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By Daniella Gray
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For many parents, "be careful" becomes an almost reflexive response the moment their adventurous kids start climbing, running, or jumping.
But one boy mom said replacing that phrase with something more intentional has completely transformed the way her boys move, play and grow.
Juliette Hunsicker (@juliette.sophiaa), mom to two "adventurous boys:" a 4-year-old and 20-month-old, posted a reel on Instagram, sharing 10 alternatives she uses instead of "be careful."
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Her list includes prompts like "Do you feel steady?" and "Check your footing," as well as simply staying quiet and letting her children figure things out.
"'Be careful' was my go-to phrase as a new parent," the 35-year-old mom told Newsweek. "But [it] never felt adequate. It didn't give them tools or language to move more safely; it just projected my own worry."
Hunsicker cited Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children as a key to realizing moments of everyday movement are essential for growth.
"The book talks about how kids need opportunities to take risks and use their bodies to build balance, strength and confidence," she said. "Instead of trying to protect them with constant warnings, I started shifting toward staying quiet and letting them figure it out."
One phrase, Hunsicker said, has been especially effective: "Where will you go next?" It encourages her 4-year-old to pause and consider his choices instead of rushing ahead.
"I think it resonates because it puts the responsibility back on him," she explained. "It's not me telling him what not to do, it's me inviting him to check in with his own body and plan his actions. It gives him control, while still keeping him mindful and safe."
That approach paid off at her son's birthday party. Watching friends ride pedal bikes, he asked to try.
"It was tempting to give warning or hold onto the bike to help him steady," she said. Instead, she ran beside him for a moment before letting go. "He took off perfectly balanced. That afternoon we added the pedals to his balance bike."
Hunsicker's reel has been viewed 2.1 million times and garnered over 17,000 likes.
Hundreds of parents have chimed in with their own phrases they use in the comments section.
"What's your plan? Be brave and safe. I'm here if you need help," one user wrote.
"As a woman and a mother to a daughter and a son this would have made a huge difference to me and maybe them a bit," another added.
However, not everyone agreed. Some dismissed mindful parenting as overthinking, but Hunsicker said the results speak for themselves.
Her advice for parents hesitant to step back? "Count to 10 before jumping in," she said. "I use this all the time. Usually by the time I get to 10, I realize my fear has passed and my child has already figured it out safely on their own."
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