Repair after a broken promise

You said you'd be there and you weren't. Now your kid won't look at you.

Try saying

“I said I'd be there and I wasn't. I know that hurt you.” You missed the game you said you'd be at
“I'm not going to make it bigger than it is. I just missed it.” You missed the game you said you'd be at
“Here's what I'm doing differently next week.” You missed the game you said you'd be at

For each age

School (5–12)

“I broke my word. I get why you're mad.”
“I'm not going to make it bigger than it is. I just missed it.”
“Here's what I'm doing differently next week.”

A smaller, keepable promise rebuilds trust faster than a bigger one you might miss again.

Preschool (3–5)

“I said I'd be there and I wasn't. I know that hurt you.”
“I'm sorry. You don't have to forgive me right now.”
“I'm going to be at the next one. I'll write it down so I don't miss it.”

Kids can feel the difference between an apology and an excuse. Cut the excuse.