I’m not sure what I love more. How smart my kids are, or how smart they think they are.
It all starts when I stumble upon a scene that, at first glance, looks innocuous. But upon further inspection, I realize my children have been up to something and their cover is blown.
In those moments, I love to imagine what my kids were thinking. Probably something like “he he he…Mommy won’t ever suspect I’ve sneaked a few chocolate chips while I was using the pantry as a hideout during a fierce run of Hide and Seek.”
But the smear of chocolate on her cheek is a dead giveaway.
My kids have some good, sneaky ideas, but their execution usually falls flat. Because they tend to overlook minor details.
Like candy residue.
The list of things my kids try to pull off and don’t think I’ll notice are endlessly adorable.
Things like:
Shorts shoved under the dresser instead of making their way to the dirty clothes hamper.
A pair of scissors left on the pantry shelf, used to pry open candy after dinner while I was showering.
My Little Pet Shop goodies in my shoes, which were in their right spot, after someone must have had their own private fashion show in my closet.
The iPad/iPhone/Kindle/Nook/gaming device moved three feet from it’s original position.
Once said device is woken up, Angry Birds are staring at me instead of the social media app I had open 30 minutes ago.
Hands that are wet but have no soapy fragrance after a trip to the bathroom.
The grapes I had on the table for a snack seem to have sprouted legs and walked away.
First drafts of birthday and Mother’s Day cards strewn about the playroom. It’s called a trash can, kids. Use it next time to keep me in suspense.
Thankfully all of this mischief is benign and non-malicious and harmless. Sure, I hope it doesn’t turn in to real and serious trust issues as they get older. But for now, it’s completely kid-appropriate behavior. I do confront the kids to make them aware that I’m on to them, and that they should probably come clean. Their confession is served with a crafty smile and received with a chuckle on my part. Then I ask them to be more honest.
And save some chocolate chips for me.
What funny things have your kids tried to get away with? Leave a comment below, or continue the conversation on my or holler at me on .
I love this post!! I always love protests of “No I’m not eating cookies” with a mouth full of cookies!! Mine are more guilty of saying “Nothing” when I hear a sound of impending sibling injuries or cabinets or fridge doors being opened and ask the “What are you up to, eating, killing” questions! Thanks for the giggle!
Kathy Radigan recently posted…My Long and Winding Road to Motherhood
Thanks, Kathy. They’re so opaquely sneaky, and I love it. At least they’re pretty bad at it now, and I hope it stays that way when they’re teenagers!
I’m sure you’ll look back on these memories and smile one day. I think it’s really cute when kids pretend to be smarter than us, and as they get older, they do get better at it!
TK recently posted…No substitute for outdoor play…
Yes, I do think I’ll cherish these little antics one day. And I DO worry about when they get really crafty and good at hiding their tracks.
I’ve found the best way to use this to its potential is to not let them know you’re onto them. Make them think you really do have eyes on the back of your head – or at least, a network of spies. They’ll never know.
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Eli@coachdaddy recently posted…
Great advice, Eli. Though I guess dropping subtle hints that we’re being bugged by the FBI or something would be taking it a step too far?
My preschooler totally thinks she knows everything. But when she lies, she hesitates, so it’s easy to catch her at it. I do worry about when she gets “better” at it and then I’ll never know what’s really going on! lol
Emma @ P is for Preschooler recently posted…2 Easy Halloween Crafts
My son used to have this guilty look when he was about to lie, and in just two short years, he’s learned how to mask it. I shudder to think of their teen years, though I hope I’m doing my best to instill the virtue of honesty now.
My kids use humor in the hopes that I’ll overlook stuff. They’re pretty good at it, too! Once, my son was in charge of directions when we were traveling. He missed an exit, because he was goofing off. (It didn’t really matter.) To get me laughing, he imitated the GPS voice: “Turn around when possible.” I’m not sure why we weren’t using the GPS in the first place, but it made for a funny memory.
Columba Lisa Smith recently posted…Four on-the-Go Ways to Teach Our Kids about God
We have so many of these going on in my house. They do think they are quite clever those kids!
Andrea recently posted…I Did It! Well I Sort of Did It….
LOL! These are so funny! I just love the things that come out of their mouths. Always so unpredictable and sad that it could end as they grow up
Lexie Lane recently posted…Bad Parenting: Whose Fault Is It?
I think kids secretly want to know how smart their parents are, so they run tests like that all the time, to see what you catch. They’ll probably think you’re cool, but never tell you you’re cool;)
Courtney~Mommy LaDy Club recently posted…Secret Sauce and Magic Formula
Kids always have a great sense of humor. My toddler will tell me sorry my bad, its my fault, or some other whitty comment.:-)