My Bad Boob

One of my most oft-uttered phrases as a mother is 'Be careful.' I say it when they're climbing a fence, or climbing a tree. When they are mucking about on the floor with each other. When they get out of the car. When they run ahead of me up the path. When they climb up on a chair to fill a glass from the tap, and when they carry that full glass across the kitchen to the table. Why do I say it? What does it mean? I've noticed that mothers say it a lot more than fathers. Why? Do mothers worry more? Are they more protective, more concerned? I have asked myself these questions many, many times over the years. In recent times, I have come to think it is a useless, pointless thing to say. I wonder if they even hear me. I certainly don't think the words inspire a change in their behaviour; they do not hear me and thusly adjust their bodies' forward motion in avoidance of danger. In fact, I have come to see the words as suggestive. As undermining. Harmful.