power locks are inoperable most of the time

I began experiencing problems with my power locks a while back. Locking and unlocking is almost impossible manually and with the keyless entry remote.Now it is beginning to occur more frequently and have found myself unable to open driver door and had to pass out of the passenger front door. I also I have a small child which I have had to put in through the front doors in order to place him in and out of his car seat which is a pain in the ass. I am so afraid that is this problem if not fixed and keeps getting worse that I will find myself trapped inside my vehicle and that is terrifying. If anyone has had the same problem and had the problem fixed please let me know the outcome and the diagnosis because I cannot afford to have it looked at right now.