I have just returned from vacation with a 4 year old, a 2 year old,
and twin 16 month olds.  We stopped at a lot of restaurants and
inevitably, when getting ready to leave I would try to pick up a child
out of high chair and find they were still strapped in.  This also
happened when trying to get a kid out of an amusement park ride.

So, I need a phrase for the "I'm an idiot" feeling one gets when
trying to lift a child and discovering the child is still strapped to
the seat. (My instinctive explectives are not appropriate for little
ears).

Please note I do not need a phrase for the idiot feeling one gets from
taking four small children on vacation.  I have that one well handled.

My favorite "I'm an idiot" phrase comes from "The Simpsons."

At least twice a week I do some dumbfool thing that causes me to smack
my forehead with the heel of my hand and say "D'oh!"

http://www.bourland.com/pics/doh.jpg

try the lone ranger. " hiyo, silver! stay!

?Oh I?d like to meet that fool who invented atomic bonds!?

Dumbstrapped.

Nkamom..........

I don't have a phrase for you but, boy oh boy, I must commend you on
going on vacation with four such young children. They must be well
behaved as I was never able to take my son to anywhere ( but
McDonald's ) until he was ten years old...

Steph53

Hi Steph

In my former (prechildren) life I was a divorce attorney.  So in
addition to good organization skills, I have a grand ability to look
oblivious when shocking things are going on around me.  It comes in
very handy when traveling with my kids.

Actually, they are quite well-behaved, and I have managed to take all
four of them out by myself to places like the zoo or shopping.  When
my husband goes along too it is fairly managable.

BTW, having given it more thought, I am leaning toward "Strapola" as
the answer to my own question.

You really need an expletive.

How about ... 'O Sugarlumps'

????

Phooey is my favorite.  My granddaughter once asked, "Grandma, why do
you say phooey?"  And I told her it's a word to say when you want to
say a bad word and you know you shouldn't.  So now she says phooey
too.   :-)

Mother buckles!