why?
more on that
in a few minutes.
today.
it begins with
a series of fails,
let’s hope it
doesn’t end that way.
first – the towel fail.
for the second time
in less than a
week there was
no towel waiting
for me when
i got out of
the shower.
why?
because i left the
damn thing hanging
on the door knob
in my bedroom.
first instinct,
still,
13+ months after
she
died was to yell,
“hey liz! can you please bring me a towel?”
fuck.
when does that
go away?
the fact that
i left my towels
all over the house
really used
to piss
liz
off, and i can
still here yelling
from the other room,
“no. sorry! you’ll have to air-dry! this is what happens when you don’t return your towel to the bathroom after your shower.”
she always ended
up bringing me
a towel, but
she always made
me suffer before
doing so.
…
instead of
getting a towel
delivered to me
by my wife,
i shook
myself like a
wet dog,
and made my
way to the linen
closet where i
found a towel.
i got dressed,
got maddy up
and dressed
then sat her
in the living room
so i could grab
some diapers for
her diaper bag.
second fail – baby proofing fail.
i was gone
for less than
a minute.
this is what
i returned to:
i guess it’s time
to keep that
coffee table free
of coffee table books.
then…
madeline in my arms,
laptop, camera and diaper bags
strapped to me,
we walked down
the stairs to
the car.
third fail – parenting fail.
i unlocked the
door and struggled to
place her into her
new, bigger girl car seat.
i threw my keys
on to the front
seat and proceeded
to buckle her in.
placed all of the
bags in the
car and closed
the door.
walked around to
the driver’s side
of the car,
pulled up on
the handle
and nothing happened.
first thought…
shit.
my child is in
the car.
and so are the keys.
and the doors are locked.
but this is not
a “shit” moment.
this is a
holymotherfuckingshitballs moment.
second thought…
how the fuck
did this happen?
i mean, all of the
doors were unlocked
when i put her
in the car.
how did they
get locked again?
did the lock
button somehow get
pushed when i
threw the keys and
the keyless entry remote?
third thought…
i am the worst
parent in the entire world.
fourth thought…
what the hell
do i do?
i have a spare
car key
in the house.
but i can’t get
into my house.
the extra key
is no longer
hidden outside,
because i have a
lock box.
yeah.
but i took the
lock box off
of the door
last week.
i know…
i’ll just crawl
through one of
the windows
of the house
and grab that extra key.
yeah.
ever since we
were burglarized,
it’s impossible to
get into our house,
especially without
setting off the alarm.
i could smash the
car window with a
rock, but i don’t
want to scare
the shit out of maddy.
i stayed calm.
it’s not that bad.
it’s early morning,
the car is shaded,
and not at all hot,
so smashing in
a window doesn’t seem necessary.
so…
i settled on something else.
i called aaa.
and no shit,
just yesterday,
i called them
to renew my
membership and to have
liz’s
name removed from
the account.
…
so the lady
on the other end
of the phone
says,
“can i help you?”
“ummm…yeah. i locked my keys in my car. and my baby is inside.”
her voice got
a little bit frantic.
“how old is the baby?”
“a little over a year old.”
“is she okay?”
“yeah. she’s laughing at me.”
“do you need me to send the fire department over?”
“ummm…nothing is on fire. why would you send the fire department?”
“to break the window.”
“really? i have rocks in my yard. i can break the window all by myself. just send a locksmith.”
she told me
not to panic and
assured me that
the locksmith would
be to my house
in fewer than 15 minutes.
then she said,
“do you need me to stay on the phone with you?”
“no.”
i knew that
madeline would freak
out if i did,
so for the next
14 minutes i stared
through the dirty
window of the car,
trying to keep
her entertained.
for while,
she laughed at me
while i made faces.
then she tired of
that, so she
just stared back
at me.
soon enough, our
friend from aaa arrived
frantically he said,
“i’m sorry it took me so long to get here”
i calmly said,
“it’s okay…she’s fine.”
and she was.
not once did
she cry.
i think it helped that
i didn’t give maddy
any indication
that i was panicked.
don’t get me wrong…
i was totally panicked,
but i knew
that things would
work out fine
so i remained
outwardly calm.
within seconds
he successfully unlocked
the doors.
he opened maddy’s
door and said,
“baby! are you okay?”
madeline smiled then laughed.
“i guess that’s a yes.”
he said.
i said,
“yeah. she’s a pretty tough kid.”
i tipped him,
and said goodbye.
i leaned into
the car and kissed
maddy on the cheek,
twice.
then i told her i
was sorry.
i got into the
car and we
headed in the
direction of burbank.
i got her to
daycare without
any further incidents.
and now i’m at
work, and i am
not going to be
playing with
any sharp objects for
the rest of the day.
483 Comments
Oopsie.
These things happen.
Ohhh Matt! Even the most dedicated parents make mistakes!
Maddy is okay. I promise. No need to call CPS.
and i thought i was having a rough day with my sore throat.
Sounds like you had quite a morning!! Glad everything turned out okay and no you are not the worst parent – the same thing has happened to many many parents I’m sure – way to keep it cool!!. You’re doing a terrific job with Maddy!!
I’ve totally done this before, I didn’t have AAA and I had to walk to my neighbor’s house (my phone was in there as well). My who was 18 months at the time, found it hilarious, thank goodness!
Don’t feel bad Matt, I managed to do that to my oldest not once, but twice. You’d think I would have learned after the first time! It’s probably a good thing they don’t issue parenting license cause I’m sure I would have lost mine by now!
Dang dude. Yeah, that would make me want to go back inside, crawl under the covers and start my day all over again. Sheesh!
Hope your day gets better!
If it makes you feel any better, you’re NOT the worst parent in the world. It was something that could have happened to any of us (and probably HAS happened to a lot of us!!) but you remained calm, did what you needed to do, and most of all, you made sure that Maddy stayed calm as well. Good job, Matt.
I locked my 7 month old in the car at my Christmas party for work. A job I had just got. My brand new boss had to comfort me as I cried. So, nice job Dad– another crisis handled.
no need to call child services…sounds like while the morning fairly sucked you got it under control and Maddie wasn’t fazed in the least, that gets a check plus in my book!
Wow, you’ve really been through the ringer lately, haven’t you? I’m so glad you and Maddie are okay though!
sounds like a normal day for me….except they’re double fails on account of having twins. I am afraid of the day they figure out that they outnumber me.
don’t stress too much about it.
oh man! I have a kid about maddie’s age and have a constant fear of doing this- or worse (I think) somehow locking her in the house alone!
Matt -
This will be my response that goes above 25 words.
I crap you not that I did the same thing one day and, unfortunately, I did freak out.
It was not a pretty site when the husband arrived to unlock the door – baby sobbing, me sobbing..
Him..
Laughing at the insanity of it all because the door to the house was left unlocked.
I hate it when that happens.
ugh rough start, the good news is that things can only get better!
Oh Matt, there will be days like this, but you handled it like a pro, I would have panicked and then one of my kids would have been wailing. Isn’t funny how we have car/home alarms and usually are the ones who’ll be bound to set them off!
Hope your day and week improves ten-fold!
You are NOT a fail. My mom did the same thing with my stepbrother’s kid the very first time she got to take him out alone. Seems like this kind of stuff happens to every parent, right?
We have *all* been there. Two parents or not, we’ve all had days where we suck at everything we do. Trust me.
I am laughing so hard right now at that last line…although it may be a good idea, seems like you are having one of those days friend. Maybe you should just go home. lol
Glad you’re dry, that no stuff was too badly demolished by your mini godzilla (aren’t kids super fast? sheesh!) and that Maddy is no longer locked up.
Here’s hoping the rest of the day is a little more boring.
Tricia and Bella in the So. Cal
I’m glad it worked out well. I’m always paranoid that the same thing will happen to me. My daughter loves when you play peek-a-boo through the back window with her while pumping gas so I think she would be fine too.
I hope the rest of your day goes smoothly and you don’t have any more fails.
Laughing with you, not at you! The local locksmith and I used to be on a first name basis. I haven’t locked myself out with the kids inside yet, but it’s just a matter of time.
why is it that every time i read your blog, i laugh and cry at the same time? you always tell the story so that i can picture exactly what’s going on. love it!!
No offense, but I am laughing my ass off! I’m glad you kept it together.
so the number to CPS is…
is it Monday or Friday the 13th or something? Good call on no sharp objects.
(((hugs)))
Thanks for sharing that, I like your cool as cucumber attitude. Brilliant.
And, I don’t know when ‘the expecting your wife to be there’ goes away. I think it nice, that forgeting a towel, can actually remind you of Liz.
You are an amazing dad with a beautiful baby girl.
Come say hi if you ever have time.
http://midlifemommy07.blogspot.com/
oh how awful! i’m so glad maddy was okay.
if it makes you feel any better, here’s the story of how my mom locked my youngest sister in the car accidentally when my sister was just three months old. her car got stuck in a snow drift, and she got out of the car to try and dig away the snow. she didn’t think about the fact that her car doors autolock. when she got back to the car and couldn’t open the door she also realized why they autolocked–she still had the car in park! the car was in gear, with a three month old baby sleeping inside. my mom was so hysterical. of course her cell phone was also inside the car, and she was out on a rural road with little traffic and no houses nearby.
but someone drove by, and called a locksmith and the car didn’t disengage from the snowdrift and take off with my sleeping sister inside. my sister slept the whole time and everyone was okay in the end.
Oh Matt…..lol….my goodness….kind of a lil shit storm you have going on there! It happens to all of us!
Like the PIT tells me “Lifes full of hills momma but we’ll always get to the top and we’ll enjoy the view”
Idk….shes only 7 but I kinda like the way it sounds!
i had to laugh, you poor thing! what a day you’re having. i think buying a lottery ticket is in order, though maybe you should do it BEFORE you pick Maddy up from day care. My one tip for locking child in the car, whenever I put Landon in the car I always first open another door to the car so that I’d have to accidentally close 2 doors before locking him in te car. Parent brain. it makes us do silly things. My fail for today was leaving a full glass of ice tea within reach of my 21 month old and then going to the bathroom. leading to half of the ice tea to end up on the floor, the other half in my son. he’s slightly hyper now….
No worries. I locked my son in the car along with my cell phone in the middle of August and the windows up. Yep crazy. I stood in the Walmart parking lot crying as he sat in the car playing with my keys. Finally a couple that recognized me from church came over and asked if everything was okay and then offered their cell for me to call help. You’re just becoming a pro at daddying.
you are an awesome daddy! way to keep calm. and i would like to point out that her car seats straps are positioned perfectly!!
er, that should be that she had the car still in DRIVE, not park.
Oh goodness! I bet that was an experience! It looks like you both got a little laugh out of it though. That is precisely why I have a keyless entry keypad on my car. I would have totally locked Mia in the car many times if it wasn’t for that. The lady on the phone was priceless though!! I hope your day goes better!!
(and my mom worked for child services, on top of it all, haha.)
p.s. second fail of the day.. while responding to your post my son put a piece of corn up his nose.
hugs from NJ,
Erica and Landon (the corn as been removed)
Wow. Just reading that made my heart rate pick up, lol. Good job for staying so calm! I would’ve been a WRECK.
AWESOME!!!! been there done that…except i locked my son in the house and i was outside…talk about scary!!! Went to get the mail and the door was locked. I could see him through the window but could do nothing to stop him from crawling and getting into EVERYTHING! keep up the great work!!!!;)
Don’t feel too bad. I did that exact same thing in a Toys R Us parking lot when my daughter was about 7 months old. I was so traumatized that I have never been back to Toys R Us. She, however, was just fine.
I once did this when my son was 4 months old in the middle of winter in the middle of nowhere in WI. it was very scary and the aaa guy took longer then 15 minutes. I still think twice about where the keys are when I put him in his seat.
I have locked my keys in my car a total of 5 times since I started driving. One of those times I didnt even realize until two hours later. I was leaving Applebees, walk out to the parking lot and find my car running. I thought to myself about how stupid I was, but then felt even more stupid when I realized that when I got out of the car I locked the doors. The police came and we were good to go. ha. I also have had a child locked in the car. I have a three year old who loves to push the lock buttons. I usually realize this and NEVER leave the keys in the car, but its happened a few times. I bought this little box that has a magnet on the bottom and stuck it underneath my car. It has yet to fall off.
it happens…and it doesnt make you a bad parent.
You gotta love mornings like that. I love the look on her face – she’s like, “OK, Dad, what else do ya got?”
The coffee table isn’t a fail–that’s encouraging literacy and an interest in music. The car…hey, at least it wasn’t running. And in drive. We’ve all been there. It’s what happens after we give our brains to our children.
Not a failure…just crappy luck for a bit…I locked my kid along with two others in the car when I was a nanny in my younger years…scary …. and I did have to call the fire dept!
You did the best thing by “appearing” calm…Maddy’s a trooper!
“but this is not
a “shit” moment.
this is a
holymotherfuckingshitballs moment”
-matt logelin
Awesomeness but
bad circumstance.
Hope the rest of your day is smooth!
Wow, what a way to start the day. I totally know how it feels to “fail” at the parenting thing. It is hard!! Glad all are fine and at the end of the day you can look back and laugh at the way being a parent can kick you in the ass some days.
Glad it turned out okay! I had a good laugh at your exchange with the AAA operator!
SWEET! I am glad that it all worked out in the end! My dogs are natorious for mysteriously locking me out of the car… it’s amazing that they can’t hit the button again to UNLOCK the door- granted I have only made that mistake…twice- at least the 2nd time I had the keys in my hand….
Have a great rest of a wednesday!!
Aww. Yeah that would be good to stay away from sharp objects. Poor guy!
Simply HI-Larious!!
You are now a part of the
“Was My Head Up My ASS?”
Club!!
holymotherfuckingshitballs halarious! Have a safe rest of the day! Way to stay calm in the situation I would have freaked out! Also just out of curiousity when did you stop saying “the” before the name of a city or place….like for example “the” burbank? Just curious I thought that was a funny quirk of yours.
It’s only a matter of time before I do the same thing! Glad AAA was able to get to you so fast. I might need to think about getting them…..
Maddy is fine and you’re one of the best father’s to date! It happens to be best of us so don’t dwell in guilt. Rather than remaining calm, my friends blew their window out with a brick … your decision was MUCH safer.
You’re definitely not the worst parent in the world. I’ve had many mishaps. When my oldest daughter was a few months old, she was on the changing table, I bent to throw her diaper in the pail and she rolled off. It was just a matter of seconds. She landed… FACE down, on the floor. She’s 7 now, there wasn’t any permanent damage.
The night I brought my youngest home from the hospital, I was laying on the couch with her, on my chest. I dozed off, she rolled off my chest, on to the floor. Just a day old. She had carpet burn on her forehead. She’s 3 now and no permanent damage was done. Neither one even remember it, lol.
Things happen! But I do hope you have a better day!
OMG! Thats my biggest fear! You handled it like a pro! No worries about feeling like a bad parent!! I think we all make those kinda mistakes or have those Holymotherfunckingshitballs moments!! LMAO!! Funny to hear that all Maddy did was laugh at you!
Sorry about the towel failing moment
I hope it gets easier for you someday….I also think it is a guy thing, bc my husband leaves his towel everywhere besides where it should be! Gezzz~
Even with all your “fails” today…Your still one of the most amazing fathers I have ever seen
Thanks for sharing~
Ok, so I laughed out loud 4 times today
“holymotherfuckingshitballs”
That is funny….I am glad everything turned out ok. Maddy will have fun reading this entry at some point in her distant future.
What a crappy way to start the day. Good story though!
DOH!!!
Good thing she is a mellow chick.
Oh… and work on the towel thing… no daughter should have to deliver a towel to a wet, nekid daddy!!
I’m sorry to laugh, but that is funny shit. It happens to the most prepared amongst us.
Luckily, you live in a larger area where when the help arrives they don’t automatically call human services to investigate you and your mental health. Here, in hilljack territory where I live (proud to say not from here) that’s what would’ve happened.
fail #3: f’ing hysterical. did that to my son too when he was 8 mos old. and it was raining, so i stood in the rain. don’t worry, you’re just like the rest of us. still laughing…awesome.
That is hilarious! Well, now that it’s over and Maddy is okay
I’ve heard if you give someone else your spare key and call them on your cell phone and hold the phone up to the car, they can use the remote and it will work to open your car. Never tried it, but something to keep in mind I guess. Glad everything worked out okay. You’re still a kick ass dad!!
i’m cracking up. it reminded me of when i left my husband alone for the morning to go to a meeting. he locked himself out of the house with our daughter in the exersaucer. instead of breaking in – he waited 45 minutes for the locksmith. she screamed and screamed – he watched through the window. the best part? she never went near the exersaucer again.
BTDT, except my 3yo actually locked me out, i drive a truck and while strapped in the back in his carseat he can reach the lock with his foot, he thought it was funny, i of course did not, now i keep an extra truck key in my pocket in addition to the one on the key ring.
love the new carseat. we love our Britax’s. hope shes still RF since its 5 times safer. my 18 mo is still RF with no complaints (and will be as long as he can)
It happens to all of us. When my now 18 yo daughter was 2 she locked me out of the house. Laughed at me the whole time. I was horrible at the baby proofing…videos all over the place.
googling the number to LA DFACS now.
We all have these days when we feel like an accident about to happen. Tomorrow will be better.
Oh Matt..I am so glad that Maddy is okay and I am laughing because the same thing has happened twice at our house.
The first time, I actually had the car running though. The 2nd time my sweet princess, Julia locked me out of the house. We have an attached garage, so while Julia was attempting to put on her shoes, I ran in the garage to heat up the car…I left the door going into the house open(thinking I was a good mom) and I heard the house door slam shut and then I heard it lock…that was an OH FUCK moment…I ran around to the front door and I was trying to have her open the door…she is a smart girl but she just turned 2 so of course it was way more fun to wave at me as she was heading up the stairs instead of trying unlock the door. Luckily we had given a key to the neighbors and luckily they were home!! We now have keys hidden so it can never happen again!!
Thanks for making me laugh…I was having a shitty day!!
Oh gosh, Matt, I can’t even count the number of times my friends with kids have done this. I don’t have kids yet, but I can totally see myself doing this. More than once. A lot. Too many times.
You handled it perfectly. But she will read this one day and totally give you shit about it.
I hate to say it but damn, this post made me laugh. I’m sure you were totally freaked out in the moment but as a blog post? Hysterical.
Really it was the “No.” to staying on the phone with the AAA lady that did it.
Staying away from sharp objects sounds like a good plan.
Oh man, I laughed out loud so much in this post! From the frantic AAA operator to the pictures of Maddy through the glass to the “Baby! Are you okay?” I’m glad she’s fine and things went as smoothly as possible.
I know that this wasn’t funny at the time, but I’m sure you will look back and laugh! By the way, the way you tell stories is fantastic! You make me laugh and/or cry, depending on the situation.
It is totally a parenting moment. I have done that twice! Once to each of my children. They were fine and thought I was hysterical for making faces at them. Thank goodness for our locksmith in town. It’s free if your kid is stuck inside! Maddy will still love you even if you do lock her in the car every now and then. Ok, hopefully never again!!! LOL!!!
You rock for holding your shit together. I’d probably have a nervous breakdown if I locked my DOG in the car.
I was lmao this entire post.I have locked my baby in the car too. But I freaked out and cried and broke a window. Ur fine. Wait until she starts locking herself in the bathroom.
You dick.
P.S. I will not be putting a disclaimer on this for all the ‘new’ peeps
Too bad you had to wreck a good Wednesday with a case of the Monday’s.
Does it make me an ahole because your misfortunes made me giggle? Hope your day has improved!!!
hey.. shit happens. If that is the worst that you have done I think you are doing just great. Now.. I would have been a panicked mess thus sending my child into hysterics. You did exactly what you are supposed to do.
that same exact thing happened to me when my son was about the same age. I never, ever toss my keys in the front seat anymore, LMAO. That was almost 8 years ago, and I’m still haunted by it…thank goodness it was a cool day about 60 degrees, and I did the same thing…making faces through the other side of the window until help arrived.
We all have days or even weeks like that, it just means you’re a normal parent!!! ♥
Don’t feel too bad, Matt! It will be a funny story for her later on, when she’s a teenager
And I love the look on her face when she’s in the car!
After reading all that, my two main thoughts are: 1) You now have a whole nation of women picturing you naked and shaking water off you like a dog and 2) WTF?! I was supposed to be TIPPING the AAA guys all this time!? Crap.
lol….if those offenses warranted calling CPS, i think no one would have their kids!
PS, The Road – awesome book
sigh of relief… it’s over, she’s fine and you’re fine. ahh, now relax.
I totally did that when my 14 year old was about Maddy’s age. Only she was sleeping and we were getting ready to go and get my hubby from the base as he was off duty-so it was like 11pm. I totally freaked out and from then on I always put my stuff on the roof of the car so I wouldn’t be locked out of it. But one day I drove off -because we were running late -with my purse on top of my car. yea…that didn’t work out too well. I did eventually get my purse back but I could never get that smell out of it.
it is a rite of passage. my husband did it with the car running. you earned another set of stripes. congrats.
I locked my son in the car a few weeks ago in the parking lot at the doctor’s office. We were going in for his 2-year check up. We were actually early. I couldn’t believe how smoothly the morning was going and then the unthinkable happened. I have no idea what the heck I was thinking. Of course, my cell phone was locked inside, too. He screamed at the absolute top of his voice for 15 minutes until help arrived. Everyone was staring. I was positive the doctor would have him taken away from me. I felt like a total dumbfuck. I guess these things happen sometimes. Thanks so much for sharing your story!
matt, i did the same thing when my daughter was madeline’s age. at a park in the beginning of summer in georgia. the fire department came because they could get there the fastest. it was getting hotter by the minute. my daughter laughed at me for 30 minutes and cried the last 10. i felt like such a horrible mother. i tried everything to break in that window. rocks, branches, etc. i even had some girlfriend’s with me who tried. tons of scratches but not one break. those minutes were like hours to me. the firemen came and used a little pick and it shattered instantly. i have never hugged her tighter (well, i’ll save another story for later lol). all the little boys in the park came running to see the firemen and the big truck and i just stood there holding my baby with tears running down my face. to this day, i hold those keys constantly. i never lay them down. it’s been 2 years. i still have dents on a few windows – reminders of that day. it happens to the best of us. madeline laughed because she knew she was safe and feels safe with you. you handled it like a champ.
holy smokes. i would have shit my pants more than a few times.
glad maddy is well
guess you didn’t need a morning coffee to get you going.
Thank you for a much needed laugh today!! You are such a good writer, you should write a book!
It happens to the best of parents, I am so glad Maddy did not know you were panicked! And thank God for cool weather!
The “baby, are you ok?” from the AAA guy was cute and funny. I am glad you didn’t freak out and I am sure if it had gotten warmer you would’ve broken the window. What a scary experience! I am so glad it turned out alright.
You know I was going to say something like “OMG you horrible fucking father” but you know not all of your commenters get that some of us are sarcastic and joke around with you like that….
So I’ll just say, shit happens, we’ve all done it, and if that’s the worse you ever do to her, then so be it.
Although I still think dislocating her arm ranks higher. LOL
Been there, done that, in the Costco parking lot. I was trying to coach my kid on how to open the door. People were walking by laughing. She kept trying to interrupt me (she was 2 1/2) but I kept saying “Olivia, push the thing UP. Olivia UP.” Finally she held up her “talk to the” hand and walked away from my door, went to the back sliding door, unlocked it and opened it for me.
Boy was my face red!! lol
I did this twice.
Once when my kids were about 2 1/2 and 6 months and the other time was just my youngest and he was 1. I think everyone does these types of things at least once in their lives. 
Just think of it as a funny story you can tell her someday. I don’t have kids but I once locked the kids I was babysitting in the car. That was a fun call to the parents. Oops!
It happens. CPS will NOT be alerted
She looked super cute sitting there wondering what the hell was going on.
Those holymotherfuckingshitballs moments are going to come now and then. But you handled it fine!
Last week my tire blew out in the middle of nowhere with my two small kids in the car. I can’t tell you how many scary thoughts went through my head. 20/20 can scare the crap out of you sometimes.
I am so glad she is ok and everything worked out.
Hey, welcome to the club!! My poor daughter barely made it through her infant years thanks to my clumsiness. There was the time I forgot to lock the handle of her infant car seat and when I picked it up with her in it, the seat swung wildly and she flipped right out. Or the time I lost my balance and bumped into her, knocking her down a small flight of stairs. Yeah, she’s older now and steers clear of me!
These things must happen if you are to truly consider yourself a seasoned parent. Good job staying outwardly calm. You are an A+ daddy again today!
We all screw up! You are still a great dad and Maddie is still laughing! Thanks for the laughs. Glad it all worked out! You are an amzing father but you are also human:) Keep doing what you are doing!
I did the EXACT same thing when my oldest was a baby and it SUCKED!!!!! and he was a baby and it was food time……..YOUR awesome
I’m seven month pregnant with our first baby and I already know, this will happen to me. I can only hope to remain as calm as you did.
HILARIOUS!!! You handled it like a pro…glad Maddy kept you calm.
And the other two incidences…water under the bridge in comparison, no?
once my niece reached Maddy’s age she hit her toddler growth spurt where her arms now reached the power window switch.
woohoo, she thought, new toy! she burned out the motor on the window in less than a year.
needless too say we now use the lock function on the master switch so she can’t open the window and hurl cheerios/etc. down the highway.
is maddy able to reach the locks on her side of the car?
Oh Matt! I did the same thing with my son when he was Maddys age. I called the police and they said, “We don’t unlock car doors, I screamed in the phone, My baby is in the car you better f*** come unlock my car door!”
You’re not a bad daddy, just a frazzled daddy trying to keep up with everything in your life. You are okay.
Hey Matt,
You’d think it was a Monday morning. Definitely not a bad dad. Just one of those mornings!
Your post just made my day
Don’t worry, things like that happen to all of us. I almost locked my keys in the car once so now I make sure to keep them in my coat or pants pocket after putting my daughter in her car seat. We all have our days when we feel like bad parents. A couple of weeks ago my daughter ate black olives and pickles for dinner…that was it. I felt like crap but at least she had something in her tummy 
Love the pic of Maddy staring back at you…she’s adorable!
That happened to me when my daughter was about two. I ended up giving her directions on how to unbuckle her car seat and hit the power door lock (I later regretted giving her the knowledge of how to escape her car set). No CPS calls from me.:)
i did the same thing but at my sons school..he was in Kindergarten and my daughter was sleeping I got out to put the bag in the trunk and oops locked the keys in the trunk!
It was so NOT a proud parent moment for me!
But everything worked out just fine!!
i’ve not only done that, but once i jumped out of the car forgetting it was in reverse and watched the car roll down the driveway with my baby in it, thankfully we dont live on a busy street and the curb stopped it!
I think this event is practically a parental rite of passage. No worries. Lock box, huh? Sounds like change is headed your way…
I once locked myself AND the baby inside the car! I had climbed into the back to buckle him up. The car had safety locks in the back. And safety windows.
I was literally stuck inside my own car!
I couldn’t climb over the seat because the car seat was in the center. I couldn’t roll down the window. I couldn’t get anyone’s attention because it was a rainy, chilly day and the windows had steamed up so no one could see us!
Eventually I was able to shove the front seat forward and crawl over, in my dress, and get into the front seat.
Thank goodness you had AAA there to help you so quickly! That’s great piece of mind.
cps should be arriving any time now to question you. the reason i know? i’m personal friends with the folks at cps. they came and got me when i locked myself out of the house…with my baby inside. roaming free in the house—bound to get into something that i have neglected to babyproof.
oh my morning!!! this reminds me of the story when my g-maw- in- law got locked into the trunk of her car looking for a leak while her 4 year old grandson put the hose on the car…WTF
and I just got that car seat and Juniper loves it!
oh yeah, been there. DONE THAT! Felt terrible! It was in the driveway of my daycare ladies house…. it took about 15 minutes for the cop to show up and unlock the doors… You did great!
It happens. I did the same thing when my son was a newborn and my daughter was 18 months. Only it was 110 outside and even hotter in the car. I don’t know how the doors locked when I shut them, but they did. And my purse and phone were on the front seat.
I had to leave the kids alone, and run up the block to use someone’s phone to call 911 (the heat) and a locksmith. I was so scared. Paramedics, police and a locksmith showed up.
I cried, but the kids never did. They just sat there sweating profusely, and then got transferred to the ambulance when the car door was finally opened.
Since that day I have never laid my keys down before I am in the front seat myself!
You’re doing great.
Once I got locked out while babysitting with the children inside. A neighbor pushed me through a window that we managed to get open.
Then once the doors locked on me with the child inside the car. Luckily we were in the driveway, so I had the spare – but it could have been a lot worse.
Yeah, it happens to a lot of us…
I did the same thing… twice
two different babies (both mine),two different cars, two different guilt trips about being a horrible parent
Oh, Matt, honey… it’s okay. I have locked both of my children in the car, on two separate occasions, doing the exact same thing you did. It happens. She’s fine, you’re fine, it’s all fine. Hugs from MN,
Heather
UGH….what a morning for you. You did great though, and handled it like a champ. Take a look at my twitter update from last night (laurie218). It was just a normal “of course these things happen to me day”. UGH!
matt,
it happens to everyone. Once my daughter got on an elevator in our apt complex, when she was 2 and the doors closed .
without me
I looked at the numbers as it kept going up-to the 4th floor. I ran out of the lobby and looked up (open floors) and there she is, alone on the 4th floor, waving to me as she was trying to climb through the railing.
can you say heart attack???
I ran to the stairs yelling for her to get down
ran my fat ass up 4 flights of stairs as she was trying to climb down the concrete stairs
managed to catch her right before she fell down said concrete stairs
First thing is that you handled this like a pro. Panicking is never a good idea. Second, I hate the bigger kid carseats they are complicated and finally, I love in one of the pictures Madeline looks annoyed. That is priceless.
Everyone has days like this. Trust me, you are a fantastic father! You are doing wonderful.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who laughed through out your entire story. You’re an awesome dad!
Oh man, btdt. My three year old son was strapped into his seat nice and tight and as I panicked he was calling out to me, “Mommy, I’m counting on you!”. Luckily he was able to get out of his straps and open the door for me. Another time he locked himself in the bathroom (at age 1) and I had to climb a ladder and sit on it outside the window trying to keep him out of the toilet until my mother-in-law could get there with our extra key. Scary, scary times.
You have a great eye for baby girl fashion, she looks so chic!
If it makes you feel better, most parents I know (including myself) take a baby-proof-as-you-go approach. Baby got all my cds and dvds out, put a lock on it. Next day it’ll be something else. It happens to all of us. I have also locked my daughter in our car when she was about Maddy’s age with my keys AND my phone. My neighbor got it unlocked with a coat hanger in seconds. That made me feel really safe.
My second child has severe autism and I don’t know what I was thinking when I ran out to get the mail one day without my keys. He was 4 at the time and, he ran right behind me and slammed and deadbolted the front door. My daughter was at the neighbors playing so he was all alone. I ran around the house frantically trying to see him and keep him near the door or window where I could see him for 40 minutes until my husband got home to let me back in. All I could think about for 40 minutes was the stove and all the kitchen knives. We also have a half wall upstairs that looks down to the first floor and he loved to walk across that. Fortunately once I got back in, he was completely unharmed and so was the house. =phew!=
You have to get a few parent points back for not freaking out and making her cry. At least you were prepared with AAA, like a boy scout except with a “R” rating! Glad everything turned out good.
I did that once…locked the keys in the car with the baby. Only, I was at Wal-Mart, it was pouring rain, and it was a nice police officer who rescued me. Don’t fell bad. It happens to all of us.
Yeah, you’re normal – that happens to all of us, really, it does – to all of us…I promise!
I’m just glad that in your case it wasn’t mid-afternoon, high sun, 104 degrees with a screaming child who is perspiring profusely – our son (23 years ago) after being retrieved from the scorching heat, was comforted and everything turned out fine!
Love looking in at your life, you are an inspiration.
Regarding your first instinct to call to Liz: it’s normal to still have that instinct. It will fade in time. It just takes as long as it takes.
And locking your keys and Maddy in the car, that is so very low on the Shitty-Things-Parents-Do-To-Their-Kids list. We all make mistakes. What is important is that you kept your cool, came up with a plan (that worked like a charm!), and didn’t freak Maddy out. The fact that you made the effort to hide your panic so as not to scare Maddy, proves that you are a good dad and are doing right by her. She never even knew anything was wrong. It’s all good.
Read this. http://trashaloucan.blogspot.com/2008/09/i-was-laughing-it-so-hard-i-needed.html
Honestly you will feel so much better
It was a Monday for you. Monday’s suck. Especially when they don’t happen on a Monday.
OMG! I’ve locked my baby in the car the exact same way. Not sure what the heck happened but my doors locked on me as soon as I closed my daughters door -they were all unlocked! Lucky for me I was in a Church parking lot and for whatever reason the church had a slimjim and I kid you not the pastor broke into my car for me. LOL!
I pretty much relate to most of that post….it seems like there are days like this every now and then…..great job remaining outwardly calm, I am sure it made all the difference! Enjoyed the post!
Hilarious!!! I’m sorry, but I’m laughing like hell over here. I’m glad you and Maddy are safe and sound and where you should be.
“Baby! Are you okay?”
I was laughing out loud at the total stream of consciousness you were using in this entry. I felt like I was there with you. And I was laughing my ass off, even though I’m sure it wasn’t funny at the time. But what an amazing little girl to just sit there nicely and wait. She was probably like “Dad, what the F are you doing out there? You should sit down and relax.”
My trick is to put the car keys right next to the seat on the outside every time I buckle the kids in. Then before I shut the door, I grab them. I have only not grabbed them once and almost had a heart attack that I had locked them in. (I didn’t, but it was close.)
I too have locked my baby in the car – except it was snowing and I didn’t have a jacket on (we were just running into the store to grab something and come right back). Thank goodness I had my cell phone in my pocket. AAA was there in a flash too – and I am sure my kiddo was wondering why I looked like a snowman!
this is a huge fear of mine, and I recently joined aaa for that exact reason! glad maddy is such a trouper.
A lot of us do this; it’s a parenting right of passage, so to speak. Welcome to the bad parent club!
First time poster, have followed for quite awhile.
This is why I thank God that my car doors automatically UNLOCK when the door shuts and have to be locked either by the key in the drivers door, the key fob thingy or by being inside the car and hitting the drivers lock. Otherwise I would have been there done that MANY MANY times!
Glad you remained calm. This stuff happens to all of us. Way to handle it with grace.
What a trooper!
I hate days like that! Here is to hoping that tomorrow….make that every day from now on….is better.
For some reason my car does this too. Is yours a Nissan? Maybe Murano? We have the Rogue and it started locking itself when I have the doors open. I have been very paranoid lately of this happening to me! And we don’t have AAA. Maybe it’s time to sign up. I don’t know what the deal is but i make a point to keep the keys and my cell phone in my pockets at all times.
No offense, but that was funny. You made me laugh a few times, while reading this post (I was in much need of a laugh today). I’m glad everything worked out fine, Maddy is awesome and you handled it just perfect. Sorry about the towel fail and the memories it brought back to you. Have a better, nice, awesome rest of the day.
((Hugs))
Matt, I just read about your story in an old people magazine and I am so sorry for you, but to read your blog is somewhat hilarious. When my daughter was about 2, I locked her in the car with the car running. While she sat there laughing at me, I got someone to open the car door with a coat hanger, you would not be able to do that now. Just know, almost every single parent has had something like that happen. My daughter is now 12 years old and she doesn’t remember anything, I tell her every once in a while to get a laugh out of her. Cherish these times with Maddy because they grow up so quickly. I can’t wait to read your blog 10 years from now when she is becoming a woman and maybe not so sweet! I will say a prayer for you and Maddy at night
I gave up on the coffee table and just loaded it with kid books. So much for “we will never be the kind of people that have a coffee table filled with kid stuff”.
As for the car – one of my biggest fears. Good job staying outwardly calm!
I have done something very similar three kids locked in the car….now I never let the baby play with the keys.
Geez, I’ve been in the same shoes while raising my kids. But when it happened with my 3 year old, he thought it was hysterical, got out of his car seat and proceeded to laugh at me, knowing I was trying to get in…..NOW, I can see the humor, but that day, it was not so funny. You are doing a great job as a Dad, Matt and my prayers are with you and Maddy.
Happens to the best of us. Maddy’s awesome. I love that she just stared at you and smiled at the locksmith.
My hubby would have smashed all four windows for good measure. He has a tendency to overreact. Good for you and Maddy that you did not.
Uhg! Been there!… Only my daughter, Amanda, was 4 months old, we were in the church parking lot, and the temps were below freezing (we had ice on the ground)… We don’t have Triple A, so someone called 911 and the fire department came. They didn’t break a window, but it did take them 45 minutes to get the door open on the van. Poor Amanda cried herself to sleep.
As you’ve read by now, you are not the first parent to have a truly craptacular morning like that when you are totally sure CPS will come at take your child
Heck, I have a good friend who drove off *with his kid in her carrier on the roof of the car!* Kid you not. He only went a couple hundred yards and didn’t hit any high speed, but oh man, the panic!!!
Good on you for renewing!
AAA is a god send
But yeah, could be a day to stay away from the sharp things.
thanks for sharing – as you continue to share, you’ll see how truly not alone you are.
Good Job staying calm Matt! I am so paranoid about this so I always put my keys on the roof of the car when I lean in to buckle a certain squirmy 2 year old into his seat. There is no chance of driving off with them or locking them in!
HA! I laughed outloud reading this post. I locked by oldest son in the car when he was about Maddie’s age – we happened to be in the parking lot at the pediatrician! Unfortunately I didn’t handle it as calmly as you did. Don’t worry about baby proofing. Kids will ALWAYS find a way to get into something they shouldn’t, no matter how much you “baby proof”.
Matt – I can assure you that there is NO need to call child services
Everyone else is right stuff happens and that is how we learn. I remember my daughter being a few months older than Maddy when I was at a Honda dealership and did the very same thing. I was putting her in the car seat and always put my stuff in the front seat first by slinging it over the seat. Not sure how the doors got locked but they did and I was most certainly panicked. Like Maddy, Kaleigh hadn’t a care in the world except for she was laughing at me.
I have followed your blog like everyone else in the free world and I can tell you that I 100% feel like you are doing a great job as a parent. I was a single mother at the age of 18 and had never even changed a diaper. I was clueless as to what to do and I always felt like a bad parent when things happened such as the things that happened to you earlier. Just keep your head up and remember that your not always going to do everything perfectly but Maddy will love you regardless.
Oh nooooo – you mean you’re not perfect?! =)-
Sorry about the shitty start to your day!
Don’t feel too bad. I locked myself out of the house once when Anna was about 5 months old.
I sat her in her swing and then ran out to grab the mail real quick and came back to a locked garage door. I freaked because I could hear her crying. I was in my pajamas and had to ask some construction guy in my neighborhood to use his phone to call my Grandma to come with her extra keys. Pretty embarrassing/scary. Luckily Anna calmed down and was just hanging out in her swing when I got back in the house 15 minutes later.
It happens to all of us!
Well handled! Despite the mishaps.
Have to comment on the book in the deconstructed living room pic though – I really like The Road. Dark, but so well written. Have you read it or is it on the to-read-when-I-am-not-running-around-all-the-time list?
I did the very thing Matt not a month ago with my 11 mth old. It happens to the best of us!! I hope you have a great day!! Hugs to you and Maddy!!
Ahhhhhh, don’t you just hate those kinds of days?
i’m pretty sure my sister and i have done that to each one of our children on separate occasions…shit happens. just wait, eventually she’ll lock you out and sit there laughing at you for a while
although when it happened to me, it didn’t seem quite as funny as it does now.
as long as maddy forgives you, all is okay…and i’m pretty sure she already did. just don’t tell her so she can make fun of you when she’s 13…it’ll happen.
we all love you, obviously.
Matt –
Kudos for not panicking. More good stories for her when she grows up. And in your true public service announcement nature I am further reminded that we gotta get AAA.
Been there done that with the locked car. I’m gald you are both O.K. You might want to think about putting an extra car/house key in your wallet.
I have so been there. You are not alone. At least yours was quick..Mine took over an hour and half to arrive with multiple calls to triple aaa. thank god for spring weather in new england. glad all turned out ok. We are on the one year death of my dad tomorrow. I hope we make through ok. say an extra prayer for us.
Wow!!! Rough start to the morning! Well… I hope the rest of the day goes better for you! And trust me, this shit happens! By the way, I have officially added a new word to my dictionary…”holymotherfuckingshitballs”! Love it!
I’ve done the same thing, and most other parents I’ve talked to have done the same or something similar, its like a rite of passage. You can also call the police. They will come get you in your car for free really fast with no broken windows.
I need to learn the panic control system from you. Oh, I act like I’m not panicked…But am a terrible actor. Good job Matt!
Been there, done that WITH THE CAR RUNNING!
I would have freaked out! Anyways Matt, one day you’ll look back at this and laugh (if it’s not already today
) Shit just happens like that sometimes. Maddy is one brave little girl, you handled yourself in the best way possible, way to go! I love those pictures you took of her while locked in the car. I wonder what she must have been thinking….
thank you for making me feel normal & sorry for all the hassle you had to go through.
same thing happened to me my son was not a year yet and to this day i still dont know who those fucking doors lock but as long as you stay calm they will stay calm. thks for sharing.
Aww, you handled it very well! My Mom locked me in the car when I was about Maddy’s age, and I turned out fine!
Been there done that… so glad it turned out ok, mine did too. I feel like an asshole for even saying this, but your labeling this a “holymotherfuckingshitballs moment” is hilarious and so appropriate.
done it twice, once with my daughter and once with my fur kid. I was home when the daughter was locked in, so the local officer opened the door. She slept thru it! 2nd- I was traveling when i locked the dog in with damn car running!!! Highway patrol (sweet kind caring) opened the door! both were unfazed. I was on the verge of a stroke. your okay, no need for child services yet ; )
Matt –
Good afternoon. No worries, stuff happens. You handled it a heck of a lot better than anybody I know. Maddie is a champ, you are such a lucky daddy to have such a great daughter and she is lucky to have you.
OMG you had a day that most all parents at least have once… I bet most parents have at least one story of accidentally locking their kid in the car… For me, it was Christmas Eve when my son was 3 and he actually locked the door from the inside himself.
One of my friends did that once… only at Target and with one of her triplets. Imagine how crazy she looked wearing one baby in a bjorn, having another baby in a stroller all while asking people to borrow their phone because she locked her baby in the car.
Don’t worry. It happens to the best of us.
Haha! Don’t you wish we all could have a do-over button? At least you have a great story for Maddy later!
As I’m sure most everyone else has commented, this stuff happens. And while I’ve never locked my kids and keys in the car, I have had to call Poison Control. Twice. It’s all part of being a parent. But friend, I *totally* get that “holymotherfuckingshitballs” feeling!
Sounds like a typical day around here.
Good for you for staying calm. I probably wouldn’t have, but I’m a spaz.
Be sure and use plastic utensils tonight…no cutting, nothing overly hot either
Also..Been there done that. Worst feeling, isnt it. You so funny! I fell out of my parents car when I was 5, that was 30 years ago and no car seats. Imagine that.
Glad Miss Maddy was calm. Guess she just goes with the flow. Now is this happended on a tuesday.
Hope you have a better day than your morning
I laughed and teared up while reading this post. I’m a moody SOB when it comes to reading your stuff!
The child-proofing picture was hilarious.
Your holymutherfuckingshitballs comment was priceless.
Seeing Maddie’s beautiful face peeking back at you from the window was beautiful.
Great post. Keep ‘em coming.
Asalamu Alaykom
@Elizabeth in Texas: I was confused when you said you read about Matt in “an old people magazine.” I started to wonder if AARP had profiled him too!
Heya-Hiya, Mr. Matt! The word I’m thinking of is “discombobulated.” You were very discombobulated!
I get this way from time to time….ok, I’m not going to kid you! I get discombobulated EVERY SINGLE FREAKING TIME I LEAVE THE HOUSE. Sigh…it’s hard work to leave. That’s why I’d like to just become a hermit. But, on those days when I must face civilization, I act very consciously to get out with everything I need. Keys and cell in my travel bag (I’m not really a purse person).
I actually have to talk to myself and tell myself things like, “Oven is off. I’ve got the keys. Got the cell. Locking the door.”
Gosh! That sounds NUTS but it’s sometimes the only way I can keep track of all the stuff needed to leave. And I don’t have a membership to AAA. Alhumdulillah you did
One day you will look back on this incident and laugh. You might even laugh as hard as I did when I read the holymother part of this post
You handled that perfectly, Lets just say people like me are the reason they want to send the fire dept. and ask if you want to stay on the line with them.
You are doing a great job!
You are NOT a bad parent! So many people do this every day. Mistakes happen, so don’t be so hard on yourself. Maddy is such a trooper! Hooray for AAA!
LOL at the towel story and standing there dripping wet. Happens to me all the time. My kids use my towel when they get out of the shower and, sure enough, when I drip dry my way to get a new towel, I see theirs laying in a heap on their bedroom floor. *sigh* Pretty soon Maddy will know how to grab one for you. Then SHE will be the one teaching you a lesson about towels, taking her Mothers place. Somebody has to keep you in line!
Here’s hoping the rest of your day is uneventful!
Do you know how many times I’ve heard people doing that? It’s apparently a parenting rite of passage and you passed with flying colors!
you are not a bad parent! Accidents like that happen all the time! She’s fine and you’re fine! no worries!!!
Matt
You are not alone at all! You are definitely NOT a bad parent. I’ve done this, not once, but TWICE… The first time was on 9/11, 2002 – I was dropping my little one who was three off at preschool and had my 7 month old in the car too. I got out and locked the keys in the car. My daughter was too young to undo her own seatbelt. The school called the fire depart. On 9/11 a year later. Do you know how mortified I was? The second time my son was in the car on his own. He was about 14 months, around Maddie’s age and I had rented a car because mine was getting fixed. Again, the fire department came. They were SO NICE. But the neighbours were all wondering what was going on. Great parenting moment (twice!) Neither of my children let out a peep either time and the second time, my son thought it was very funny in his 14 month old way. These are all part of the journey. You are an incredibly awesome Dad. Don’t ever feel like you’re not. 
Keep doing the great job you’re doing raising that BEAUTIFUL little one!
Tricia
I locked all 3 kids in the house while I ran outside to direct someone to our front door.
Hey, even Jennifer Garner, a huge movie star, locked her keys in the car with her daughter inside. So you’re in a pretty high-profile club! :p
dude every parent I know has that story, i think it’s a rite of passage. My daughter, just about a month older than maddy actually clicked the lock and locked me out last week. fortunately my husband had not let and he had the extra key, I know have the child locks on.
Matt, have you seen Forgetting Sarah Marshall? When you described shaking yourself off, it reminded me of the beginning scene in the movie when he is walking around naked and shaking his goodies to try and entice his girlfriend.
Funny movie, I recommend you see it if you haven’t already.
Isn’t it great to know that you are in such good company…I have done it too! What is even better is that even when we screw up, our babies just smile…we can do no wrong in their eyes…I love that. (If I am being honest though, the teenage variety is not so quick to forgive…just a heads up!)
Oh Matt,
It’s all going to be fine – I have always said, start a therapy jar; for everything that you do to your child that could require therapy, put a quarter in the jar. For everything that you do as a parent that’s great, take a quarter out. In the end if the “jar” is smaller than an oil barrel when they grow up -they’ll be fine! Children are resilient and very forgiving when they know you love them. They are REALLY smart about those things!!
I have to admit that I thought it was pretty funny about the car although I’m sure at the time it wasn’t funny to you. You’re such an awesome story teller and usually find a way to add a little humor into everything! By the way… did you get a new ride? Doesn’t look like the old Honda from your wreck pictures! Um OK I offically sound like a STALKER… wtf?!
Sorry to laugh at your bad day. I once diapered the car keys with my son – yes, put the keys in the diaper and snapped it up. He didn’t seem to mind the extra load. After frantic HOURS looking for the keys I felt a lump in his ass and discovered the keys.
Sorry to hear about such a crappy start to your day.
Don’t worry – locking babies in cars happens alot and they’re always pretty ok after the experience.
I used to work at AAA and asking if the fire dept needed to be called was on the script.
)
Matt,
My dad did this too, when I was probably about the same age as Maddy (I am 27 now.) He still tells the story, and laughs, about locking me and the keys in the car, and about how he was trying SO HARD to convince me to “unlock the door for daddy.” I don’t know why he thought a little girl, just over the age of 1 could figure out how to pull up the lock, and let him in- but just like you he was panicking. I think he got me out the same way as you did Maddy, with a locksmith. Rest assured, without him telling the story over and over as I was growing up, I would have never know I had been locked in a car. You are a wonderful father, and someday you will probably look back and laugh at this day. I hope the rest of the day goes better for you!
Het het… I knew the second you locked your keys in the car you would have 2031 stories and comments on how people did just the same. I have never done that. But not a better parent does that make. But I’ll tell ya what DOES make you a good parent… you have INSTINCT. You just knew to keep an outward calm about ‘ya. No one told you that. You didn’t read a blog about what to do in this situation. You faced some (minor) drama, and you stayed calm for Mad’s sake.
That, dear Matty, makes you good.
Stand proud, mister. (in big announcer voice:) YOU are a great dad!
But make sure that towel is wrapped around tight, we don’t need to see your kibbles and bits in your moment of glory.
Matt – Did you get a new car?
Matt…I am sorry, I must admit I did get a little laugh at that one!! And Maddy’s little face in the window…wow…she’s an adorable child. But, once again, you always seem to be able to make the best out of any situation…that is pure awesome!
As far as the towel thing…I do the SAME thing to my husband. That is too funny. You damn men!!! LOL
I just love your blog!
ha! at first i thought…why doesn’t he try the door that he just shut after he put Maddy in the car? then i thought…duh, of course he did! this has happened to me more than i can even remember…once with the car running! that tends to happen sometimes here with the cold MN winters and having to start your car 15 minutes before you leave so you can warm it up! just be thankful you’re somewhere warm and it wasn’t like 200 degrees outside! my little guy just locked my husband out of the truck while he was still inside…luckily i got home shortly after and rescued him! great post!
You did fine! And the reality is that had she been upset or in real trouble, you would have broken the window furthest from her to get to her and calm her down.
No emergency here, just real life.
Now on your way home tonight, get extra copies of all must-have keys (at least four or five sets). Get those keyring tags you can write on (you can buy them right there at the hardware store) label them with your first name.. Give a set or two to one or two trusted neighbors or friends within hailing distance (my brother who lives two blocks away has a full set). Hide one set somewhere outside or bury it in a pot (in a ziploc bag).
And frankly, I also put a second set in my purse (maybe put one in your camera case). It helps when I drop my keys in a store somewhere — and once in the zoo bathroom, when I was handling 3 kids under 8 and trying to go myself as well as take care of them. I didn’t realize it until I got to the car so I had a set to get the kids home and then called the zoo to see whether the lost set was turned in. That leads to my last tip — it helps to have a keyring on your main set that’s unique and easy to describe over the phone. I have one that my niece and nephews gave me of beads that look like a tulip. I’ve found that set of keys more than once just by making a few calls.
I realize this may seem like overkill, but I am rather scatterbrained and since I’m single, I have no husband to call. So I’ve adapted.
“holymotherfuckingshitballs”……that is freaking hilarious! I am going to use that from now on. I am sorry your day started out so bad……the “big boy” car seat has jacked me all up. Since my one year old has been in his big boy car seat….I have lost the keys about 5 times. Luckily each time the doors are unlocked. I will get into the drivers seat…..go to start the car and realize I have no keys. Most of the time my baby has them….which I have no idea how that happens!! Hope your day is going better now!
don’t worry Matt, I have done it too!
I locked my keys in the car with BOTH of my kids inside… it was running…. and they were screaming. The fire department DID come, but they didn’t break my window.
You are not alone….
Well now that you have done that you can check that off your list of crap that happens to every parent………
Been there done that, I swear every parent at some point locks their child or in my case children in the car.
Sorry to inform you that you are not the first to lock child and keys inside the car. BEEN THERE – DONE THAT
oh Matt… isn’t this goddamnjourneywecallwidowhood a fuckedup mess? Hold tight- Its gonna hurt like hell… But in the end the hurt lessons, and I have a feeling Maddy will become a fabulous young women! I have this feeling…..
UGH! BIG hugs Matt! That is a horrible feeling! Been there. Done that.
Been there, done that. Don’t beat yourself up! I stood singing songs to my daughter at the top of my lungs until help arrived (in the form of spare keys, after using a passerby’s cellphone since I locked *that* in the car too).
If it makes you feel better my husband did the same thing when our son was 4 months
I’ve done that. All of that! I haven’t hurt a baby yet so I think you’re fine. I have learned that AAA puts you at the top of their list if you say you locked a baby in the car, although I wouldn’t try that unless you can actually produce a baby. 911 will come quickly, too, but they make you feel like an irresponsible parent so that’s not my first choice. You’re doing a great job! I applaud your parenting style!
We have aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall had these days, I guarantee you. There might just be more days like this, but we all know this feeling. The feeling like maybe getting out of bed that day was just not the best idea. lol But it will all end just fine. You did everything right, as you probably already know, and it will be a story you can tell to your friends who will have kids and think they had the worst day ever.
K8 from Northridge is probably right! HAHA
hugs from NJ,
Erica and Landon
Do you think Maddy locked you out to mess with you?….after all she remained pretty cool through the whole thing!
First the table then the car door…you could have a prankster on your hands!
Hope your day is looking up.
I was cracking up @ Elizabeth in Texas…old people magazine..took me a minute, I am slow I guess.
You had what I call a ‘being a plonker’ day.
All’s well, and all that…
Excuse me, is that a rat tail braid the AAA locksmith’s got going on?
Amazing.
It happens. I’ve done it… and I did it at the Airport in Providence RI. My spare keys – in Arizona where I was flying to! It took 45 minutes to get him out… thankfully he slept through most of it! Joys of parenthood!
these things happen, it’s how you deal with them when they inevitably arise that counts. you’re still dad of the year in my opinion
Oh My God I am laughing so hard. I think this is the funniest entry you have written. It seems like M is keeping you on your toes. Life is starting to move much faster, so you have to be super careful of where you place things. Surely one day she will by accident put your keys somewhere….just be prepared and thank god you had your phone so you didn’t have to get the neighbors involved and leave M unattended!
I did the EXACT same thing 3 months ago (right after my son turned 1) it was the only 80 degree day in February. I also had the same reaction, don’t panic or the baby will freak out. So I sang every nursery rhyme song I could think of while I waited. Not that he could hear me but I sang anyway.
My policy is keys go in the pants pocket because it’s a lot harder to lock the pants in the car. (And also a much more awkward conversation with AAA.)
LMAO
oh my goodness…you had me laughing. I have never locked one of my children in the car, but I know that even some good parents have.
DIvine Miss M is growing up and keeping you on your toes!
Welcome to the “stupid things parents do” club. We’ve all been there ….. since I have six children I’ve had plenty of opportunities to do stupid things. And I’m proud to say that I have risen to the occasion on many times.
You are not alone ….. and you are completely normal.
Thanks for sharing!
Janine
What a day!! I’m glad it turned out ok–and how lucky that you had just renewed your AAA membership!
oh gosh….the joys of parenting…I remember having a standard transmission car that for some reason I kept in neutral with my child in his car seat in the back seat. I got out ( what was I thinking ?) and the car proceeded to roll down the driveway and into the street. I thought…whoops and ran after it; I guess thinking that I could stop it with my super human powers…The guy across the street saw the whole thing and said…” just let it roll, it’s fine.”
My sweet little blond haired, blue eyed boy just sat in his car seat; ” mama please! I don’t want to drive by myself !”
Lesson learned; safety brake on ……
You tip the locksmith?
That is either a regional thing, or you are just one kind and generous person.
hi matt, i caught up on your story over 2 days and have to say you are doing a bang up job!!
my now 8 year old son locked ME out of the house TWICE before he was 2….. both times he was fine and i was freaked…. kids are more resilient than we give them credit for….. chin up…..
You’re not the only one. Read this story you won’t feel quite as bad.
http://girltalk.blogs.com/girltalk/2009/03/frida.html
First your daughter is so cute. And I think you are doing a great job raising her. I just found your blog but I have really enjoyed it. Funny how you stay calm for your kids sake when you are totally freaking out inside. Glad the rest of your day was without incident. Keep up the good work!
I did this twice IN ONE DAY last week.
The placement of keys is tricky.
We have onStar. I thought THEY would call Child Services on me that day.
hugs to sweet Maddy and you.
@K8 in the Northridge
re: the tipping thing…
liz is the one who told me to always tip the aaa guy, so of course i do it.
I locked my daughter in the car when she was about the same age and my keys were on the front seat too. We did not have AAA so I did the next best thing….I called 911. The police officer arrived VERY quickly when he got the car fo baby locked in car. I was paniced but my daughter was fine. Reading your story brought back 20 year old memories. Some day you will laugh at this story….I know I can now.
If I had a dime for every time something like that happened to me, I would be rich! (and I consider myself to be an awesome parent!) LOL! You’re in good company…no reason to beat yourself up about it, that’s for sure! She really is one tough cookie!
Sounds like it was quite a morning. A friend of mine did that with her 3 month old in the car along with her cell phone in the pouring rain. So see it could have been worse : ) It will go down as one of those funny stories you tell Maddy about when she is older.
Oh, the memories! My son was 18 mos and it was 90 degrees out. He loved “driving the car” so I set him behind the wheel while I went to put the groceries in the trunk. Must have set the keys in the seat when I put him in and he locked the car. It was so hot I could see him getting redder by the second. I was looking for a rock to break the window and getting ready to dial 911 if I couldn’t break it and was totally freaking out inside my head, but stayed calm on the outside. I kept talking to him and somehow got the kid to push the unlock button, snatched open the door and burst into tears. He never knew what happened, but I aged a few years that day, really raises your confidence in your parenting skills, doesn’t it?
I am SO paranoid of locking my 20 month old Maddie in the car. Before I close the door, I always touch my pockets for the keys…
But, I think my Maddie would freak because I wouldn’t be able to keep my cool like you…
You rock as a Dad!
Matt –
These things happen from time to time. It doesn’t make you a bad dad. Just makes you a normal, in a hurry dad. We’ve all had these days, and now most of the time, we can all look back and laugh about them.
Ohhh… what a shitty start to your day! Hopefully after picking up Maddy from daycare you can go home, have a beer and enjoy your night together. I have to laugh though as it is such “life”!!!!!! It may be your first time at locking your keys in the car with your daughter in it and hopefully it will be your last but I doubt it!! Actually I would be willing to bet $ you will find yourself locked out of the car with Madeline in it from Madeline herself. Just wait till that fear of panic hits your stomach – she’ll be walking around the car, getting into everything insight all while looking at you laughing- laughing a different laugh than she gave you today, you’ll be trying to coax her into unlocking the door but their tiny fingers can not manipulate the lock, at first you will be all nice and calm and then your voice will become alittle more frantic and frustrated while your head is creating all the worst case scenerios!! -hopefully you don’t have a stick to get knocked out of gear!!!
it happens. i did the same thing with my first baby! she was barely a couple weeks old. i took her to my mother’s work to show her off. it was kinda hot so i freaked out, i was sobbing (so was baby) and yelling for someone to call the cops for me. they showed up within minutes and popped the lock (and thankfully didn’t call cps). the cop just kinda gave me this look of sympathy/pity. i felt so awful that i never told her father about it.
gees…one of those days. you need a beer after that one! good you stayed calmed! glad everyone is well. that would be my husband with the towel thing, also. sorry she wasn’t there to bring you your towel, but maddie might be up for the challenge in a year or two. hope your day gets better!
OMG, I can only imagine how panicked you were! She is a tough little cookie and you are a hell of a great dad! I love your blog!
You’re supposed to tip the locksmith?!
Love the post, I have read it about 4 times! Don’t you just love being a parent!
My husand does the same thing with the towel. I am sure Maddy had a great time staring at you through the window. Gotta love AAA. I would have tipped him too for freeing my kid.
I absolutley love the swear words in this one; pretty hard to beat “holymotherfuckingshitballs”
Just waiting for the same thing to happen to me! I’m such a space cadet I’m surprised it hasn’t already
Way to stay calm!
You have a happy girl to have not cried once. What a sweetie pie. Hope there are no more holymotherfuckingshitballs moments today.
I hate days like that! It seems like when one thing goes wrong, it starts the ball rolling. Hope the rest of your day is uneventful.
Aww – she’s such a trooper. Love it.
In highschool (and college) my Mom had 3 spare keys made for my car…she had her reasons. They’ve been left in the ignition (car locked) more times than I care to admit.
Shit happens.
Wow! What a day!! Way to go on keeping your cool! On another note…great choice on Maddy’s new big girl carseat. Both my kids have Britax, and they love their seats. My friend’s baby has the exact same seat as Maddy. I know, I’m rambling. Glad everything turned out ok. ; )
I locked my 8 month old son in the car with the car on but no air conditioning on a hot July day in Chicago 14 years ago. I got him in his car seat and threw my purse in the car as I prepared to walk around and get in. It landed on the console in the middle–where the lock just happened to be. I heard all the locks lock as I slammed the door shut. The fire department and the paramedics DID come–and the fireman DID break my rear window to free my son–who was also as calm as could be. My mom, who I had also called to bring me my extra car key, was not so calm when she arrived and saw a fire truck and ambulance, and neither me nor my son, because we were in the ambulance so he could be checked out. I never close all the car doors now without making sure the driver’s side window is down. You will relive this terrifying incident many times but Maddy has already forgotten it!
I’m a faithful reader and first-time poster. Moved to L.A. 3 years ago from Chicago–one of these days we’ll run into each other. Keep up the great work daddying and writing!
After my father died, we moved my mother to a retirement apartment. We emptied a home with 40 years of living to a one bedroom apartment. It was overwhelming. This is when I locked my 4 yr old in my car in the parking lot of said apartment. What a way to welcome my mother to the community. All the yenta’s watched as I waited for AAA. In 19 degree weather. And my daughter was balling. She had a man-phobia and kept yelling through the window – “will a man or a woman come to help us someday”….Yes, it was quite the scene
You learn everyday something new about raising a baby. Then, when you finally get it, they are grown and out the door. But, I have decided that is why as a grandparent, I’m pretty darn smart…..you are a great dad….
I had to laugh because 2 days ago, my 3 year old and my 7 year old locked me out of the house. I had to go to the neighbors to call my mom so she could leave work and open the door. The boys laughed their little butts off at me through the windows that they also shut.
I enjoy reading your blog and listening to your trials and tribulations of being a single dad. Two things come through in your writings and that being how much you love Maddie and how much you miss Liz. I suspect they go hand in hand….
Keep trucking (oops.. that dates me doesn’t it?) the days and nights might not ever be easy, but they willl get easier.
I think I knew all along where your story was heading…I did the same crazy thing 25 1/2 years ago. She was/is fine too.
Aww everybody has days like that, everybody. Tomorrow will be a better day for sure
I think you are a great Dad.
Hi Matt!
A friend introduced me to your blog and I am completely enamored. It’s refreshing to hear a man talk about the day to day triumphs and struggles of being a single parent. It looks like you’re doing an amazing job. Maddy looks healthy and happy. She resembles her mom so much. What a beauty!
hahhaha is it bad that my first thought was “and where is your towel now?!” Oh man, I’m a woman after Liz’s heart!
Those are the kind of mornings you want to go to bed and try again. You did awesome. You have to laugh at your fuck ups and roll with it. She’s fine and so are you. You will both look back and laugh, promise.
been there done that…hot day…7 month in the car at a gas station. AAA comes fast when a baby is in the car.
Couldnt help but laugh. I once locked my newborn baby in the house. I ran down to pay a windshield repair guy and being the good Mom, locked the door of the house behind me while she napped. Well, I didnt have the key with me and the repair guy ONLY had my car key.
Lesson learned
It took almost 30min for someone to arrive. I flipped outside on the front porch the entire time. My newborn on ther other hand was still sawing logs when I got in to check on her 
this’ll be the story to tell maddy when’s she older, “remember when you were one and daddy freaked out..and the AAA people were being stupid?” it’s one of those stories that it’ll never get old
Seriously … I locked my son in the truck, not once, but twice when he was a baby (once at 5 months and another at 1 year) … and one of those times was in downtown Toronto. I inwardly panicked but he was fine. Both times, it was because I had an armful of things plus a baby. My mum gave me one of those stupid stretchy keyholder things to wear as a bracelet so I wouldn’t do it again.
As a side note, my son will be 16 this year!
Ha- Here is what I found out when this happens in Minnesota: Police won’t help unless there is a child locked in the car, so AAA is a good thing to have.
You staying away from sharp objects sounds like a good idea. I’m glad Maddy was ok and was entertained by your antics. Hopefully she’ll have your sense of humor as well as your ability to fake calmness.
One of those days! They don’t stop happening when you have kids! I hope it ended better.
yup, been there with the kiddo locked in too. Thankfully, it didn’t take long! No tears is REALLy good. Way to put on a calm front. No doubt this will be the last time that happens. Then you’ll have to hide keys, so car doesn’t “accidentally” get started…but you have a couple years. No worries.
She looks adorable trapped in her brand new car seat
I’m glad this wasn’t stressing experience for Maddy, she really rocks!!! We should look for statistics…I hear this story quiet often, not to mention the ones that got out of the car and forgot to take the baby in the back seat, or my friend that was shopping, her baby was so good that she moved on to the next store and forgot her baby in the previous one LOL. She was like I’m missing something but I have all my shopping bags with me SHE IS HILARIOUS (also a twin, just in case 1 is not enough) You can only imagine, she got the dirties look from people once she went back to claim her child ha ha.
Memories of a time when I was a young mom came flooding back as I read your blog. I am not 54 and have 6 grandkids. When my youngest was about 9 or 10 months old my 4 year old fell while playing at McDonalds. I grabbed her up (her mouth was bleeding) screamed, freaked out, threw her into the car, raced to the ER, got inside, THEN remembered that the baby was still at McDonalds! I left the 3 year old with the nurses, raced back, and sure enough, the baby was being taken care of by some moms who had seen the entire episode. I expected the authorities at my door after that, but nothing happened. It was not a good day…
Don’t feel too bad… you are a great dad! My 3 yr. old son actually stabbed himself in the eyeball with a butterknife two weeks ago. He was trying to cut his own apple after I told him not to. I too was super-freaking out on the inside but remained calm for my son. The E.R. nurses and doctors didn’t even act surprised when I told them what happened. I was actually afraid to admit the cause of his BLEEDING EYEBALL (!) in case they deemed be a horrible mom. Here, I had thought that the sharp knives were the only dangerous cutlery in the kitchen… I guess we have to chalk up these crazy situations as part of being a real parent. : ) Oh, and his eye healed up just fine. Thank god.
I just re-read my comment. I AM 54 now. I also forgot to mention that things turned out ok all in all. The baby was fine. I do think some of the other mommies wondered about me after that. My 3 year old did knock out a tooth and shattered her gum and bone underneath. She still has nerve damage even now. But thankfully, we never had to worry about her falling at McDonalds again. I never went back.
I think I have done that before.
Just remember, she won’t remember this.( only when you ell her.)
I did the same thing except my son who was 12 months at the time was screaming his head off, and the car was on at the time so I was paranoid he was going to get asfixiated. He didnt and the police came to open the door so everything was fine, I’m just glad to know Im not the only one.
I did that once, except for there was no baby in the car, I was on the highway, with a flat tire, the car was running and I locked my keys inside. I have occasionally forgotten to buckle my kids into their seats though, and my year old at least tells me now if I forget lol. Happens to us all at some point!
I hope this doesn’t sound annoying, but I just wanted to mention to you that the American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending that children remain rear-facing in their car seat as long as possible. It looks like you have a Britax, and their convertible seats have high limits for weight and height rear-facing. I know it is commonplace for parents to turn their kids around at 20 lbs./one year old, but their little bodies can really suffer severe damage if forward-facing in a frontal crash. Of course, they can get hurt in any position, but rear-facing is soooo much safer! Just google it and see how many things pop up. There are some great videos, too, that show the benefits of facing backwards. Just wanted to share!! Keep up the good work with your sweet girl!
It’s always good to do a few things that she’ll be able to hold over your head in the future!
It teaches her how to have your great sense of humor & awesome problem solving skills–along with a few extra fond memories to lord over you when she wants to mess with your mind. Haha! ~~Jamie
It happens, once I accidentally locked myself outside of the house with the kids I was babysitting inside =/
Go for you to stay calm and entertain Maddy by making faces I would have been running around screaming lol
just wait til the day you drive her to daycare and realize that you’ve forgotten to buckle her car seat straps.
What a trooper she is!
Chill Matt! Shit happens! Since Maddy was not at all hurt I am sure Liz would have laughed it off too!
About the towels…. What is it with men?! Dirty clothes, used towels all over the house? While we women hate it and refuse to bring new towels to you men, we still do. I guess we just love our men too much.
At the risk of showing my age, my mother did it to me before power locks. I don’t remember the first incident, but I do remember how much fun it became to lock all the doors before she could get to the driver’s seat!
The minute I could reach them I was locking them.
I turned out just fine… for the most part.
Oh honey, this is just the start of it. Wait till they are say?? Two and lock your ass out. You NEED to convince their little minds to open the door for daddy, please open the door for daddy. They will know your pain. they will . It is a toying with you thing. really. It is.
I did the same thing in the middle of winter in a parking lot-my baby was holding the keys then dropped them. Luckily a dealer was nearby and sent someone over. It was still about 45 minutes.
I have always been terrified this would one day happen to me, now if it ever does I’ll remember your story and how you are STILL the most awesome Dad, with a great sense of humour and a big heart, and I will keep a cool head.
*Side Note – Just finished reading The Road and what a read it was
too funny – this gets better and better everyday
worse things can happen
Phew for a minute there I thought one of your readers said they locked their son in the TRUNK. I was so relieved when I stopped long enough to read it a second time.
I think every parent has a fail story like that (or two or three or four…) – sounds like you handled it beautifully! Good for you for staying so calm!
Glad to hear you both stayed calm:) I’ve been there before too. I once accidentally locked my oldest daughter when she was 2 in a rental car. It was summer, she was asleep, but thank goodness I had the car running with the air on. You are still a wonderful father. Take Care….
Don’t be too hard on yourself for the key incident. I did it 3 times with my oldest child, once when he was 4 months old and the car was parked in the garage. Oh, and I had to call the pediatrician’s office and tell them what I’d done since he was scheduled for his 4-month appointment 10 minutes after I locked him in the car. Thankfully, my husband’s shop is 2 miles from our house and he came to my rescue.
The other 2 times were in public, unfortunately. Once at the grocery store where I had to walk in and tell them what I’d done so they could call the fire department to get Wyatt out of the car. Then, after I’d done my shopping, the little old lady who helped with my groceries told me about some mom who had locked her kid in the car just a little while before. I told her it was me as I got into the car to drive away.
Oh, and I live in Dallas. Where it gets very hot in a car very quickly. But somehow Wyatt has made it to 9 years old. And Maddie will laugh at your story when she gets older. Wyatt laughs at me.
Glad to hear that she handled it so well! lol I’m sure she just thought it was a game or something! Reminds me of my experience w/ my child…ok, my dog..only ‘child’ I have right now lol he apparently stepped on the clicker when I put him in the car to go to doggie daycare one day and effectively locked himself in the car…he did not take it as well as little Miss Maddy and barked furiously when the cop showed up to help me…the only way the cop was able to get the car unlocked was to click the clicker that was on the car seat w/ the stick thing b/c it wouldn’t reach my button on the side of the door.
I’m glad you survived the rest of your day and hopefully won’t have to play that game w/ Maddy again anytime soon!
Warning (from experience)…no matter how much she likes your key fob, don’t let her hold on to it as you get out of the car and walk around to get her out…kids like the reactive sound of locking the doors, rarely will the unlock button be pressed more than once so that the passenger doors open
. Nice story Matt…shit happens and you handled it with total grace!
this was something I was always scared of doing, the
“lock the kid in the car” thing. But still, as great as that fear was (they are old enough now to get out), I’m chuckling at your story.
When my middle kid was about 18 months old, he was asleep on the couch. I went outside to take the trash out only to come back and find out that he wasn’t asleep anymore. He got up and locked the deadbolt on the door just enough to where it locked me out. I tried to get him to listen and to go and open it. He decided it was better to stand in the window screaming for me to come back in. I even tried banging on the window for my oldest to wake up and open the door. He was out. I ended up going to the neighbors to call my grandparents who had a extra key to my house. I felt like an idiot. We all made it though it and needless to say, it never happened again. lol
Again the internet is a wonderful place. We all take comfort in how normal we all are. I too have had your same experience and had a shittastic day yesterday. I had to break my car window! You are a great day. If you didn’t have days like that, I would worry. You are soooo normal and still a great dad. Hope today was better for you.
Again the internet is a wonderful place. We all take comfort in how normal we all are. I too have had your same experience and had a shittastic day yesterday. I had to break my car window! You are a great dad. If you didn’t have days like that, I would worry. You are soooo normal and still a great dad. Hope today was better for you.
Been there! Only I was in the parking lot of a McDonalds…in the rain…with two movies from the Redbox in my hands and a lot of people staring at me and asking me super intelligent questions such as: Did you lock your keys in your car? And I was there another time. At the mall. I called pop a lock. They sent three firetrucks. Yes…three. There were no less than eight firemen trying to get my stubborn minivan to allow them entrance. I certainly hope nobody in the city of Houston had a more important fire type emergency that morning.
No worries! We’ve all been there.
OK, I’ve totally done that too! Luckily I could run in the house and call my husband at work to come unlock the door. He was in a meeting, and he was totally embarrassed to tell everyone why he had to leave. I’m sure they all had a good laugh at my expense that day! We all have those parenting moments and they become funnier as time passes, I promise!
Love days like that…at least things tend to get better from there…
You are NOT an awful parent.
Repeat similar adventure for the hubby and I. Except make it the TRIP HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL for baby. I was FRANTIC and got hubby to break the window immediately!
AND I have been locked out of the house by the kids who were too young to know how to unlock the door. I have broken in to our very top window with the neighbors ladder too many times to count.
It just comes with the territory! Keep on doing your best and you will continue to be a great Dad. Shit happens!
Been there done that. My James was not calm about it he cried his little eyeballs out and by the time the fire dept got there he was beet red and had snot pooling in his lap. I called 911 and they sent out the fire dept to pop the lock. I am glad Maddy was a lot cooler about it. And just remind yourself the worst parent in the world wouldn’t have gotten it taken care of in a timely manor. Sometimes it’s not what you’ve done but how you handle it that make you a good parent.
Couldn’t help but think that this was payback for all the times you’ve left Maddy in strange places all by herself for a photo op.
I did this once… While parked in the car dealership parking lot. Pretty good place to do it, actually! Kid never had time to freak out.
I did this, in the MN, in the middle of winter, with the car running when my kids were 3 & 0.75. And the kiddos also stayed perfectly calm while I freaked out in my head for 15 minutes.
I will have to admit that I locked my son in the car too. I think it is something every parent has to experience just once.
I can only tell you that I have done this once to my daughter and it sucks. The first time to my three year old who laughed and snacked on the goldfish crackers that she had. I was sure she was going to as a fluke choke on those damn crackers. I called my insurance guy because I have towing and lock out service and he transfered me to a lock smith that didnt want to be liable for my daughter being in the car to long so they xfrd me to the police who sent out the fire truck. They broke into my car(No broken windows) while the whole entire neighborhood got to see just how much a deserved the mom of the year award!! Needless to say my daughter LOVED the big red fire truck and to her delight not mine, turned on the sirens to make sure that everyone knew what was going on.
There is no need to call child protective services, she is fine and will one day read this and laugh out loud at you. You really are an amazing father, and I’m sure Liz was laughing at you when you didn’t have a towel to dry off with.
I about died laughing over your conversation with the AAA lady… sorry it was at your expense!
Great post!
Paris
You guys make me laugh! When I did it to my own kids, I didn’t see the humor in it as much. Especially when I called AAA to ask them to come out, but they said that they can’t come help me because I was not on the account. What the hell? We have been married for almost a decade and had AAA that whole time and I am not on the account? Needless to say, they didn’t come to rescue me. And my husband has learned to not leave me with my own devices, a screwdriver and a locked car.
Your kid is BEYOND AWESOME
Okay…
Here’s a story that’s funny now, but wasn’t then. My friend Sue and I were talking in the school parking lot. We had just dropped our kids off for the day. She then put her youngest daughter into her car seat. Her daughter was a little fussy, so she handed her her keys to play with while we were chatting. She closed the car door, and literally 1 second later we heard, “Beep”. Her daughter (8 months old) managed to lock the car doors with the remote we forgot she had. Oops! We called the fire department, they weren’t amused. They broke the window because it was a hot day and didn’t want to wait for AAA. Only then did we realize that her car had On Star! That was our 2nd Oops! One phone call and they could have unlocked the doors for us and saved the broken window.
Matt, we all have days like that. She’s fine. You’re fine. Everything’s okay. Don’t sweat it.
I locked my little girl in the car when she was about 10 months old. She doesn’t remember it, no permanent damage….to her!
.
Ahhh, the joys of being a parent. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first or fifth, these things happen. It’s amazing just how many mistakes we can make and not screw our kids up. She is a tough kid and there is no mistaking how much she’s loved.
Oh, you did well, she didn’t even cry! A good friend of mine did the same thing with her daughter a couple of years ago, she has kicking herself after the fact too, but she is a good mother, just like you’re a good dad. This is pretty common, if someone called social services over that they would have a good laugh!
Oops. I mean “she was kicking herself”.
I once locked my keys in the car with an infant that I was babysitting also inside. Instant PANIC! The fire department did come but I was already in panic mode I had broken the window (it was a bit hot and it was an infant). It taught me two things, first, I have learned to keep my panic internal and calm myself down and second, I ALWAYS, ALWAYS hit the unlock button again before closing the door whether I have my own child in the car or not. ALWAYS and I am aware that I do it too and I always bring back that memory each time too. Glad you already have the internal and not external panic going on…it’s going to come in handy the first time you are in a store and she decides to play peek a boo by hiding in the clothes rack while you aren’t looking…ah kids are great aren’t they…
It does feel shitty, I totally agree. My son was asleep when I accidentally locked him in the car. And my mom actually protested when I asked her to bring her key to me. What?
Funny, one of my Sheryl Crow CDs still has teeth marks on the top of it, too. Guess it’s their way of communicating music preference.
Holy COW, its SO not funny but it is FUNNY. LOL! Matt!!! Its probably not the last time that ever happens. Hang in there.
ROFL! I needed a good laugh. I am SOOO glad all is ok though. Thank GOD AAA works FAST!
At least you never left her in her car seat on top of the car and forgot to actually put her in the car! LOL
Or lost her in the grocery store because she runs faster than you.
You haven’t forgotten to feed her or change a diaper.
I think you’re doing a great job!! Like everyone said on this blog … it happens to everyone! I’m sure that doesn’t make you feel better, but in time you’ll laugh about it. We all do!
Just a hint: I always hold my toddler and unlock my car (with the remote) and open whichever door is near me. I leave it open until she is buckled in and completely safe. Once her door is closed and the DVD player is on, I make sure I have my keys then I close the other door (which is usually the passenger front). I have a bad habit of dropping keys, leaving them in the car seat while I put her in … so this is my “safety” net.
That’s my worst fear! I’m so glad they got her out quickly!
You’re the BEST dad, not the opposite.
Amazing you kept your cool, I would have flipped the f*ck out!
Yep. Maddy knows how to lock the car doors. Aren’t they cute? That picture of the stuff on the floor made me laugh right out loud. They’re quick, too.
I also locked my keys in the car. Actually, my dog, Sophie, locked the keys and herself in the car, in the middle of summer in the central valley of California. Temperature about 437 degrees.
I did the same thing you did. Put the dog in the car, tossed the keys in the front seat, went around to put something else in the back of the car, and that was all she wrote. Doors were locked, windows up, and a very hot and panting dog looking at me like ‘Hello? A little air here?’. All she had to do to lock the car was stand up on the armrest.
I, too, called AAA and they came and rescued Sophie, though I don’t think they were quite as concerned when they found out Sophie was a dog, and not a child. That was a little annoying, but alls well that ends well. I guess.
After reading this, I decided I better renew my AAA membership as well because I have the potential to lock twin 11 month-olds in my car. Considering I live in Phoenix where it’s hot as hell, that would make for a double “holymotherfuckingshitballs” day. I have the same Britax car seat for the twins that Maddy has. By the way, it looked like she was sitting forward facing in her new car seat. If so, you may want to have her sit rear facing still because it’s much safer for her if you were to get into an accident. You can, since this seat is good for rear facing to 35 pounds. This was explained to me by the car seat tech when I had my seats checked to make sure I had them installed correctly. Just thought I’d let you know.
Haha, that made my day look good!
I’ve been stalking your blog for a while, but haven’t ever commented. Just wanted to say that your daughter is really, really lucky to have such an awesome dad.
LOL sorry man. I laugh b/c that has happened to me more than once. Now out of force of habit when I unlock my car to put the kids in I throw the keys on the roof of my car, that way I don’t have to even second guess it. You did great though!
Unfortunately I’ve locked the keys in my car too many times to count, and at least 4 times with a child inside. An additional 2 times that I don’t include in the 4 above, are when one of our kids locked the door after I opened the door to put bags in, and they jumped in and locked/shut the door. Fortunately it’s always been on a cool/cold day, and the lock service guys have always been quick to respond. I have many other epic fails that happen almost constanlty, which is why I started a blog. To keep an account of my failures for my reading enjoyment later. I don’t think you’re a bad parent…but you might think I am now, lol. Hope things go better in that department for you. Not that I don’t hope they go well in other departments….blah, nevermind…I think you get my drift. It’s late and I can’t think straight.
This happened to me when my daughter was about the same age…except she was playing with my keys and instead of grabbing them from her I closed the car door and then SHE pressed the button and locked it! I freaked out, she was fine. I called the police department to come (after I had to borrow someone’s cell phone, because of course I threw my purse on the front seat before I put her in the car seat…ugh). The cop was there in less than five minutes, trying to hide a smile…I’m guessing it wasn’t the first time and won’t be the last time they’ve seen something like that!
You handled it well, keeping calm was the right thing to do. You’re an awesome dad
Hi Matt,
I locked my keys in the door with 3 children all under the age of 4. In 1 of the warmest days in Mn. I had to call the police to come and get them out. That was back in the good old days when they came out to do this service.
The children made it though it ok. After that I always had a metal key box attached to the inside of my car. See it can and does happen to the best of US. Just step back and BREATH… Ty for your BEAUITFUL blog. Liz is very blessed to have had you and you for her. She is shinning down on you both. Many blessing to you guys
OMG that happened to me when my son was 6 mos and I had my dog in the car tooYEA! he was asleep and slept through while i waited for the door to get unlocked. It’s ok now! you survived that
Thank goodness Maddy is a tough kid 
Great Post!
I am so paranoid about locking my keys and kids in the car that I roll a window down before I get out. My two and a half year old must think I am nuts. But I can’t stand the thought of them stuck for even ten minutes in the hot desert sun in Las Vegas. Thank goodness for AAA and OnStar.
hi matt. i’ve done this before to my non kid. and another time i didn’t buckle a baby in her car seat.
i think it’s an official right of passage into parenting.
sorry about the towel part. the dreams still rob me.
we will overcome.
oh and something about sometimes i eat my own scabs and smell your shoes when you’re sleeping.
lmao! one of those wonderful parenting moments… i love that you have pictures- this lil girl will have one h*ll of a scrapbook when she’s older! glad to know she’s doing fine. Great job dad!!!
just wait until she falls flat on her back onto the linoleum out of her highchair.
oh, wait, no. i’m the asshole who let that happen because i didn’t fasten the strap when my baby was about ten months old. she had never tried to stand up in the highchair before.
she’s strapped into ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING now.
oh, how i hate the fail days.
Hey Matt!
I’ve followed your blogg for a while, your doing great! I’ve never commented before, but when I read what happened to you this morning, I just had to tell you.. My aunt managed to lock me in the car once too. The difference between our stories is that my aunt left me in the car at a really hot summers day just after she had bought me a hugh Ice-cream!! When my parents finally came to us with the spare key, the backset was completely covered with melted ice, and I wasn’t that clean either:P
For your comfort, Maddie will be laughing her head of every time anyone brings up this story in the future.. I know I have;)
Ice cream hugs from Norway
Oh, crappy morning for you. My friend locked his daughter in the car while still at the daycare center. Terrible situation made worse by it being in the dead of winter in Minnesota. The police had to come right away and cause all sorts of chaos outside the center. He tried to hide it from his wife by “forgetting” to mention it. Sounds like you handled your situation well. Man, Maddy can handle any situation, can’t she?
Voice of experience:
The keys ALWAYS go on the roof of the car. Pain in the ass, but the best habit. I live in Texas – locked the baby in several times – it’s called “parent brain.”
I’ve been following you for about 6 months now and I think you’re a terrific dad and a person with a wonderful soul…I haven’t made any comments yet, but decided to do so today. Just let me know calm your mind – you are not the FIRST person to lock your child in the car…and you’re certainly not the LAST!
I hope you’re having a better day. Take care!
Yup, did it too. At the gas station, cell phone was locked in there too. My baby was making faces at me in her car seat. Begged an employee at Hess to let me borrow her phone, called my mom to stop by the house, grab the spare set and head down to the gas station. Months later my child got me back by locking the door when I went to the garage to toss some dirty clothes after a shower, I was naked….nuf said!
Note to my 8 month pregnant self….get lock box
Many moons ago, on a family vacation, my little sister (Sarah) was asleep in her car seat. We stepped out of the car to stretch and left her inside with the a.c. running. Of course the doors locked somehow. Luckily Sarah had just learned how to wriggle out of her car seat all by herself (a trick unappreciated until this moment). My dad shook the car until she woke up & we spent the next 10 minutes trying to make a game of Sarah touching things we pointed to in the car until she touched the unlock button (rock to window being plan b). Like Maddy, she just laughed. We started calling Sarah a hero and she soon took to telling everyone “I’m a he-wo”. The locking the kid in the car story is probably all too familiar to many parents – sounds like you handled it perfectly.
laughing because my mother did that to me when I was 2 weeks old. except she went BACK IN THE STORE to get a bag she left at the register!! Plus this was in 1982, pre-cell phone, etc, so she freaked out. I slept the whole time apparently, and harbor no ill will towards my mother, lol, so I’m sure your key fail will just turn into one of those funny stories you tell Madeline one day
Been there, Done that! Nice job remaining calm – never let them see you sweat!
My husband and I were laughing our ass off reading this post! We have done all of these before. Thank goodness my inlaws have a spare key to our house and we have a spare key to our vehicle in the house! Did I mention they live 30 minutes away?!!! Anyways…we love your posts and really enjoy reading them! I think my Husband is hooked, he often asks, ‘has matt posted’! Thanks for sharing!
Ok, here goes. When my liffle girl was about Maddie’s age, I took her to the doctor. Well, we were getting out and I was in the backseat with her and unbuckled her straps. My work cell rings in the front seat so I jump out of the back and close the door. Locked. She was not walking yet so I was freaked at the fact that she could jump out of her seat and fall on her face. I went into the dr’s office to ask for help and the lady at the desk looked at me as if I was the dumbest person alive. I was crying so bad that another parent had to talk to the locksmith. Soooo. You did much better than me.
Man, what a morning you had. Glad everything is now ok.
I have had more than one near miss with the car and the kids getting accidentally locked inside.
Loved the pic of Madeline and the giant mess she created. When we reached that stage, we stopped leaving books on any flat surface and also ended up clearing out all the decorative stuff (that also ended up on the floor, multiple times each day). I think my favorite memory is of my Madelyn at about the same age as your Madeline. She got hold a giant box of goldfish crackers, dumped them on my white living room rug (note to self…white rugs and kids DO NOT MIX!) and then danced in them, pulverizing them into itty bitty microscopic pieces/dust. I was picking up goldfish fragments for months after that little episode.
Oh Matt, You are going to have lots of mornings similar to this one, but you’ll learn to just laugh them off. I remember putting my daughter through a window to unlock the house at 3 years old that was interesting, no way I could of fit through though. Good job on remaining calm, you’re doing a GR8 job.
Barbi
Oh my goodness! I was laughing the whole time I read this!
Ahhh man… I have two kids, one on the way and I can’t tell you how much this sounds like something I would do. Admittedly, I am insanely forgetful and pregnancy doesn’t make that any better :\
You did a great job
I’d have been a frantic mess. I’m quite sure of it. Thanks for sharing your morning with us 
You’re not a good parent unless you lock the kid in the car at least once!
I did the same thing to my son when he was little. Luckily, he was an escape artist and he climbed out of the car seat and opened the door. He was 2 1/2 when I did this. I felt so stupid but hey these things happen. She is so gorgeous!
Mama said there’d be days like this…
THE ROAD!!! One of my favoritest books of all time. Everyone should read it in my opinion.
lol to the max! A friend of mine locked her truck doors with the truck running and the baby inside, asleep! Kid woke up to a sea of firefighters in their yellow gear and weird hats – and loved it! This is what makes life and good stories to tell M’s future dates!! Loved the coffee table mess photo, too! You really are doing awesome. Just keep breathing, and laughing! And sharing. Thanks.
Been there . . . done that! Luckily my husband was nearby to go home and fetch the spare care key. Also took only about 15 minutes but I was definitely more traumatised then my son.
…adding that the other Marissa who posted car seat advice that you never asked for was NOT ME! hahahaha
i offer no unsolicited advice on parenting. for real, don’t listen to me… i fuck up all the time. dont we all?!
well….who hasn’t done this. I have done it twice! i’m apparently not the worlds best parent.
I must admit I was laughing the whole time I was reading this. Not because I was laughing at you, but because I have SO been there SO many times.
I locked my 1 1/2 year old in our car a couple months ago. Except we weren’t at home and I also locked my cell phone in the car. It was in the middle of the busy gym parking lot and I was scared to get too far from the car in case someone tried to steal my son. I had to flag down strangers to ask to borrow their phones. The only phone numbers I knew off the top of my head were my parents, who never answer the phone and live 1000 miles away, my grandparent’s old phone number, and my husband who wasn’t answering because I had just told him we were over on our cell minutes. It was 30 degrees outside and I was dressed for working out, not hanging around. 20 minutes later my husband finally answered the phone and “rescued” us at which time I finally allowed myself to cry. My son thought it was a very fun game but I was really freaked out.
CRAP!!! I can totally imagine myself doing the same thing!
I have to say I laughed out loud at the picture of her staring at you through the window like “daddy, what are you doing?” So funny! Guarantee, it will happen again, so this was a good “trial run” for you and Maddy! Thanks for sharing this REAL parent moment with the world. We all do these crazy things….only a REAL man can admit to it AND take pictures! Good stuff.
I loved that last line!! Everyone has those day where they just want to get back into bed and start over. I myself have locked myself out of my car many times, happens to everyone. I dont keep my cool like you do though, a trait I have to learn
I am calling triple A today. It’s really only a matter of time before this happens to me.
: )
I have SO DONE THIS in the Minnesota winter! Try 10 degree’s above zero, me 9 months pregnant, oldest- 15 months old and I do the same thing. Put Haylee in the car, through the key’s on the seat and shut the door- My big belly hit the lock button I think and she was locked in! We called 911, I had no clue what to do!!
Way to stay calm
All you can say is SHIT!
I would call CPS for making her listen to The Hold Steady (89.3’s band of the week last week), but not for this! ; )
(Thanks for turning me on to Kings of Leon–I’m loving that CD!)
Welcome to the “I locked my kid in the car club”. You will be a member of the “My kid locked me out of the house club” in no time.
My babysitter locked our then-2-yr-old in the car just outside our older son’s school. The 2-year old could have unlocked the car, but refused. So she had to have the fire department come. They didn’t break a window, they just used a slim jim. But if you want to do these things, better to do it in the comfort of your own home, because you sure got a lot of attention from all the kids and parents and teachers at the elementary school if you do it there.
By the way, if you’re assessing options, it’s better to break a window on the house to get the spare key from inside than to break the car window. Cheaper fix. Not that I’d know. You still are a fantastic job. We all fail, most of us more times than we’d like to admit
Mr. AAA says, “baby! are you ok?”
How sweet is that.
These sorts of things happen all the time. I don’t think they’re FAILS, so much as OOPS. Either way, I hope your day got better from there on out!
Oh I loved this story. My kids are big enough now that they actually try to lock me out of the car…
Good job on remaining calm (at least on the outside) to keep Maddy calm too.
I also loved your comment about the fire department and the supply of perfectly good window-breaking rocks.
I have locked my child in the car too! It was at night but I still totally freaked.
I did that once when my son was about 18 months old. Except it was 90+ degrees out and I was a the grocery store. I had just got a new vehicle and it was a 4 door (before I had a 2 door) and I let my son play with my keys while I was getting him buckled in. He decided to throw the keys in the front seat. I didn’t think too much about it until I shut his door and tried to open the driver side door and it was locked. I freaked out big time. I ran into the store and called the dealership that I’d just bought the car from and they cut me a new key. I played peek-a-boo and ran around the car to keep Jacob occupied. He eventually looked at me and said “Mommy its hot in here.” I felt terrible. But it all turned out just fine. Just a little stressful on us parents! Anyway, you are not a bad parent. Things like this happen to the best of us!
I also wanted to tell you that I love your blog. I recently found you from MckMama. I’ve been trying to catch up. I love your honesty. You are an amazing man and you have an adorable daughter. Thanks for sharing your life with all of us! God bless you both.
Oh dear! I have done that several times with each of my children… It’s a real bummer! The one that really freaked me out was when I had turned on the heat full blast and my son was buckled into his carset with his coat on- he was burning up and crying by the time we got him out! Oh parenting is a real hoot isn’t it??!!
Matt~ I had to read aloud the your AAA phone call to my co-workers as you nearly had me falling out of my chair laughing. Many people have obviously (see above) locked their kids in a car -however, you are the only person I know who documented the incident with pictures! Who can blame ya, I’m sure it made Maddie feel like it was just another day with Daddy.
No Child Services today, you did a great job, stayed COOL and have the pictures prove it.
RE: tipping…I’ve never tipped the AAA person who comes to save me, but I’m thinking I would, if my kid was in there. Very different appreciation, good call.
We’ve all done it! Mine wasn’t the car….it was the house. My son was about Maddy’s age at the time and was toddling from room to room for 20 minutes as I ran from window to window watching him while I waited for my husband to rush home.
At least you were dressed…..I was wearing PJ’s and no shoes to run out quickly to get something out of my car….the neighbors must have though I looked pretty funny circling the house like that peering in all the windows and talking to him.
Love the ‘messing up the house’ stuff too…no matter what you do, they will always find SOMETHING to destroy in a moments time.
if it makes you feel any better, almost everyone I talked to yesterday (including myself – yes I talk to myself) had stuff like that happening yesterday. must be something in the atmosphere messing with us all
Matt — as a parent to a 12 mo and 4 yr old I have what I call MOMents from time to time. Seriously it happens to us all, even when we are vigilent! I mean I don’t let my children play in piles of glass(well maybe that one time..jk) but regardless of how watchful you are things will always happen. And if someone can say otherwise I’d love to hear from them. Don’t beat yourself up over it.
A few weeks ago I brought my kids upstairs and while I was taking my son to wash his hands I let his sister down in his room. I always close the bedroom door — always … We’ll I came out of the bathroom and the door was open (OMG, my stomach hit the floor moment)! So I go out..and she’s sitting about a foot from the stairs. I swore I closed the door! It made no sense! No sense! So she had just started walking and we were still ‘proofing’ the house so the stairs were without a gate. But now I’m getting all OCD and double checking doors everytime even with gates. So there you go…you are not alone in your guilt!
When they start to move around you really have to be a bit different– things they couldn’t do or get into weeks or months ago is now fair game. You really have to see things from their POV. As always Mattie is super lovely! Those eyes are so sweet!
Matt:
You are not alone. I locked my 2 year old grandson in my car. I felt sure my son and daughter-in-law would kill me and never let me take him again! I yelled for my neighbor to call the fire department. They rushed right over and open the doors for me. Then they let him sit in the big fire truck. I was saved.
Sorry about the misspelling– it’s Maddie! Hate when I do that!
I’m 3 years into parenting and even I still “mess” up.
I don’t think you are a bad parent at all. Doing it all yourself is hard (I went through a year long deployment with an infant and a 3 year old). I’ve never locked my kids in the car, I actually make sure I dont since I used to be HORRIBLE at locking myself out by cracking my door before shutting theirs because if I don’t, I’ll be in the same boat as you were except my phone would be in the car too. I have, however forgotten to buckle my oldest kids carseat… the actual straps. I was half way home before I noticed it and she laughed at me. (she was 3 then too). when my son was born I kept forgetting to buckle his whole carseat in, I didn’t use the base at first, I never left a parking lot though without looking back onto the kids and saying, “OH SHIT, how’d I forget that?” I decided the base would be much better because then I didn’t have to worry about forgetting to buckle the carseat in, i just snap it in.
All parents will agree with me when I say we all make mistakes and aren’t the perfect parent, if we were, well, damn that would be strange!
I think something like that has happened to everyone at some time or another. You’re doing a great job.
I locked my keys in the car with my 7month old son inside. Everything was fine until is started to pour rain and then it turned into snow. It happens to the best of us. Good luck on the rest of the day.
I know it’s not the most fashionable thing, but to prevent this from happening, I bought one of those caribiner things that you can get at the outdoor shops, like REI or Dick’s, to put your keys on. After I lock the front door, I clip it to one of my belt loops while I’m putting my girls in their car seats, then unclip it when I get into the car. That way, in case the doors lock on your car, your keys are always attached to you.
I have totally locked my daughter in the car too! It was morning and I got out of my car like always preceeded to the other side and I couldn’t open the door. Same thought, Holy shit what do I do.. So I ran inside crying to the daycare. Long story short, we called 911 the fire department came and unlocked my door. I felt like the worst parent on earth. While standing there entertaining my daughter, another parent drove up and said “We’ve all been there” So no worries. When all is down the only way left is up
Man, these things happen and you did well. Could’ve been worse — total mistake, not something that makes you a bad parent. Don’t sweat it!
I’ve gotta ask – how did you like the book The Road? (I saw it in Maddy’s mess). It’s a chilling book, but I found some beauty in it.
My mom locked my sister in the car once but their story starts with….”during a massive snow storm in Calgary!” Now ask my dad about this story and he will have no idea what you are talking about since he was never filled in on that days adventure. See my mom was driving my dads 1975 BRICKLIN SV1!! The locksmith had no idea how to break in so he took a brick to the window. This is why my dad still does not know about their adventure on that snowy day.
Matt,
welcome to parenthood!!!!! I know you have been there for a while, but I will never forget the 2 times I have locked my oldest in the car (second time he locked the door, and laughed the whole time as he wouldn’t open it!) or the time he shut the office door at my work, which of course locked automatically, leaving him inside with a plugged in Paper shredder, and me outside wondering what in the world he would get into…the fire department came for that one! had to break down the door. every time I see my old boss she reminds me of that busted door, and the broken ceiling tiles form the firefighter checking to make sure he was ok!
I guess my long story goes ot show you that children are strong and sturdy, and are that way so that we as parents can learn…hugs Matt!
Do you have a lock box on your door because you’re moving?
Keep your chin up about the “failures” of parenthood….believe me, there will be so many more to come. This incident is just a drop in the bucket! Trust me, 3 kids into parenting I realized that it is still a day by day learning experience! You’ll be fine!
okay, i am dying over here. SO FUNNY. and really, the most hilarious part was reading – “I shook myself like a wet dog” – hilarious. simply hilarious!
Glad it all worked out. I am sure i am next to lock my daughter in the car – its only a matter of time.
p.s. i bet madeline just loves her new forward facing car seat ya?
she’ll be just fine forward facing…. 
Great story! I’m glad it worked out fine. Don’t panic works well in most cases, unless or until you really need to panic.
The central locking on my car plays up from time to time, and just a month or so ago it waited until after dark and raining to craftily lock me out at the recycling centre several miles from home with all the office recycling inside.
Fortunately for me I had my phone in my trouser pocket (first time ever) and there was someone at home who could drive the spare key down to me. Made a mockery of the recycling commitment. And meanwhile that car is on a final warning…
I’m thankful for the remote door unlock service that comes with the OnStar on my new car. It can happen to anybody (especially when you’re juggling a kid and all of the stuff you have to lug with that kid to daycare.) I’m glad she was amused by the whole incident.
I’ve never locked my daughter in the car, but I did in a hotel room! Luckily, she was sleeping and never knew that I had to get the hotel management there to bust through the lock…I’m sure one day I’ll laugh at the pictures my sister was able to take since she was staying next door to me.
Shit Happens! In fact that is the saying in our home. I have a two year old daughter, and a 9 month old son. Also we have on jack russell terrier, two outside cats, three aquariums (yes that is right THREE lol), a bearded dragon, hermit crabs AND we are getting prepared for another reptile in our home. SO with all that going on, I’ve learned over the years to understand that, well shit happens! No one is perfect, we are all human. I locked my daughter in the car by accident once. I was scared, but stayed calm like you. Called a locksmith and they got her out with in 15mins of me actually locking her in the car.
A lady made a comment by me at the time of how I could possibly lock my child in the car. I just looked at her and asked her how it feels to be so perfect. I can get a bit fiesty.
Anywho, our saying “shit happens.” Madeline survived and so did you! You are not a bad parent.
Yep, keys on the roof of the car is the best idea. Otherwise you’re running around the car with all the doors open (just in case) or locking your kids in the car.
I can’t tell by the picture, but is Maddy still rear facing? My daughter is almost 2 and still rear facing, the Britax carseats are wonderful for that. She’s so adorable!!
Oh and P.S., I almost cried laughing at this part:
“this is a
holymotherfuckingshitballs moment.”
Best string of profanities ever.
LMAO @ holymotherfuckingshitballs! First time commenter here! This had me laughing out loud! (Which is not good when I’m supposed to be working!) I have a 16 month old brat baby boy. His daycare is here where I work. Our first day into the office after maternity leave, I popped his car seat (with him in it) into the base and headed home. We have a long, traffic-filled commute. I live north of Baltimore, MD and work in DC…(a commute which can range anywhere from 1 1/2 hours to 3 hours depending on the day and time that you’re traveling!) When we finally got home I realized that while he was IN his seat, I had never STRAPPED him into the seat! I felt like the worst mother and biggest dumb ass on the face of the planet. Of course all of the horrible things that could have happened went through my mind. I beat myself up for a bit….but ya live and learn! Although….GASP…I did it a second time as well! But only twice! Ha. I’m only a two-time dumbass!
You’re doing a great job! Maddy is beautiful and seems so happy!
We all have those days!
You are doing such a great job with Maddy.
I love her new ‘big girl’ carseat – you made a great choice.
I am a certified carseat technician and as a few other people have suggested, though, Maddy would be much, MUCH safer if you kept her rear-facing until she either reaches the upper weight limit of that seat, (or her head is within an inch from the top of the seat’s shell.) The American Academy of Pediatrics is now stating that the old “1 yr and 20 lbs” rule for forward facing is obsolete. “2 and 30″ is actually a better guideline.
If you want more info, please look here.
http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9916868//
I would also highly recommend getting Maddy’s seat checked at a Sake Kids event. (you can Google to see where there is one near you.)
I have to laugh, but only because I did the EXACT same thing when my oldest was 2.
I work for Child Protection Services in Canada….you handle the situation well….we wouldn’t need to get involved!
I did the same thing…when I was 19. I was babysitting for a one year old, and gave her the keys to keep her distracted, strapped her in, and shut the door. It was locked and I panicked outwardly and inwardly. Mostly panicked becasue it happened to be that cute one year old’s parent’s wedding day, and I locked the baby in the car…awesome.
Im dying laughing cuz I thought it said that the locksmith kissed maddy twice on the cheek! I was waiting for the next sentence where you knocked him out! hahahhaha! my hubby has locked our baby on the car and he looked like an ass dancing around the car until i drove the extra key to him! but anyways, i called CPS, they are on the way to your house! lol
We all have fail days!
I’ve got five kids and have even accidently left one in the car before finally realizing that I didn’t see as many people running about the house. With the first child, I actually drove to the grocery store around the corner to realize when I got there that there was no baby in the carseat. I raced back home and she was asleep in her crib.
Hi Matt,
i just discovered your blog and I am so glad i did. I am currently a single parent of two little girls, but live daily hoping that I am not a young widow like yourself. My husband is currently serving his 3rd deployment in Iraq. I never imagined single parenting could be the most difficult job I would ever have..and in the meantime trying to teach that child about the absent parent. I am completely encouraged by your strength and determination. That little girl will be a better mom someday because of you.
Thank you for using your situation as your ministry
Your little girl is perfectly adorable.
I remember going to the library with said baby in car seat. Getting in the car and putting it in reverse only to realize the baby is out on the pavement and I was very close to backing over him. After I threw up in my mouth, I put him in the car, had a cry and left the library. Definately exhausted brain. This should be on that secrets website…I’ve never told anyone that one….Whoopsie-daisy. He’s six now without any memory of my bad parenting moment.
You’re doing fine…keep soldiering on…..! :0)
This kind of shit is the story of my life. Always. My family and friends think its funny, but as you know its only funny in hindsight and while its happening it “JUST FUCKING FIGURES!”
Glad you survived your day. You’re still dad of the year.
LOL You brought back some really repressed childhood memories with this one. Mom used to do that all the time — especially when it was hot. My brother and I are sure that our brains were fried on at least one occasion. Seriously, glad it turned out ok.
When my oldest was five, I shut his fingers in the car and then I couldn’t get the door opened. He was screaming and crying. I was screaming and crying. A man was going to his car and asked me what was wrong. He had to get my kid’s fingers free because I was shrieking like a lunatic in a hysterical panic.
When my youngest was four, I took him to the pool store. I set him down right next to me while I looked at the pool book with the salesperson. He was right at my legs playing with the plastic pool that had toy fish in it. The next thing I know, I turned around to see my kid on the top of the ladder of the big pool display. Four foot pool filled with water. I screamed. Salesperson said “Good God, he’s going in.” In the time it took me to run, kid jumps in water, I jump in after him, fully clothed I might add, and get him out of the pool.
All these years later, and the fried brain is still there. My kids are now 21, 19, and 15. The other night, I forgot that I had a middle child. LOL Heaven knows how that happened. When she’s home, she is stuck to me like glue. I had to pick her up from work. She called me from work asking where I was and I was like “I forgot all about you.” Woops. LOL Don’t beat yourself up over these things. It happens to everyone.
I live in fear of doing the same thing to my daughter! My husband thinks I’m crazy paranoid for always making sure my keys are in my hands before closing the door with my daughter in the car! Thanks for proving me right! It will be so in his face! It does happen, the doors do lock themselves sometimes!
Wendy, Australia
Oh Matt I know exactly how you felt. What a bummer!! Glad locksmith got there quickley.
I just love reading your blogs and you are the most wonderful father in all the whole world.
I have a new grandchild (third) due in London, UK in five months and I am going to introduce your website yo my son-in-law as I think all fathers, alone or otherwise, should be made aware of you and how amazing and fantastic you are. xxxxxx
Meant to say you are doing such a great job with Madeline so she doesn’t feel at all insecure so that she didn’t freak out.
both of my parents did that to me on separate occasions when I was little, and I don’t remember a moment of either time. She won’t remember a thing
OMG…I can totally see me doing something like that! It’s hard not to feel bad, but DON’T! She is perfectly fine…you are the one that is scarred by having this experience.
When my son was 15mths old I burned his forhead (long story). He is now 7 and perfectly fine…and there are no scars.
I’ve been checking everyday for a week for a new post and I skipped ONE day and this is what I come back to?? Awesome! (Isn’t failblog the best?) Yea, you had some fails, but none of them were epic.
I locked my baby in the car by accident over the winter. Thankfully the car was running and warm, and my neighbor is a police officer. She was fine, while I was a total wreck. A quick call from the neighbor to police headquarters and about 15 minutes later (which seemed like an eternity!) the car was open, baby unharmed. Don’t feel bad, just use it as a reason to explain the future gray hair!
I did the same thing with the car running and my baby inside!! Yea. I freaked out. Luckily, my daughter slept while I waited outside for the police to arrive. She only woke up while they were unlocking the doors. It happens to the best of us!
I did the same thing when my baby was 1. I threw the keys in front seat and went to get in, it was locked! I was picking my car up from getting it serviced at Sears and the men there thought I was an awful parent! I had to wait 15 minutes for ny neighbor to bring me my key and my child freaked out the whole time!!
OMG…I totally did the same thing just this past weekend. Locked my 16 month old in the car. Same situation. I swear you were inside of my head reading my own thoughts! Weird! At least we both know we’re not the only ones to do this and hopefully one day our kids won’t hold this mistake over our heads!
If your life was uneventful, you wouldn’t have anything to write about…
Matt!
I have been reading your blog forever and never commented, but thank you for making me laugh! And making me feel better knowing I am not the only one to do such a thing! Last summer I was out to lunch with a friend and gave my daughter the keys on the way out to play with, she was playing with them as I buckled her into her seat, I threw them and my purse over the seat when I was done and shut the door, only do go to open the drivers door and realize that she had pushed the lock button! Yes…instant panic but remain calm. She also laughed at me for a bit. 4 cop cars later and probably 30 minutes of them trying to get the door open, Sydney was just fine, not even any tears were shed! I feel your pain however, I felt like the worst mom in the world at that moment!
You are doing an amazing job! Keep it up!
It happens to everyone! My mom’s favorite story is her doing the same thing to me….as tornado sirens were going off…and I just sat there and laughed. She had to call the fire department – they broke into the house so she could get her spare. I turned out fine, just as Maddy will! Hilarious writing of the story though. I’m glad AAA got to you so quickly:) Isn’t it nice when you get to use the things you pay for?
Matt,
You handled the situation very well!! Kudos. This happens to the best parents and grandparents in the world. If this happens to me. I am just going to tell my husband “Matt did it first” then I will be forgiven
here’s something funny….after I read this….later that evening, I forgot the towel and had to get out of the shower wet AND…when I took the dog out to potty at midnight, I didn’t notice that my daughter had played with the lock on the storm door earlier, so it locked behind me. I had no shoes on, and no way to get back in. On the other side of the door, was our newest puppy, staring back at me, cocking her head from side to side, as I cursed and banged on the door.
I finally rolled up my pj pants and trudged across the wet grass barefoot to go find the spare key. All this while my four wonderful children slept soundly upstairs.
Good times.
Congratulations on getting through this tough day! I think you are a hero to be able to be a single Dad and to do so well. Glad you are both fine!
Chuckling at the whole story…..and the numerous posts by members of the “child locked in the car” club……I have to say, in the 12 years I’ve been a mom, I have had many, many days like you had yesterday….but I’ve never locked my kids in the car!
Oh frak…I’ve just jinxed it now, haven’t I?? Screw me : )
You’re doing a great job…the fact that you stayed calm during a crisis is a testament that you’re a good parent….and it’ll prepare you for the future holymotherfuckingshitballs moment!
CALL SOCIAL SERVICES???? WOULD THAT REALLY HELP, U CALL 911 IF THERE IS A CHILD IN THE CAR THEY WILL COME ASAP!!!!!!!!
I have done the very same thing to my daughter, it was pouring rain outside and she was just fine! Then a couple of years later I did it again yet only this time it was 2 children I was babysitting!!! Like you said, kids are tough, us parents make mistakes and they will be just fine. You are doing an awesome job!
it happens to the best of us….trust me!
you are a great father!
tara
Wow…Maddie is thriving….there are more pics of you smiling aswell! Of course these smiles are often masked by the tragedy…but you’re doing an awesome job looking after Maddie + yourself. I never got to know Liz…but could she see you today, I am sure that she would have loved it. Maybe you would have been a different kind of father had Liz been alive, but maybe not. You seem to have really ‘embraced’ fatherhood…wow…Again, keep it going!
Eh, don’t be so hard on yourself…it happens to the best of us.
I have a friend who did that once. She was at Lowe’s, not only did the fire dept come with their sirens blaring, but so did our local news reporter. Nothing like smearing your mistake all over the front page of the newspaper.
*hugs*
What a great laugh you gave this Granna!!! Liz is watching over that little doll and smiling at what a wonderful job you are doing with her. You are doing such a neat thing for Maddy. Most of us struggled to keep a baby book updated – Madeline will have a novel to read one day.
Matt, I read this blog a few days ago. Until last night I have not experienced this kind of parenting brain. I went outside to close the gate to our yard. I went back to the front screen door, it was locked. My 2-1/2 yo looked at me and smiled “What’s wrong momma?” It was LOCKED!! She follows direction pretty well and was able to help her momma out. She went to get her stool from the bathroom & unlocked it for me. She was rewarded with a cookie. As soon as I calmed down I immediately thought of you and thought well some day Maddie will be old enough to give her poor dad some help
We’ve all had our moments. Guess what? You’ll never do it again. You will always make sure the doors are unlocked. You are doing a great job!
Wait until she is old enough to know how to lock a door. My 5 yr old niece locked herself in my bathroom once. I freaked, lucky through some coaxing she unlocked the door.
Something like this happens to everyone! I locked myself out of the house when my daughter was 18 months. She was strapped into her booster at the kitchen table eating lunch. I had to run to next door and call my inlaws to come let me in the house.
Also, you can call 911 and the police or fire department will come unlock your car, but only if a child is inside. They’re usually faster than a locksmith.
oh please!!!! ALL parents mess up! You are an AMAZING dad! (the capitals are me yelling the words!)….My 1st kid was left on the couch at 1 week old and fell off, my 2nd one was allowed near the stairs at 8months and fell down all of them, my 3rd was left unattended by a pool for 2 secs while I got the camera and yes he fell in! Thankfully kid 1 saved him. Kid 1 also saved our house from burning down while I left lentils on the stove and went upstairs to booby feed and saved #2 when I closed her window not knowing her head was sticking out of it…only a FEW examples…feel better? I hope so cuz I feel like shit! I follow you on all ur sites, etc…u make me happy, thank you!
I think this post is really special. Based what I have read and my attempt to put myself in your shoes, I have the impression that everyday you face this exact challange. Pretty much, as long as you have been her father, able to look into her eyes, you have been grieving. Of course you don’t want her to suffer, so every day you put on your “we’re okay” face in attempt keep her happy, healthy, fashionable and most importantly loved. And it worked. You have been making it work for over a year now. I hope you are encouraged in that.
It doesn’t really matter who I am. I am a stranger. I have read some of your blog. You are an amazing writer and photographer, and not a writer or photographer at the same time. How cool is that. You have heard all this before.
This is it. This is your life. Maddie’s life. These are THE moments, the moments to live for. No one knows more than someone like you how precious that is. There is so much to be thankful for. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with us.
Don’t feel bad buddy I locked a nurse’s kid in my car in the late 70’s with the car running…The year was the late 70’s , the temp outside was in the 100’s. Luckily we were working in an e.r. and there were some great LAPD who saved my butt…..got the kiddo out, safe and sound. Stuff happens…
I think Matt deserves the benefit of the doubt. Maddy looks to be rear facing. The seat looks to be reclined and the harness appears to be below her shoulders. Right Matt? I know you’ll follow the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines and you wouldn’t dream of forward facing her so young.
I have done the same thing…it is the worst feeling seeing your sweet baby in there just staring back at you with no clue as to what is really going on! Glad all is well
Happens to the best of us! She is a trooper, and so are you!
I love how she was so calm. And kudos to you for staying calm too. My husband started carrying a spare car key in his wallet just for this scenario, just until the kids got older and could unlock the door. I did this once, luckily I had keyless entry on my door.
OMG dont hit yourself anymore over this.I cannot even tell you how many times I have done the same and then had to play mommy is a huge itiot while not panicking and waiting for my BFF to bring me my spare set. The ONLY smart thing I did was put extra sets with ALL my friends. I cannot give any reasons as to why the whole car locking thing never got easier.THANK GOD my kids got big enough to open the door for mommy!
I did this before… the fun part was arguing with my husbands coworkers about letting me speak to him…. (luckily my cell was in my hand when I shut the door)
“he’s busy right now”
“well when he is done can you please tell him to come home because I locked our baby in the car”
“um… one moment Ill get him”
I just did that a couple months ago with my then almost-one year-old. I recounted it in my blog as a shitcrapshit whimpercrapdammit situation. I hear you! Glad to know I’m not alone!
I STILL triple-check my pocket for keys before I close the car door!
Definitely a day where you wish you could have stayed in bed! I think you did brilliant though…staying calm in an emergency that involves your child is one of the hardest, but most important things to do! If you can pull off calm the first time she needs stitches, you’ll be deserving of the best daddy on earth award!
I had the same thing happen to me with my car. took all the stuff out, threw my keys on the front seat, shut the door. Went in to get kids, and lock house, can’t get in car… We live way out in the middle of nowhere, where my cell doesn’t work half the time and I’m locked out of the house! Yeah! and the car!!! double yeah! Only good thing was the kids we’ren’t in the car. Only if they were, my 6 year old could have let me in. On, and it was the middle of winter in Pennsylvania! Definately not the way to start the day!
Matt… I have never commented before but I LOVE your blog and I think you’re an AMAZING dad but I need to comment today. I am a mother of 2 – a 2 1/2 year old boy and a 5 month old girl… I did EXACTLY the same thing about a month ago.. I put my son in his seat… went around the van.. put my daughter in her baby seat,,, threw my keys over the seat,,, laid down the diaper bag and as I was closing the door – I heard BEEP… crap…. the power lock is a dangerous thing… lucky for me the kids were happy to sit there for the 10 mins it took me to get a tow truck there with a slim jim. So there you go… it happens to everyone… you’re still awesome! LOL
So that I never lock my kids in the car (again!) I always put my keys on the roof of the car while I’m putting them in and buckling them. Then I grab the keys when I get in.
You are not a bad dad! These things happen! I once locked myself and my oldest (at the time he was one) out of my car at the post office. Lucky for me, there was an off duty police officer inside who drove me home so I could get my spare key. The fact that you remained outwardly calm is what matters. As for the coffee table, my oldest pulled stuff off of our table numerous times before it occured to me that maybe I should move the stuff. You should have seen what he did with his bookcase in his room on a daily basis.
Oh Matt, I am LOL only because I have been there! I had stopped at a gas station to wait for my parents so we could car pool to my brother’s house. I took both boys 18 and 1 month old into the gas station to get a cappuchino. I got back in the car and thought why put the older one back in his seat. We would be moving it anyway. So I locked the doors and let him roam around the car. My parents got there, I got out and shut the door. As the door slammed shut I panicked. Both boys were now locked in the car with all my other things. Luckily my parents had a cell phone so I called my husband out of work and he had to drive the 15 min to get to me meanwhile getting stopped because there was a bike marathon going on, and we all watched as my son hit every other button in the car except the one to unlock the doors! My 1 month old slept through it all. I look back at this as one of those stories I will share over and over again that eventually the kids will start rolling their eyes at because they have heard it so many times. But the panic I felt was like no other panic I had ever felt.
This will be something you will always remember and laugh about when she’s a teenager!
Ha! Matt, I have been reading your blog for about 9 months and have never commented but feel like I have to on this one. When I was younger, I was babysitting my sister, who is 16 years younger than me, and I locked her in the car. But this was in the middle of a summer day. Same frantic response from the person at AAA though….. I was laughing just a little as I read this and remembered…There are worse things you could do…
We all have bad parenting days. As far as that goes, this is not too bad. I locked my 6 month old in the car once because I let her play with the keys while I took some bags inside. Luckily she pushed the button that opens that back hatch. It wasn’t pretty to see me army crawl and flop into the back of the car, but we both got out just fine. Sheesh!
I’ve locked my oldest in the car too, when he was about 6 months. He was sleeping, so I don’t think he ever noticed, but crap did I ever feel goofy!
But we’re all human….we have those days!
I still think you’re a great Dad!
Matt, You are HUMAN!!!!!!!!! Remember?
You are definately a normal parent with a caotic life.
My hubby accidentally locked his truck (running) in a car seat in the middle of winter. We had to call the police department since it would take to long for AAA.
Things that happen now and you don’t think they are so funny, will be in the future.
My hat is off to you. You are an awesome dad. Madeline is very blessed.
Have a fabulous day,
Jennifer-Ohio
I spy a Britax rear-facing baby (YAY!)!!! Glad to hear all worked out OK, but you didn’t fail as a parent….if you had walked away and left her in the locked car for hours, then yes, you would have failed as a parent.
Great to see your little one continuing to rear-face – thanks Matt!
I have to tell you that I laughed my ass off when I read this post. I have three children and a living spouse and yet I have also managed to lock my little special needs child and PUPPY in a running vehicle at one time! You have never seen panic like I panicked…luckily, we had ON-star and the woman on the other end of the line could not have been sweeter and three seconds later…click!!! Thanks for sharing such a harrowing experience and Happy Mother’s Day, you wonderful Dad/Mom
I’m sorry .. but that was the best post ever.. you had me cracking up..
we have all been there!!! seriously..
15 years, 8 months ago, I locked my then 4 month old son in the car on a very warm day – I totally freaked out and called 911. They came right away and he was totally fine…I was a basket case. The fireman said ‘Ma’am, why are you so upset’? I said ‘because I’m his MOTHER and I just locked him in the CAR’. He said ‘it happens all the time and don’t worry – he’s fine.’ I didn’t tell my husband for weeks.
You did far better than I did….she never knew you were upset and since you were ‘fine’, she was fine. You did GREAT.
Thankfully, my son doesn’t remember anything about that incident….he’s turning 16 in a week and he’s survived 15+ years of many ‘brain fart’ moments from his parents.
You are doing great…..and she’s absolutely beautiful.
Matt.. DO NOT feel bad at all.. I believe EVERY parent has had a OH SHIT moment! I remember when my daughter wasnt even a year old yet she was just scooting on her booty when I was talking on the phone with my grandma & walked into the garage from my backroom & closed the door behind me so she wouldnt scoot into the garage. & guess what?! The door was locked behind me! Awwww man! Thank goodness I found a screwdriver in my messy garage & managed to break into my own house through a window.. lol By then, she had scooted all the way towards the locked garage door & was crying.. But she was A OKAY!
So thats my moment.. Dont feel guilty or bad at all.. 
I am not being mean but I did laugh a lot … I have done the same thing. Once I even forgot to drop her off at day care. When I got to work and reached for my purse she said Mami and I jumped. Oooopppps. She is now 12 and I left her at home last week by mistake. About 2 blocks from home she called my cell and said “Mom???” Where I responded “Aw shit baby, I forgot you didn’t I?”
It happens. Thank the powers that be she was fine and laughing. You are doing an AWESOME job. Once the fear passes you will also laugh about this.
Keep up the good work
Melissa from PCB
Matt – I did the exact same thing…only it was during a hurricane!!!!! 10- years later…I can finally laugh about it! You will too. Don’t be so hard on yourself…you are doing a fabulous job!
When I left my two year old alone for a minute to ANSWER THE PHONE, he removed his diaper, shit on the floor, and rolled his dump truck through it. Several times, it seemed.
Fun. Fun times.
I have to tell you that my husband did the same exact thing with my son – who was probably the same age as Maddie – when he pulled out of the car wash and got out to dry the car. My son reached up with his little foot and somehow hit the lock and it locked all the doors. I was in the center of town getting a pedicure when the police and fire engines went flying by with sirens blaring and jokingly said “hope all is ok at home, my husband is in charge” – no idea they were all headed to rescue my baby! We still laugh about it.
You, Matt, are doing the most fabulous job ever raising Maddie – she is one fortunate little girl to have such an amazing dad (and mom!). Ages 1-2 are the most difficult because of safety but don’t worry, you’ll get through them just fine!
A new reader to your blog, I want to thank you for your honest truckers mouth. I too enjoy the great use of a cuss word now and then.
I also want to thank you for the picture of the wicked braided rat’s tail on the aaa driver. Love knowing it will never go away.
Look forward to many more reads. Glad to hear you have a tough cookie as your daughter.
I have had many many of those holymotherfuckingshit days! Hang in there Matt! You are a great dad, and we all mess up sometimes ya know?
Oh and I forget my towel sometimes too.
Ps ~ Even though your post wasn’t suppose to be funny it made me laugh, and what’s even funnier is some of these responses! The dump truck through the poop really got me!
You know….I have to say how impressed I am that you were so calm and collected! I think a lot of parents could learn many lessons from reading your blog! And the good thing is…Maddy is okay, you’re okay, and you will ALWAYS double check to see if your keys are in your hand from now on!
PS I’m one of your creepers that has followed you for over a year now and that has a link to your blog from mine, but I have only commented MAYBE twice! (Now three times!!)
Matt — so glad to hear everything worked out well. I work for AAA, and want to let you know you did exactly the right thing by telling the call taker that your baby was locked in the car. That info helps so much. So glad to hear AAA could help. Thanks for the shout out!
Now that you have a toddler in your house, you are in for such an AWESOME ride. Just keep a sense of humor about you and a beer in the fridge for the end of a LONG day.
God Bless, Matt. You are one amazing dude.
It sounds like you did just what you’ve been doing since the day after she was born – stayed close and made her feel loved and safe, even while you were feeling alone and scared. You’re a great daddy with a great sense of how to love your baby girl well.
Oh, and if this is the stupidest thing you will have done by the time Maddy is grown and on her own, you’ll be a king among parents….
I read this and thought of a story from my co-worker, which I posted on my blog. If you have a minute…you might get a chuckle out of it.
http://busymominiowa.blogspot.com/2009/05/lessons-learned.html
You are an awesome father…I love reading your blog
I locked my first in the car TWICE… TWICE!! It happens more than you would ever guess!!
I would have freaked out. I’m not good in those situations. Good for you for staying calm — at least on the outside.
Oh Matt, I totally feel for ya. I have had similar things happen and somehow managed to stay calm for my kids. My daughter Misty (2) and I have been in three accidents (not my fault) and have had one flat tire and three dead batteries (I swear my van has the worst bad luck) and I have called the necessary people, remained calm, and fed her snacks and kept things level for her. It is funny how most people would think “why didn’t you panic?” but well… Sometimes it’s more important to keep the kiddo from freaking out.
And our instincts take over!
Glad it all worked out okay! It is nice to hear that AAA and the locksmith both took things so seriously!
Just want to say THANK YOU, Matt for this post, because as I this morning locked my own daughter in the car, what helped to keep me from totally breaking down and feeling like the worst parent in the word was knowing that it has happened to others and our children still love us.
don’t feel bad. i totally locked myself out of the house with my children inside. Not once, not twice, but three times. 2 of the times were my 3 year olds fault and once was mine. We called the fire department all three times. they broke my door once, my window once, and once I found a key.