No, I’m not talking about that cute thing toddlers do: covering their eyes when playing hide and seek, ‘you can’t see me!’ 

I’m talking about that stage where your toddler or toddlers decide to relocate items in your household. 

At best, underneath the sofa. 

At worst, in the bin or down the toilet.

My eldest child went through this stage for a maddening amount of time.  More than once I fished my slippers out of the bin (I mean why?  It’s like a declaration of war to do such a thing!)

Food would be tucked under the edges of rugs, and items like my make-up or jewelry would be ‘put away’ in my boots or sock drawer. 

The worst thing she ever hid was my phone.  We were extremely poor at the time, and the phone in question was some third-hand piece. A horrible lime green and not exactly the best, but it provided means to call or text in an emergency.  When it went missing I was tearing my hair out as to where it could possibly be. 

I checked every pocket, bag, and drawer in the house to no avail.  Deciding I must have lost the thing, I kicked myself multiple times, took out a ‘free’ contract phone and got on with my life.

Three months later, I was rummaging through the freezer looking for some green beans I was certain I had, when what should I find but my phone!  To be fair, she had put it in the green’s section, so I’m sure she thought she was being extremely helpful.

It could have been worse I know.  While most children will hide or ‘tidy’ things, it’s the ‘things’ they choose that can make it a nightmare: 

when a friend’s son was potty training he would tidy his toilet deposits around the house.  ‘I’d suddenly become aware of a stink in my bedroom and would think “oh no, what has he done?”  Finally, I would open a drawer and be hit in the face with the stench, and be left wondering how long it had been in there’.

So why do toddlers hide things from us? 

Psychologists believe that this behaviour is associated with ownership or shame.  That would certainly account for little Teddy owning his poos and tucking them safely away, or feeling ashamed of the smell perhaps.

So why did my child insist on hiding my stuff? 

Well according to http://www.worldofmums.com possession is important for a child. They will take items that they know wouldn’t be given if they asked for them. 

When hiding them, the intention appears to be that they will come back later and play.  In the case of my slippers, my daughter obviously wanted to walk in mummy’s shoes for a bit. But my phone:

I think she thought it was ugly.

Has your beloved little mister or miss gone through this stage yet?  Or have you been lucky and managed to miss it altogether?  I’d love to hear from you, post in the comments below.