Mischief Incoming! 9 Signs Your Kid Is Up To No Good

It seems like the little ones always have a playful plan up their sleeves! Luckily for us, there are tons of telltale signs that give it away. Want to be better prepared? Familiarise yourself with these common signs there’s a bout of incoming mischief.

Boy oh boy, do the little ones love to test our boundaries. It seems like every day they’re coming up with a new plan to stir things up, and despite wanting to tear our hair out at times, we still love them for it. After all, kids will be kids! At the end of the day, our advice is to just go with the flow and let them have their fun — just so long as their mischief doesn’t get too out of hand. If you’re a mama that wants to be better prepared, here are common telltale signs that give their game away.

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For the toddlers

1. When there’s a little too much peace and quiet

After a day of chaos, we know mamas yearn for a moment of peace. But what happens when it’s too quiet? When the silence steadies, it might be worth popping your head around the corner to see exactly what your toddler is up to. We’ve found the little ones quietly cutting teddy bears out of books (“I want to keep them in my pocket!”), throwing all their clothes out of the cupboard to find that purple Frozen shirt and even using peanut butter to finger paint all over the walls. We know!

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2. When they have a cheeky smirk on their faces

We know this look all too well. A little grin creeps up on their faces, accompanied by a glint or sparkle that starts dancing in their eyes. As adorable as this looks, it can often be the precursor to a little trouble that’s well on its way!

3. When they hide

Suddenly can’t find your toddler? Try looking behind the curtains, under tables or even inside cupboards. This spontaneous game of hide-and-seek might unearth them happily gobbling down a forbidden snack or happily using an iPad. One time, we searched all over the house for our little bub, only to find her under our dressing table happily emptying the entire contents of our handbags. Honestly, we were just relieved she didn’t decide to use my lipstick as a crayon!

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4. When they give a lingering side-eye before acting

While our kids are well aware that some actions might not be well-received, that doesn’t always stop them! However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t take a moment to consider how the adults will react, such as giving you a little side-eye before they get to work.

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For the older kids

5. When they start whispering in their siblings’ ears

The joy of having a sibling is that they now have a (very willing!) partner in crime. When your children start whispering into each other’s ears — perhaps whilst even looking around furtively — you can almost be certain that a grand masterplan is in the works.

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6. When they’re suddenly on their best behaviour

It’s wonderful when children become angels, but keep on top of how quickly does this transformation happens. If it occurs out of the blue or overnight, your kid is most likely trying to butter you up because they have something playful up their sleeves. Or, they might become uncharacteristically enthusiastic about doing something they usually try to put off for as long as possible. Yup, something is definitely up!

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7. When they evade questions

Picture this scenario. You ask your child what they’re planning to do before bed, and they try to divert your attention by asking about something else entirely. Don’t belittle the kids: they’re masters when it comes to planning something fun out of the ordinary (which may be fun for them, but not so much for the adults!). When this happens, it may be high time to pull out the detective hat. Good luck with the investigation!

For the teenagers

8. When they start to spend more time alone

The family’s seated together having dinner one night, and suddenly your teenager gets up mid-meal. They declare that they’re full, and ask to be excused. There’s a good chance they’re cramming in video game time or connecting with friends on social media (for those with access). If this happens once in a while, that’s perfectly fine — but when it starts happening a little too often, perhaps you can have a chat with your teen to find out what’s going on.

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9. When they start becoming defensive

When every question you ask is met with a defensive tone or a diversion, consider digging into the very topic your teenager is trying so hard to avoid. Ah, the teenage years. It can be difficult to connect with teenagers, but don’t give up! Make the effort to check in with them, and show interest in what they’re interested in. You’ll be surprised how much of a  difference this can make.

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