is promises are made to be broken..?

No they are not and I hate people who promise something and never do what they promised. They shouldn't have said something in the first place especially if they were not coerced into doing so.

Simply, it depend on persons having promises. If you promise to anyone for your own wants and there is not ethical values involves, then promise is based on selfishness. But if both are sincere and do promises for commitment, promises are a good source to be bound. Promises alert us to remain inside the limits.

well we often try our best in this family. we really do try not to make promises if we are not sure. my son particularly if you can get him to make a promise, you can bet he will come through. thats why i know if he cant do something, because then, he will not promise

I think those are excuse make by someone who doesn't honor and keep the promise. Promise are verbal contract. Once said it, we're bind by it. Therefore we should honor it. I hate people who can't keep their promise. And worse, can't provide a valid reason why they didn't keep it. It's like they're being serious when they said it and I am not worth for such thing.

I dont like also someone who gave me promise, which is not going to happen then. As what in the transporter said, Dont make Promise if you can't keep it, which is true. Instead of saying promise to anyone it's much better if you just do it and not say anything.