When Toddlers Lock You Out: Parenting Mishaps and How to Survive Them

Not medical advice. For emergencies, call your local emergency number.

This post highlights a common and often humorous parenting challenge: toddlers unintentionally creating stressful situations. The author, pregnant and in freezing, rainy weather, was locked out of her house by her 2-year-old son. The situation escalated when she couldn’t immediately contact help and had to creatively communicate with her son through a cat flap to retrieve her phone. This scenario, while extreme, is relatable to many parents who have experienced unexpected ‘crises’ caused by their young children. It underscores the need for quick thinking, patience, and the surprising resilience that parenting fosters. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of having backup plans and potentially childproofing routines that can prevent such lockouts, even if accidental.

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