Kids love to believe they’re experts at sneaking around — whether it’s stealing snacks, swapping hoodies, or staying up past bedtime. But if there’s one thing they forget, it’s that parents notice everything. One mom spotted her daughter “talking in her sleep,” only to find her quietly feeding a stray cat outside her window. Another child claimed she just “loved mornings” — until she was caught sneaking spoonfuls of Nutella at 6 a.m.

Then there are the funny, heartfelt moments. A kindergartener broke down, confessing his imaginary friend wasn’t real and feeling guilty for “lying.” His mom already knew — but let him own up on his own. Another parent found their child secretly reading after bedtime for years, using a flashlight that somehow never ran out of batteries. Some even let their kids believe they’re getting away with things, just to keep the innocence alive.

Others had more creative antics. One child would smuggle coins from Grandma’s “lucky jar” — not to buy candy, but to surprise his mom with a gift. A 7-year-old blamed “raccoons” for empty chip bags hidden everywhere — and even made a wanted poster and trap. Another daughter hid a unicorn hoodie in her backpack every day to match her best friend at school, thinking her mom wouldn’t notice.

These moments — quiet, funny, and full of love — are what parenting is all about. While kids think they’re pulling off their greatest schemes, parents are often watching with a smile, letting them learn, grow, and build memories. After all, it’s these little things we’ll remember long after the wrappers are gone and the flashlight finally dies.