It was a hot Southern California day (aka yesterday). I had been out to run a few errands with the kids. We got back home and headed to the backyard to play before lunch. I put a bit of water in their water table and headed in the house for a wireless speaker to get their music going while they played. I arrived to our back door only to find that it was locked. Through some fluke I had accidentally locked my kids and myself outside. Our dog was the only one inside. How I wish she had hands instead of paws. She went in and out through her doggie door while we hung out in the backyard – stranded. It was lunch + nap time and I had no spare key. I couldn’t even drive us somewhere to get food because my car keys are attached to my house keys. Of course. I had to document this moment with a picture.
My kids were none the wiser. They played at the water table the whole time. I stepped out in our driveway so they wouldn’t hear my phone calls. I called my husband who works over an hour away. I got his voicemail. He called back a bit later and tried to think of who might have our extra key. I called my next door neighbor. I was thinking that the kids and I might hang there while I figured out a solution. She was dropping her kids at summer school and headed back home. Being the amazing woman that she is, called AAA and had them come out and picked up lunch for the kids and I on her way home. In the same time, my husband had found a locksmith and his godparents were asking me to take a cab to their home until my husband got home from work.
We ended up staying at my neighbors and eating lunch until AAA showed up. They let us in and my kids just rolled on with the rest of our day. I on the other hand kept saying “there’s no place like home” in my head. I was determined to have a fun summer day with the water table, bubbles and music. That was my goal for the kiddos. It didn’t quite work that way. Obviously, I learned a few lessons along the way. Let’s talk about goals!
Things change? Roll with it. You never know what can happen to throw you off. I’d never locked myself out. Wasn’t expected but I had to roll with it.
Keep calm. My kids didn’t realize we were locked out. I kept my conversations out of earshot and kept my cool and smiley face in place. There’s no need for everyone to be frazzled when things go wrong. Just work on making it right.
Ask for help. I called people that I knew were at home and would help me. If an issue comes between you and your goals, there is no reason you have to figure it out all alone. If you’re already thrown off by a road block, having someone to talk it through with you can make all the difference.
And this last one goes without saying, right? In my situation, keep spare keys handy!
65 Comments on Summer Days + Spare Keys
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
It sounds like you made the best of a situation that could’ve been not so great. Glad you had people that could help you in your time of need.
That sounds like a very tricky situation you were in, but at least you made the best of it. I have certainly had my fair share of being locked out of either my car or my house with nothing much to do, except ask for help and wait for it to arrive.
Toni | Boulder Locavore recently posted…DIY Milk Carton Bird Feeders
You’ve got the right idea. Roll with it. You can either freak out and get upset when something doesn’t go as planned, OR you can roll with it and make the best of it.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle recently posted…$500 Ultimate Cash Giveaway Follow Page
Sounds like you handled it very well! My neighbor does have a key, but if she wasn’t home I don’t know what I would do lol.
Christy Maurer recently posted…Marie Odile Handbag Giveaway
It seems like the day went pretty well anyway. It sounds like you have really awesome neighbors, too. 🙂
Felissa @ Two Little Cavaliers recently posted…Davinia and Indiana Help The Garden Grow #BarkBoxDay
so nice that your neighbors were there to hand out with you. Sounds like you really did make the best of a bad situation!
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) recently posted…Download the FREE Kraft “Fire Up the Grill” cookbook! #CookingUpSummer #Kraft
Sounds like you did the exact thing you should have. So many times I freak out and it does nobody any good!
Angela recently posted…The Myths of UTI’s & Menopause
You definitely handled that situation well. The last time I locked my keys in the car, my kids went into panic mode!
It sounds like you made the best out of a bad situation. You have a really great neighbor.
This is a situation I dread. It hasn’t happened yet but what a great reminder to get spare keys. We only have 2 sets, and that is just asking for disaster.
I did that once. I was doing laundry and the little one was playing on the porch. I went outside in my laundry day shorts, barefoot, to check on him and the door closed behind me! Needless to say, I spent a very embarrassing afternoon at the neighbors, too.
MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) recently posted…14 Must Watch Childhood Throwbacks on @Netflix #streamteam
Ugh. I am THE WORST about asking for help. My husband is my best advocated making sure that he’s asking me or reminding me to ask him!
Hi Camesha 🙂
Sounds like you had one of those days lol Good for you for making it turn out positive! It is all in how you deal with something isn’t i? Great share!
Joan Harrington recently posted…What Can You Do to Get More Comments?
It’s funny, I always forget the importance of keeping the disaster of the situation as to myself as possible. At least, I did until I had children. Now I know the first rule is to just be calm, always, without exception. – Jerusha, TheDisneyChef.com
Jerusha (TheDisneyChef.com) recently posted…Flank Steak Dry Rub – Liberty Tree Tavern
Love the visual and how it collides with the message>thinking of a master plan!!
Sacha recently posted…Careful is a trick
I have always been afraid of locking me and the kids out of the house! We put a padlock code on our door so that’s one less worry for me lol
What a lovely neighbor you have and I am glad you found someone to come to your rescue. I had a similar situation happen to my kids and I about five years ago and my husband had to leave work for a bit to help us. All’s well that ends well right?
Marcie W. recently posted…Superb Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin With Neutrogena #ChooseSkinHealth #IC #sponsored
I had no idea that AAA helped with locked home doors. This happened to me once but my toddler was the one who locked me out. And laundry at me. Not funny at all.
Kimberly Thomas recently posted…NYCB Theatre at Westbury Summer Kid’s Series
I’m sorry you got locked out…but I’m so glad that I could learn from you. And great idea putting your kids at the water table…so genius to distract them with something so fun!
Amanda recently posted…Best BBQ Dishes that Impress
oh that sounds like something I would totally do! thankfully my husband works so much closer!!
You’re so right – sometimes you’ve got to stay calm and just roll with it. Sometimes you’ve just got to figure out how to work it out.
We ended up installing electronic keypads on all of our doors. Now I never worry about getting locked out. Sorry that happened to you!
Theresa recently posted…How We Are Beating The Summer Boredom Blues
I have been locked out of my house before for hours and felt so helpless. It took the cop who lives across the street from me to break into my car to get to my garage door opener remote control, only to find that the garage door to the house was also locked. Lol. he had to break into my house too! We laugh about it now but I was pretty stressed that day
You handled it very well that you were locked out of the house and didn’t panic. That was a great mom moment.
Beth@FrugalFroggie recently posted…Olay Pro-X Facial Cleansing from Daily Steals
Reads like you had it all under control… I am glad. I would hate to be locked out.
Nice reminder because I don’t have a spare key either if I get locked out. We come in and out of our garage so if that garage door closes and locks somehow we are stuck. I would have to call the hubs or something to come and get me.
Kita recently posted…Birthday Gift Ideas for the Gentlemen in Your Life
How awesome that you had help in a rough situation. I once locked my oldest in the car and neighbors were around to help distract while AAA was getting me back in. It was so stressful and I was so thankful for the help while I was completely freaking out.
You made the best out of that tricky situation. Others would just keep on screaming.
Good job, mom on staying cool! I would have been so frazzled, but no need to worry the kids!
Christie recently posted…KNEX Mighty Makers Going Green Building Set Giveaway
So glad this turned out for you. I have done this also. Thankfully, I had left a key with my sis in law sometime before.
Debbie Denny recently posted…July Find The Good in Our World! #FindtheGood
I love how oblivious kids are! Glad you got sorted snd still have a lovely day x
Joanne recently posted…Free Sports this Summer | Sports and children
Sounds like you did a great job. You were given a situations and you handled it well and didn’t let it get out of control and get worse! Way to roll with it!
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) recently posted…Summer Roll – the perfect roll any time of year!
That’s great advice for so many situations. I’m glad you have such a wonderful support system that was able to come to your aid!
Crystal recently posted…5 Ways to Prevent Drowning
Great advice for any situation! I love that your kids were none the wiser and had a great time playing. Go, mom!
Meredith@MommyAtoZ recently posted…W is for… Wednesday Weird Parenting News
I’ve been locked out with the kids before, but at least I still had the car keys. I would’ve been stir-crazy in your shoes. You handled yourself well! 🙂
Ai recently posted…Grocery Shopping Alternatives for the Busy Mom (or “I Can’t Go to the Store with All My Kids!”)
It’s definitely best to be adaptable and not panic. Decisions tend to be hasty and rash when you let bad situations get to you.
Liz Mays recently posted…Chicken Taco Casserole with Orzo
It sounds like you handled this perfectly. Keeping calm is so important for sure!
Valerie recently posted…Have Multiple Phone Numbers On Your Mobile Phone With Flyp
Always best to just roll with it– although I know sometimes I forget that!
Beth recently posted…Thai Festival Chicago 2015
Glad you found a place to wait with the kids! I have TOTALLY done this before and had to burglarized my own home!
Tracy recently posted…Liebster Award!
Ugh what a day! I agree, you just have to roll with it. Glad you got in without breaking a window.
Stefanie recently posted…Fun in the Sun Picnic with JELL-O
We have a couple of close people who have spare keys (as well as my husband) to make sure that I can do something. Thankfully we also have nice neighbors who will let us chill for a while.
It’s so cool that your kids kept calm and that rolled over on you. You handled it well. It’s true sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
Nadeen recently posted…Love Cork Screw Wine: An interview with founder Chrishon Lampley!
Losing your keys can surely be frustrating. I have only one key to my car and I always worry if it goes missing while I’m waiting to get a second one made. Reminds me I need to get that done.
Jonna recently posted…Curly Goddess Giveaway
Glad you were able to handle the situation calm cool and collected. Being locked out is not fun.
Holly recently posted…Exploring Downtown Detroit
You did a great job keeping the calls out of the kids hearing range. It turned out to be a great day after all, especially for the kids.
Ora Lee Gurr recently posted…Traveling Tuesdays: Virtual Visit to the Castle Grant
I locked myself out of the house in the winter when I was 6 months pregnant with my first. At that time we had just been living there a short time and didn’t know anyone. I thought I would walk to my husbands work which was only about 7 miles away. I met a man standing beside a payphone that insisted I call some one and even paid for it. I couldn’t remember anyone’s phone number except my work’s so I called them. They called my husband and he came and picked me up off the side of the road. Fun times… 🙂
becka recently posted…Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium Gatlinburg Tennessee
That’s a great attitude and a good lesson learned. With that you can weather anything.
Love this story Camesha!!! Especially your awesome neighbor… You’re blessed! 🙂
Emerald recently posted…Baked Chinese Five Spice Wings
I think that staying calm it super important. I could of used that advice when my 3 year old locked me out of the house last winter.
Kristen recently posted…Spicy Peach Pork Chops
Ah things really don’t always go as planned. And you’re right, there’s no place like home.
Keeping your calm and cool definitely helped the kids have NO idea what was going on! That is awesome, I am so glad that you were able to get inside the house through AAA! I didn’t know that little detail! And yes, spare key! I’ll remember that too.
Renee @ Gettin’ Fit Fab recently posted…You Probably Don’t Know
It takes a lot of resilience to stay calm and find work-arounds. Good job!
Patranila recently posted…Rocksbox – #BeYourBrightest
So glad to hear of a positive outcome! We have all lost our keys, or ID or some other important document or item. Thanks for sharing how you turned this around!
LaQuisha recently posted…Do You Reject Goodness?
What a blessing that you had so many people available to help you. I didn’t know AAA could help with being locked out of the house
LOL! This reminds me of the day everything in my life went wrong—including locking myself out of my house! Luckily I had my phone and charger and decided to just sit outside on my patio and enjoy my backyard–which I didn’t do often enough. It made me realize that things could always be worse…
Julian B. Kiganda (@BoldFearless1) recently posted…Part 2: How I Built a Six-Figure Brand as a Natural Hair Blogger with Tamara Floyd
What a day! Great that you had so many resources to help you get back in! Locking yourself out is like one of the worst moments!
Kasi recently posted…BET Awards 2015 Red Carpet Slays and Nays
You did a great job handling this. Having kids has caused me to keep my panic in check. Like you I don’t want to put my worry on them. At the end of the day your kids still had a great time playing outside. Glad things worked out.
Michellette “MimiCuteLips” Green recently posted…Corner Bakery Grilled Flats
Rolling with it is def the best idea. It’s so hard to think straight when you are upset.
I am so glad you were able to get inside the house. I know if I were in that situation I would’ve been freaking out and definitely would’ve made the situation worse. I commend you for being able to stay calm. You handled that situation great. This is a great post.
Katherine G recently posted…6 Things You Should Know About An OverThinker
I’m glad you were able to make the best out of a bad situation. Thankfully your kids were none the wiser and everything worked out.
Vashti (veepeejay.com) recently posted…Best Deep Conditioners for Natural Hair 4b/4c
Crazy, this was just me last week. So glad my grandmother had an extra key.
Raijean recently posted…Outfit Post: She’s A Lady
You handled this situation perfectly. I am taking notes!
Latoicha recently posted…Luxetips Automobiles! Scenic Tour of San Francisco in The New 2015 Ford Edge!
Oh, that is so frustrating. To add insult to injury, the dog could get in and out, but you couldn’t. I would have been desperate enough that I would have tried to get in through the doggie door.
I love that you kids never even knew! That makes all the difference in the world! I have to remember to keep that in mind when a situation arises, because one always does in mommy world. LOL
Bijee recently posted…Choosing Our Marriage
I loved how you made the best of a potentially bad situation. I myself have been locked out of the house, thanks to a very faulty storm door!! thankfully, we had a trusted neighbor with a spare key!!