Why do absent fathers mislead kids.

My ex did this all the time, he used to tell his daughter she could have a new bike, or go somewhere, never intending to carry through on his promises. He left it up to me to explain why those things weren't happening. Now, he's lost out because we moved 3000 kilometres away from him, she refuses to answer the phone when he calls, and he hasn't seen his grandkids. I think perhaps if you don't expect anything from him, he can't disappoint you, and if he actually does come through with a promise, you can see it as a bonus