[Allashua Painting by Vladyana Krykorka, "A Promise is a Promise" - Robert Munsch and Michael Kusugak]

Of all the bedtime stories I’ve read to my kids, one of their favourites has to be Robert Munsch’s “A Promise Is A Promise”, the tale of a Innuit girl named Allashua who learns about the importance of keeping a promise.  My girls love this book not only for the story told therein, but also because of how it has carried forth into their own lives.

You see, after I read this story to my kids, whenever I would tell them “I promise”, I’d follow that promise by saying “and remember, a promise is a promise”.  I did this because I wanted them to appreciate that this particular word carried a special meaning, that it was something significant.  I wanted them to understand that saying “I promise” meant that no matter how tired I was, or how busy I was, or whoever asked me for my help with something, I would honour my word to them that we would do what I had promised before anything else.

I also made sure they noted how those times where I wasn’t sure I could promise something that I’d only say “We’ll see” so they could truly appreciate that when I promised them something, it was as good as done.  Now I only have to say “I promise” and if it’s something they really want, they’ll reply “and Papa, a promise is a promise”, reminding me that I had given them my word.

Of course, keeping your word is something that is very important Click here to continue reading »”A Promise Is A Promise”