[Snowkitten]

Urgghhh really struggling with relationship with H, I would really value any input or insight.
Yesterday on way back from 3 hr trip we stopped at a services for food and a break, my DD and I decided to wait in the car. And as my daughter was talking to me at the time I didn't hear my husband click central locking and lock us in... it was soo..oo..oo hot and I was STUCK I couldn't open a window or doors as it is all electrical! I freaked out... tried really hard to hold it together whilst daughter was with me, but hysteria was rising... I am so claustrophibic. As it turns out it was extremely busy and one thing led to another with toilet breaks and having to stand in 2 different queues for food as son insisted on having different food so after all that it took them 45 mins to get back to the car!

I was crying and hysterical, pretty much lost it, I am so not proud of my reaction and don't want to justify my reaction but my past and childhood mean that I can't stand being held down or trapped and it completely flipped me and I have been on verge of tears ever since and its now 24hrs ago. I feel completely on edge and panicked.

[Perna]

Oh, that sounds like a horrible experience and trigger!

Are you sure you cannot open the doors from the inside when they're locked? Most cars allow the inside openers to work, maybe not in the back "child" seats but most front seat passenger side doors can open or the knob pulls up, etc. I think it's probably against the law for them not to open (unless it's a police car :-)

What I would do is make sure I had a key to that car; I always have my key to our car as DH is too slow to let me in when we're somewhere or, like you, he'll go off and I'll want to start the engine so I can put the windows down, etc. Usually though, I just open the door a bit when H gets out to get gas or whatever and I'm stuck in a "dead" car.

[lynn P.]

(((Snowkitten)))) - I'm very sorry this happened and you're still upset. Some cars even though they're electrical the lock can be pulled out....probably your were hidden in the frame of the window. Did your husband not realize he locked the car, since it was hot? Don't worry you don't have to justify your reaction - feelings are yours and no judgement here. I hope you'll be kind to yourself and rest ...hopefull you'll feel better soon.

[Leed]

He should NEVER have done that to you !!! Knowing that the car cannot be unlocked from the inside he should have made SURE you had another set of keys!! And you SHOULD have a set of keys to that car!!! Make sure you do from now on. I wonder if this man would leave an ANIMAL in the car like that -- it would kill them. He should have realized that after he was inside for awhile, you were out there roasting!!! What's the matter with this idiot? Is he always cruel to you?

He must know about your fears!! Doesn't he think? I would have let him have it with BOTH BARRELS and made sure he NEVER did that to me or anyone else again!! SHAME ON HIM. This infuriates me.
If you're afraid of him, you shouldn't be with him. Hugs, Lee

[RomanSunburn]

I'm very sorry you went through this! I can easily understand how upsetting it would be!

My dad has an electric car and for the longest time he didn't know he could unlock his car from the inside without the car being on, his keys, etc. The locks just blend in with the door. I know when I get panicky I stop thinking rationally and don't notice things in front of me. (I don't think legally cars companies could get away with doors that don't unlock from the inside unless it's running because someone could get trapped inside during an electrical failure and there would be law suits out to the wa-zoo).

Also, when I was younger, if my parents were going into the gas station or a store and left me or my sister behind in the car, they instructed us to lock the car from the inside. Generally they left the keys in the car, but still made sure we locked it. Perhaps he thought he was trying to keep you and your daughter safe. Or heck, maybe he just wasn't thinking and locked the car out of habit.

I agree with the others, start carrying a key with you. Also, talk to you husband about what happened so he knows to be more careful next time.

I hope you feel better soon!