The Automatic Lock Controversy

Similiar story, different day, different kid. This time it wasn't me who locked the doors, and it was Teagan who was stuck in his car seat.

I went to the gas station this afternoon, intending to jump out, get some gas, and go on my merry way. So I pull up, turn the car off and get out. Little Miss Tatum asks if she can get out. I say no, and shut the door. Not locking it, because who does that while they are pumping gas?

I have an obstinate 5 yr old though.

Sure enough, not more than 2 minutes later, who do you suppose is climbing out of the front seat?

She opens the driver door, says "I got out", grinning, of course. Then hops to the ground, shuts the door and........ CLICK!!! There went those damn automatic locks again. I assume she must have hit the button while she was leaning on the door's arm rest to get out, because I know it didn't click when I got out.

Teagan, unfortunately, has not mastered the art of extracating himself from his car seat. So, he was left alone, in the locked van, with my keys and cell phone, while I had to explain to the clerk that I needed to use his phone because somebody locked her brother in the car.

Bobby was none too happy since I was 25-30 minutes away and he had just put Tess down for a nap. It might have been faster to call the police, but I wasn't calling them and looking like idiot Mom again.

So, Tatum and I stood out in the cold, freezing our ears off, while Teagan sat in the warm van munching on chicken nuggets and fries. He didn't seem to mind at all.

Needless to say, he was the only one who was spoiled with a blue raspberry slushie from Target half an hour later, while Tatum was sent home with Daddy.