inconvenient.
Bear in mind that there are so many life lessons hanging on to your ordinary, everyday promises. Here are 5 important reasons for keeping promises you make to your kids:
1. Keeping promises sets an example of personal integrity
If you want your kids to be the kind of people who stay true to their word, then you have to be that kind of person too. As your children see you keep your promises to them and to others, even when it’s inconvenient, they will be more likely to do the same.
2. Keeping promises builds respect
Sometimes, our children don’t respect us as much as we’d like to because that respect has been eroded by a lack of integrity in ourselves as parents. Personal integrity is key to earning respect. Keeping promises to your kids and to others will show them that you deserve the respect.
3. Keeping promises teaches your kids they can trust you
All parents want their children to take us at our word about every important thing like relationships, values, faith, etc. Now, if our kids can’t bank on us on the little things, how can they trust us in the big things? Keeping our everyday little promises teaches them that they can trust us.
4. Keeping promises communicates to your kids that they are important
Your child will notice if you keep your promises to others, but not to them. They do see how you spend your time, and if you have time to binge-watch Friends on a Friday night but haven’t got time to take them to the toy store as you promised last week – it communicates to them that they are less important than the things you chose to spend your time on.
Making your child feel valued and cherished is crucial to your relationship. So, if you want a strong bond with your child, keep your promises.
5. Keeping promises sets them up to build good relationships
Trust is the foundation of all relationships. By setting an example of personal integrity through promise-keeping to your children, you’re setting them up to be better employers, employees, better spouses, and better friends. Training your child at home to treat people well will blossom to better relationships as they get older and as they traverse throughout life.
These tips have been adapted from this blog post by iMom.
divya says
nice….I can understand this, I made a promise to my son and kept it, he still remember that and we cherish that moment when I lived upto his trust. Nice blog…
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