Member Login  not a member? sign-up now!  Customize to your
family and get personalized newsletters.  Promises Promises  By
Susan Gilbert  Let 'em Down Easy  When it's possible to put your
child's feelings first  -- even if that means getting flack at
work  -- it can be worth it. Just ask Ralph Carlton, of Cape
Elizabeth, ME. He promised to be home from a business trip to
London for his daughter Annie's ninth birthday party. But on the
day he was to return, a meeting was scheduled. He called Annie
to say that he couldn't be at the party, explaining that
something important had come up.  Annie didn't cry or whine. She
said calmly, "You know how much it means to me for you to be at
my party. What could be more important than that?" Carlton got
on the next plane home, arriving just as the party was starting.
Of course, it isn't always possible to move heaven and earth to
keep a promise. How well your child weathers disappointment
depends to a large extent on how you break it. Don't try to
justify your actions,