- Who it's for
- Inside Parent, Outside Caregiver
- Child / youth age
- All ages
- Geography
- National
- Action type
- Talk
- Reading time
- About 4 min
- Last verified
- August 2026
What this is
Phrases and approaches for honest conversations when a child is disappointed.
Why it matters
A broken promise costs more trust than an honest 'I don't know yet.'
What you should know
- Name the feeling before explaining the reason.
- Say what you can control and what you cannot.
- Avoid dates you cannot guarantee; describe what you are working toward instead.
- Follow up on the next call — remembering is the repair.
Talk about it
Ask: 'What was the hardest part of that for you?'
Your next step
Choose one honest sentence to use instead of a promise.
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