Growing up with two younger brothers, I thought my belongings were mostly safe—after all, who wants my “girl stuff”? But there were still certain treasures I had to keep under lock and key. I remember dreaming of adulthood, thinking I’d finally escape the constant worry of my things being taken without permission. Little did I know, my brothers were just taking it easy on me! Now, as a mom, I often find myself losing items to my little “thieves.” My daughter’s hoarding habit has turned our home into a scavenger hunt, and I’m not alone in this. After chatting with other moms, I discovered that kids have a knack for stealing specific items. Take a look at this amusing list and see if it resonates with you. If you’ve got some odd items your little one has swiped, feel free to share!
1. Chapstick
Just the other day, I bought a shiny new Chapstick to keep on my nightstand. I’ve lost count, but I’m pretty sure I’ve replaced at least 20 over the past year! This morning, I discovered my latest tube in my son’s room—completely wrecked. What is it about Chapstick that kids adore so much?
2. Notepads and Pens
I am beyond tired of jotting down grocery lists on the backs of random receipts. Every time I get a fresh notepad, my kids turn it into their personal scribble zone. Just last week, I ended up writing a shopping list on a panty liner—no joke!
3. Gum
I try to keep my gum stash a secret, but my kids are gum ninjas. I discreetly popped a piece in my mouth the other day, only to hear my son exclaim, “MOMMY, I smell minty! Do you have gum?!” Seriously, can’t a mom enjoy a piece of gum in peace?
4. Tape
I can’t recall the last time I saw a roll of tape around the house. Whenever I come home with some, it mysteriously vanishes, as if the kids have a secret tape collection hidden away. Why do they need so much of it?!
5. Cell Phones
Thank goodness for fingerprint recognition! Although my kids can’t actually use my phone, they still love to “borrow” it to play pretend. I know I’m not the only one dealing with this obsession. Kids and cell phones—what a combo!
6. Pillows
From fort-building to pillow fights, kids seem to think pillows belong to them. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve searched high and low for my favorite pillow, only to find it stuffed in a corner with dolls surrounding it.
7. Makeup/Lotion/Shampoo
The other day, I kissed my kids goodbye and realized they smelled familiar—way too familiar! It turns out they had raided my new Soap and Glory lotion. Not to mention, my son dumped half of my shampoo and mixed it with his kiddie body wash. My hair felt like hay afterward. Yay.
8. Change
I’m always short on coins for vending machines because my kids love to fill their piggy banks with my change. I tell them not to take my money, but there’s only so much I can yell in a day. No paper bills yet, so I guess I can let this one slide for now.
9. Food
Seriously, I just want one snack to myself! They devour my granola bars before I can even grab one. Ugh!
10. Bras
Okay, this one might just be my kids being quirky. I constantly find my bras strewn around their rooms. Maybe they use them for dress-up? If you spot a woman at Target who’s about 5’3” with a bewildered look, just nod in understanding and move along.
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In summary, kids have a unique talent for snatching up items that seem to have some universal appeal. If you’re a parent, you probably recognize the items on this list. From Chapstick to snack bars, our little ones have a way of “borrowing” what they find most interesting, leaving us to wonder where all our stuff has gone!