I feel the only times when we should make promises to people or to children is when we are extremely sure about it and even though we are sure, we should still not make promises. It’s better not to make a vow.
That’s never a surprise is far better than a vow. It is better to make surprises than a vow.
Therefore, do not promise anything. Do not make any promise as a surprise is better than a promise that is fulfilled by force.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 says; When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
Ecclesiastes 5:5 says; Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
Once you make a vow, you just have to pay it. Now, think about the days when you really wish to fulfill your promises but you are not able to due to one circumstance or the other? So it is better off not to make the promise at all.
Do you know that when you make promises, the person whom you promised is going to have his or her mind on it. And everyday of the person’s life, he or she will always keep her mind at it.
In the Bible, Proverbs 13:12 says; Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life
So when you surprise someone, the person will appreciate it more than if you had promised him or her earlier.
Don’t bother making promises that you may not eventually fulfil but when you surprise the person, it even becomes a blessing for you.
Do not bother to make promises to your kids. Surprise them and they will thank you the more.