Toddler keeps hiding

[runonthespot]

Our eldest son is mischievous at 4 and has recently started hiding as a game. It's caused us a few scares as we go around the house and eventually find him quiet as a mouse, behind a curtain or in a toybox (his hiding is getting really skilled!). Worst, he sometimes moves while we're looking so we're never sure and end up having to double-check everywhere. When we find him, he laughs- it's a big joke, but we can't seem to persuade him to stop.

Anyone else experienced this? It's a big worry for us, because if he did genuinely do something like leave the house or something had happened, we might be delayed searching for him!

Thanks!

This is very familiar to me! I have had some awful heart-stopping moments with DD2.

She used to sneak into clothing rails in shops and I wouldn't know whether to search the rails or run to the door! She would never come out until you found her no matter what you said or how cross you were or weren't.

We lost her several times in the house. Once she was in DH's side of our bed with her head under the pillow fast asleep. It was quite a thick duvet and she was so tiny you couldn't tell she was there.

She has mostly grown out of it now but still hides in small places when she's worried or upset. I think it makes her feel safe.