My toddler locked herself and her brother in the car

LilCMom · July 2011

So I am probably going to be heavily flamed for this, but seriously I was doing what I thought to be the safest and most effective way of getting my kids in the car!

I have a 21 month-old and a 7 month-old. The 7 month-old just moved up into the convertible car seat. So now I have to carry him and hold my toddler's hand to go out to the car. For the last few days I have been holding the baby in one arm, opening the car door with the other and just lifting my daugher into the car. I can't lift her and strap her in with one hand so she hangs out in her seat, not strapped in, while I strap the baby in to the convertible seat, and then I come back around to strap her in her seat.

Well, yesterday I did this, and meanwhile the car was running to keep it cool in this insane heat. Anyway, I get DS strapped in to his seat and as I'm coming around the side of the car to strap DD in, she climbs into the driver's seat and locks the doors!! We had to call 911 and have a police officer unlock the doors, which he was able to do in less than a minute. I thank God that the car was running since it is so hot outside.

So I guess now I will be taking them out of daycare one kid at a time (it's an in-home daycare and I can clearly see the car from her door). But I know this won't be the case in every situation! I don't know what else to do that doesn't involve the chance of my toddler running away while I strap her brother in, and I am physically unable to lift her into her car seat and strap her in, all while holding the baby.

Please help!!

dragon_chica · July 2011

No flames here. Just freaking out myself once #2 arrives!

sunflowergrl · July 2011

That's scary, glad the cops got their quickly. I only have one child, but I usually start the car turn on the air, and roll down the drivers window before I go buckle her in. That way the car is cooling off, but I can't get locked out. I have this fear of my arm hitting the lock button or somehow locking it accidentally so I always open the window.

lildevil968 · July 2011

No flames. Just be sure to roll the window down enough for your arm to fit through in case she decides to lock it again.

JillBMama · July 2011

Why don't you just keep a spare copy of your car key in one of those magnet boxes under the car, just in case?

pandaluvr · July 2011

lildevil968:
No flames. Just be sure to roll the window down enough for your arm to fit through in case she decides to lock it again.

This. It's Arizona, it's VERY hot. The kids get burns from seatbelts if I don't let the car run for a bit.

I have to do a similar car situation with our kids--only my daughter is five. But our car has a fluky lock where if you have it running and aren't careful the doors will lock. Our daughter is old enough now to open the door from the inside (which undoes the lock) but I always crack the driver's window just in case I don't have her in the car and accidently lock our 18 month old in.

No flames, accidents happen.

Bianca42 · July 2011

That stinks.

How about a car starter? Or a second set of keys in your pocket?

Picking up from daycare, I always turn the car off. I figure it's cooled off a bunch from the drive there, so the time it takes to make sure 2 are buckled in isn't going to heat it up that much.

If I'm putting them in a hot car at home, I usually open my door and leave it open for some air movement. Then I strap in the baby and come back to my older son to either make sure he strapped himself in good or help him out. That way by the time I'm done with both of them, I can jump in and start the car.

trapani2be · July 2011

I do the exact same thing multiple times per day. It is really hard to hold the baby and strap a toddler in, impossible IMO. I do have a remote starter so the keys are never in the ignition but I can have the car running in the winter for warmth and in the summer for cool. Maybe that's an idea for you? They aren't that expensive and very handy. I start my car from inside stores etc so it's not too hot for the kids when we get in. Right now it is 91, (113 with humidity) so I am happy to have the remote.

MrsSR · July 2011

How scary!

I would either leave the window open or I would keep your order the same, but leave the baby's door open while you latch the older one in, then go around and close the baby's door.

lmanforte · July 2011

hocus:
First off I wouldn't have the car running.

Ummm I don't know about NY but here in CT, this is impossible. I have to start the car 5 minutes early to get it to a temperature that won't kill a person!!!!

Other than that, no flames. You are doing the best you can and living and learning. I actually learned a thing about rolling down the window thanks to this post, so thank you!!!

Madringal · July 2011

JillBMama:
Why don't you just keep a spare copy of your car key in one of those magnet boxes under the car, just in case?

If the car is running, a spare key will not open the door.

Madringal · July 2011

JillBMama:
Why don't you just keep a spare copy of your car key in one of those magnet boxes under the car, just in case?

If the car is running, a spare key will not open the door.

JillAly · July 2011

I don't have advice- what others said make sense about leaving the window open, etc.

I just wanted to say I know how scary it is when they're locked inside. My son locked himself in our bedroom one night when he was about 2 yo and we had to get a locksmith to drill the lock (who knew indoor locks could be so hard to break). My son was hysterically crying the entire time. It's scary for a parent to deal with - I'm sure your adreneline was going nuts. I'm glad your kids are ok and I hope you're ok too!

RunningMamaH · July 2011

How scary! When I have my nephew (he's 3) during the day I wear DS in the Ergo carrier and put my nephew in 1st. Then I strap DS in. I do this everywhere, to the bank, grocery store, etc. I just don't trust nephew not to run off and if DS is in the Ergo I can have 2 hands free.

MamatoJackson · July 2011

hocus:
First off I wouldn't have the car running. I'd have the keys in your pocket the whole time. Yes I'm sure it is hot but the whole process isn't very long.

I'd also consider doing everything in reverse order. Put your baby in without straps, strap your toddler in, and then go and strap your toddler in. If that doesn't work get a POS umbrella stroller that you keep in the car for the baby so you can put you toddler in while the baby stays in the stroller and then put the baby in once your toddler is all set.

This.

Bblund · July 2011

No flames moma! Its a challenge and something I'll be facing too. You need to keep that care running... let me know what ends up working best for you and share please. good luck.

MrsBalletStar05 · July 2011

I accidentally locked my DS#1 in the car by himself once!! It sucked and he was very scared (the firemen came to unlock it). I was in DH's car, which I am not used to, and it had automatic locks that were messed up. All the doors were closed and unlocked, but when I tried to open the driver's side, they all locked (and I had put the keys in the car already) So I can sympathize. It's crazy hot here too - I usually put the little one in and leave his door open, and then do the older one (but my older one is 4, so it's not quite as awkward as your situation). Even with a door open, it's still very hot - but I figure it doesn't take too terribly long.

mrsjengle · July 2011

Be careful leaving the window down on hot days. If you have a chrome strip around your window, it gets extremely hot. If you touch the underside of your arm on it while reaching through the window or your LO's fingers touch it, it will burn. And GL.

bncmommy · July 2011

When my DD was 13 months old, we let her play with the keys while we were loading car after shopping. We shut the back and click, she pressed the lock button on the keys! Luckily it was December so heat was not an issue. The fire department came and quickly got her out. I am still paranoid about this so I never have all 4 doors closed until I'm in the car. Usually I leave the front passenger open and close that last or I keep the keys on me if possible.

lite-bright · July 2011

Here's what worked for me after DD2 was born and I was very limited in my lifting but had to manage two kids.

1) Taught DD1 to climb up into the car when I opened the door, preferably into her own seat. But if she could at least get up into the car, I would shut her in (keeping my keys ON me, nowhere else! In case she managed to hit any buttons), go around and strap DD2 into her seat, then come back around, help DD2 into her seat if she wasn't already, and strap her in. Yes, it takes a little bit longer -- but everybody's safe the whole time. Things just take longer with two kids.

2) Wore DD2 in a sling or Beco. I was still able to use my arms/hands enough to get DD1 into her seat without DD2 being unsafe or unsteady.

I generally had a rule that since my toddler was the one who could try to bolt/wander, she was the first one into the car (even if I had to come back to strap her into her seat) and the last one out.

dunvilles · July 2011

Ideas:

keep a spare key with you at all times.

leave your door open until you get into the car as well

practice with your DD that she needs to stay in her seat & wait on you to strap her in

leave the drivers side window down enough so that you could reach in if she locked it again.

snicksnack · July 2011

That is scary. I have a car starter, as a PP mentioned, and I love that thing. I use it in the winter and summer. I wear DD alot if you have a Ergo or other type of carrier you could wear one child while you are straping the other one in. I can get DD into my gemini in less than 2 minutes so it would not add too much time onto getting out of daycare.

JhawkCE · July 2011

Carry an extra key in your purse.

CD+AL · July 2011

MamatoJackson:
hocus:
First off I wouldn't have the-- car running. I'd have the keys in your pocket the whole time. Yes I'm sure it is hot but the whole process isn't very long.

I'd also consider doing everything in reverse order. Put your baby in without straps, strap your toddler in, and then go and strap your toddler in. If that doesn't work get a POS umbrella stroller that you keep in the car for the baby so you can put you toddler in while the baby stays in the stroller and then put the baby in once your toddler is all set.
This.

I'll probably get flamed for saying this, but I find it quite interesting that at least according to your tickers neither one of you have two kids to wrangle yet. I think once you do have two, you'll see that it's not quite that easy or fast to get them both in their seats, especially in this heat. Plus, if you put the 7mo old in the seat unstrapped first, he's more likely to climb around and fall out of the seat than the older toddler, so that's not a good option either.

OP, I have similar issues, but my kids are slightly older than yours. As soon as we reach the car, I start the car and open all the doors including the back (SUV) to get as much air moving as possible. If I'm leaving a store or something, I leave DD (younger) in the cart/stroller while I put DS in his seat.

If not, it's much tougher, but I've trained DS to stand right beside me with his hand on the outside of my thigh so that I can feel him there even if I can't see him. Worst case scenario, I leave the driver seat door open while I do what you did. It is tough though, and you won't get flames from me. I do like the idea of rolling the front window down a bit though.

Edit: MommatoJackson, I misread your tickers, so my apologies. Embarrassed

ToBeMrsT · July 2011

I have to do something similar while getting both of my kids in the car and I always roll the window all the way down so that this never happens.

Any time I get out of the car while it's running I roll a window down.

LilCMom · July 2011

lite-bright:

I generally had a rule that since my toddler was the one who could try to bolt/wander, she was the first one into the car (even if I had to come back to strap her into her seat) and the last one out.

yes this has always been my rule too! And she will bolt at the first chance she gets which scares the crap out of me!

I think I will definitely be leaving a door open at all times!

Go_Dawgs · July 2011

I would do two things:

1) Use something like a Moby Wrap to carry the baby out to the car. You then have both hands free and can strap in the toddler first, and then the baby.

2) Never leave the keys in the ignition without having a spare set in your pocket. It always makes me so nervous when I see people doing this. Even though I live in Atlanta where it is hot and humid, I don't ever turn the car on to cool it down while I'm getting LO strapped in. I'd rather be uncomfortably hot than take even the slightest risk. However, for those who feel this is absolutely necessary, please dear God have an extra key outside of the car.

Another option (not my first choice) would be to use a "baby leash" for the toddler. Carry the infant, and walk out with the toddler with the harness (I hate calling it a leash). Then you can hold on to the "leash" and keep your toddler right next to you while strapping the baby into the car seat. I just bought this for LO, and since it's so cute I don't feel like I have him on a dog leash

https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Bug-53876-Buddy-Harness/dp/B001AXF5EC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1311284200&sr=8-4

12bailey18 · July 2011

dragon_chica:
No flames here. Just freaking out myself once #2 arrives!

Hahahah- me too!! This could EASILY be me. I'm impressed you had the car on. Yep, I'm definitely freaking out going to learn from your post, that's for sure! Glad everything turned out OK.

bubbs147 · July 2011

I usually start by opening the front passenger door and tossing in the random stuff I am picking up that day. Then I leave the door open. I always am holding DD#2, DD#1 crawls into her seat (on the passenger's side) and starts to put on her car seat straps. Then I go around to the driver's side front passenger side door still open) and put DD#2 in her seat, the middle. Then go back around to check DD#1's straps, shut the passenger door, then over to the driver's side.

So sorry you had to go through that...I hope you can find something that works for you. By the way, saw a cool product that someone posted called a cold seat. You keep it in the freezer, then lay it over the car seats while you drive to daycare. It's frozen, so it cools the seats and straps and then you take it off right before you set them in the seats. I think I'm going to try to make one!

KimW · July 2011

Absolutely no flames here! I always leave 1 door open while I'm strapping the kids in because I do exactly what you do...open the car door for #1 (she's just old enough now to climb in by herself), then go around to do #1, then back to do #1. It's easy to leave the driver's side or hatchback open because it's so hot and it's the quickest way to cool the car.

Don't worry about it mama, it happens to the best of us!!

Ciarrai · July 2011

No flames here. You should see me trying to get all three of mine in. I haven't managed to lock mine in the car yet, but I think it's luck more than anything. That and my girls can somewhat buckle themselves so they do the top and not the bottom so I have them start on that while I buckle in DS. Last weekend, I was at my BFF's and we had 6 kids between us. Her new car randomly locked itself (yes locked itself) with the keys inside. Luckily, none of the kids were inside, but they could have been.

Why not leave your infant's door open after you buckle him? Then if your daughter happens to lock it again, you have a way in. Then go around and close that after your daughter is buckled too. Another idea is to use a stroller. Get a little umbrella stroller to throw the baby in while you buckle your daughter in. Then you can throw him in, fold up the stroller and go. It's a few extra steps but it works.

aocain02@yahoo.com · July 2011

Do you have a keyless ignition at all? I usually start the car, put DS in and keep the key with me. Before we had the keyless system I always kept the valet key in my purse so my only other recommendation would be to carry a spare. AAA can make a plastic spare key for the door.

heyitsme · July 2011

How about opening the side where the baby's seat is first, having her sit on the floor where the baby's seat is while you buckle in the baby (or next to the baby's seat), then bring her around to her side to buckle her in?? Would that work?

KristinKD · July 2011

How scary for you! I'm glad you were able to get help quickly!

hocus:
I'd also consider doing everything in reverse order. Put your baby in without straps, strap your toddler in, and then go and strap your [baby] in.

That's what I did for a while. I would lean over DD1's seat to plop DD2 in her seat, then get DD1 into her seat and buckle her up, then go around to the other side to buckle DD2 up.

ANJ410 · July 2011

I haven't read the other responses but anyone that flames you probably does not have more than one child. I do the same exact thing....let my older child climb into his seat while I buckle the baby in, then come around and buckle him in, then I jump into the driver's seat. Most of the time my car keys are in my hand, but in this hot weather or in the brutal cold of the winter, the car is already running with the ac/heat on.

Glad that your LO's are okay. Don't beat youself up over it.

Summadaze · July 2011

I ALWAYS leave a door open until I have the drivers side door open. Maybe that could work for you? I put TK in his seat and leave his door slightly ajar, then go strap Khari in. Open my door a crack or leave hers open and then go strap him in. Or I close his door and lean over Khari to strap him in. I've NEVER forgotten to strap either of them in or left a door open. But most cars have the little light or beep that lets you know if the door is open. You are NOT a bad mother at all and i don't understand why anyone would flame you for this. Things happen. We live and we learn! Good luck with finding a solution that works for you.

sunnybrook. · July 2011

heyitsme:
How about opening the side where the baby's seat is first, having her sit on the floor where the baby's seat is while you buckle in the baby (or next to the baby's seat), then bring her around to her side to buckle her in?? Would that work?

I have twin toddlers. This is what I do. I have one stand/sit on the floor and hand her a book to look at while I strap #1 in. I then pick up #2 and put her in her carseat. I have also used an umbrella stroller like pp mentioned.

I live in Atlanta where its hot and humid. I wouldn't leave a toddler unstrapped in a running vehicle for even a millisecond. You were lucky all she did was lock the doors and not put it into drive. No flames. I think all moms do what they think is best and really are just making it up as they go along...that's really all we can do. Glad everyone's ok.

Tula007 · July 2011

dragon_chica:
No flames here. Just freaking out myself once #2 arrives!

This!

robinsokj · July 2011

If we're anywhere other than a house I put the twins in their stroller. This includes when we're going 10 feet to the gym daycare.

shopgirl78 · July 2011

I do something similar. I have three kids and open the door and let them in. They hang our without seatbelts (DD can put her own on). The I go around and put DS2 in, all the while I hold the keys even though it is hot as hell here too. I turn the car on then tend to the older two.