My Minivan Door Problem

October 19, 2012

Find this adorable print on Etsy!

I drive a minivan. You probably know that because I like to write about it. I am not sure why, but I do. See minivan love and never say never.

And for some reason, I have a problem with making sure the doors are closed. Maybe it’s because I am impatient. When I pull into the drive I am “okay kids, we are home! Everyone out!” and dash in the house expecting my crew to be at my heels and to remember our rule : last one out closes the door. But that gets missed. A lot. If I had a dollar for every time someone said “you know your car door is open”. Well, you know what I mean.

It is left open in the driveway most often. And that usually isn’t such a bad thing. Except once, last year, it was left open and the next morning I found muddy paw prints all over the seats and goldfish strewn like confetti, crumbs everywhere. A raccoon. And if you read my post about all the snacks I carry in my car (soccer sanity), you can imagine what the interior looked like. And you should also know that I find raccoons disgusting, gross beyond description. No Kissing Hand, no woodland animal reference or black mask can woo me. The result was a car detail, immediately. Followed by a long, long stretch of making sure the door was closed.

On another occasion a friend and I left an indoor children’s play place and on our way home stopped at the McDonalds off I 95 in Darien, CT. I scrambled through my purse, grabbed a debit card and left my purse, with the wallet on top and open, and the wide, almost car length mini van doors OPEN at an I-95 rest stop. Yes, east coast women of the world, I -95. We eat, the kids run around, stand on chairs until we had enough and it was time to leave. And all I have to say is someone is looking out for me. All there. Not touched. Thank you, I thank you.

And I was on a good roll for a while when this past Sunday I was going to my favorite yoga class. I keep my mat in my trunk. I get my mat, grab a water, and head into class, before I am forced to slow and breathe, and spend over an hour and a half inside. This time I return to the trunk open, purse on the front seat, cell phone in purse. All there. Again, thank you.

Does anyone else share this car door problem? I think it has something with the automatic aspect. By the way – this is an isolated issue for me. As in, I have never lost a cell phone or keys or heavens forbid wallet. I am otherwise a pretty together girl. Not that I am defensive about it. I just thought you should know that. In case you thought I was a flake or something. Because I’m not. Except with my car doors. Sometimes. Yep, okay. Signing off.

Written by Mary Kate O’Malley

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Category: Random and Fun

5 Comments »

Marta Kyle
on October 19, 2012 9:57 pm
So long as the children are not left in the car you’re good!! One time Ashley fell asleep in the third row of a Suburban I was renting and not being used to the car I assumed all the kids were out of the car!! Needless to say I am inside and I hear relentless honking coming from outside and say to the kids “who is honking their horn?” I go outside to find her hysterically crying and terrified!! She was smart to honk!! Total mommy space job!! Now I do a roll call when I am home to ensure I have all the troops!!!
Heidi Farmer
on October 21, 2012 8:11 pm
Oh man! I can relate. My only saving grace is that I always wait for the beep when I lock my minivan doors. When I don’t hear a beep after pushing the button, say, 20 times, I go to investigate and usually find said door open. I think this has saved me!
Anne Schenendorf
on October 22, 2012 6:27 pm
I agree with Marta. Ashley is such a smart resourceful girl!!! I’m so impressed!!! I also feel like if the kiddies are all there life is great. There is alot of cuties to count. I can soooo relate. The other day I was at the library and Jack ran out of sight. I kept one eye on Seany as I quickly ran from aisle trying to find him. A mom by the door pointed out that he left the kids room and was headed for the stairs. Eesh. My heart did leap from my chest. All is well the ends well. With Seany under my arm I explained to Jack that running away like that is danger. MaryKate, this morning, Greg went to leave for work and he found a set of keys in the door- again. This is a too often occurence. I too am beyond grateful for our protectors above. As for furry masked friends, first, I still howl laughing at that story. That is wiping tears from eyes funny. I can vividly picture it all. A week or so ago, Greg ordered food for a Mon night football game. When the delivery guy came up- he thought we had a pet. Greg is super allergic and the animal that greeted him on ththe porch was a racoon. I almost peed in my pants from fear. My heart raced. Greg is clearly a Kissing Hand person because he was a teenager and the poor thing tried to escape the same way the twins do- over the side. It made me feel for the little guy when he was compared to my beloved babies. It was like the time a baby squirrel got stuck in our cimney when I was pregnant. We had the person set him free far away. I may be a Kissing Hand person too. Sort of- after the terror subsides. MaryKate, that really is hysterical. What did the kiddies think of the racoon who borrowed the snacks?
Marykate Wurster
on October 22, 2012 9:22 pm
Anne that is really scary. They are so bold – that is why they scare me! Eeek. The kids were like – woooooaaaahhhhh – what happened?! Although that didnt seem to deter them from forgetting to close the doors – not that I am pointing fingers here! I should remind them of that – bring out the old “kids remember when the racoon got in the car story” every time they forget. Every family needs those.
Marta I did that once I think Amanda was a baby – I walked in the house like – I know I am forgetting something…. I have this nagging feeling… My baby!!
Heidi – now that is a nice feature. I need me some of that!
Anne Schenendorf
on October 25, 2012 7:34 am
This also cracks me up because I have been on a “we need a minivan” campaign as our honda lease is up soon. Whenever we have a car issue, I notice it could be solved with a minivan. Mad baby on his way to dinner yelling for Cailou? Minivan(standard dvd player)! Sun in someone’s little eyes? Minivan!(built in shade blockers-standard in two models I know of), two babies in arm and struggling to open a car door again, a daily occurence? Minivan!!! Then of course my climbing in the back through a tiny space when Greg is driving and babies need me? The spacious minivan!!!! After my laughter about this article died down, it made me reconsider the minivan. We have raccoons around here. That could easily happen to me. Hmmm. The lure of the sliding door and everything else still draws me, lol…