Growing up with brothers meant my possessions were often safe from their meddling—girl stuff and all that. However, I still had my treasures that I safeguarded fiercely, counting down the days until I could be an adult and no longer worry about my belongings going missing. I had no idea my brothers were only the beginning of my woes. Since my daughter entered the toddler phase, it feels like a mini crime wave has hit my home.
I genuinely believe I’m nurturing them right, yet my kids have developed a knack for pilfering. Their intentions may be innocent, but it’s infuriating. Every time I turn around, something of mine has vanished. After chatting with other mothers, I learned that certain items have a universal appeal to our little bandits. Check out this list and see if any of it resonates with you. If your child has a penchant for stealing odd things, please share!
- Chapstick: Just recently, I bought a fresh Chapstick to keep on my nightstand. After realizing I’ve replaced at least 20 of them in a year, I found my latest one in my son’s room—completely wrecked. What is it about Chapstick that captivates kids so much?
- Notebooks and Pens: I can’t tell you how many grocery lists I’ve written on the backs of receipts because my kids swipe every pad of paper I bring into the house. I once resorted to scribbling on a panty liner—no kidding!
- Gum: My gum stash is a closely guarded secret since my kids are obsessed with it—and not just for chewing. The other day, I stealthily popped a piece into my mouth, but within minutes, my son sniffed me out: “Mommy, I smell minty! Do you have gum?” Good grief! Can’t a mom have a moment?
- Tape: I honestly can’t remember the last time I found a roll of tape in my house. The kids seem to hoard it as soon as I bring it home. What do they need all that tape for?!
- Cell Phones: At least I have a fingerprint lock and passcode, so they can’t really use my phone. But they still sneak off with it to “play pretend.” It’s a well-known fact: kids absolutely adore cell phones.
- Pillows: Whether it’s for building forts, engaging in pillow fights, or just fluffing up their play area, my kids have a habit of appropriating pillows from every room. I can’t count how many times I’ve searched for my pillow, only to find it in my daughter’s room, surrounded by dolls.
- Makeup/Lotion/Shampoo: Just the other day, I kissed my kids goodbye at the bus stop and noticed they had an oddly familiar scent. Turns out, they had raided my new lotion and my son had mixed his body wash with half a container of my shampoo. I was not thrilled about how my hair ended up feeling like a broom!
- Loose Change: I can never find change for a vending machine because my kids are busy filling their piggy banks with it. I keep telling them not to take my coins, but there’s only so much nagging one mom can do. They haven’t touched paper money yet, so I guess I can let it slide.
- Food: Ugh! I just want a snack for myself once in a while. They have a knack for devouring my granola bars before I can even get to them.
- Bras: Okay, maybe this one is just my kids being bizarre. I’m constantly finding my bras scattered in their rooms. Perhaps they use them for some sort of imaginative play? Who knows. If you see a woman at the store, about 5’3” with a look of despair, just nod sympathetically and keep moving.
For more humorous insights on motherhood, check out our other posts like this one on home insemination kits, which offers some great tips. If you’re interested in pregnancy resources, visit the CDC’s pregnancy page for valuable information.
In summary, the little ones in our lives have a knack for swiping items that seem insignificant but carry a lot of weight for us moms. From Chapstick to our favorite snacks, it’s a mystery why they find such joy in borrowing (read: stealing) our things. If you’ve experienced similar “thefts,” you’re definitely not alone!
Keyphrase: kids stealing from moms
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