Sunday Mornings with Rania: A Message for Your Kids

Rania Mankarious is executive director of Crime Stoppers of Houston. (Photo: lawellphoto.com)

My father always says, “Your love for your kids is painful.” I didn’t realize what he meant until I had my own kids, of course, but boy was he right.

I find myself thinking about them all day. I’m doing what I do so that they (and all kids) can live in a better community. I spend a lot of time thinking about how to bring them up - not perfectly, but in the very best way possible for them and according to each of their personalities. I want their lives to be filled with love, peace and happiness, and I want them to experience each day in safety and in good health.

The reality is they will face good times, they will face hard times, they will win and they will lose. They will cry and they will fall. And all of it is okay as long as they know who they are and that they have you on their side.

Whether your kids are boys, girls, young or old, at home or far, here are 10 things I challenge you to say to them as often as you can:

• You are perfectly made
• You are unique and special
• You are loved unconditionally
• You are precious in my sight
• Your greatest strengths are…
• Your greatest weaknesses are… {But guess, what? That’s okay!}
• I am not here to always say yes but that is because I love you
• I am your parent, not always your best friend but forever your ally
• When I think you can do better, I will tell you because I love you
• With me you are forever safe

Our kids deal with so much but my hope is that each one of them has a strong foundation with you. Each family looks different, behaves differently and relates differently. But there is one thing every single child needs, at any age and any stage – and this is a strong foundation. That comes from us. Let’s work together to give it to them.