To think you don't just walk in

Where I grew up no doors were ever locked, everyone knew everyone and we’d knock as we went in. still do to the people who still live there, friends and family.
i live further away now but when we’re in the back door is unlocked and our friends and family just come in, usually know they’re coming but an unexpected visit isn’t unheard of 🤷‍♀️ not a big deal at all, if someone’s door is locked or we’re not close I’d knock and wait though

Where were you taken back to?

I hate this and consider it rude. My MIL will usually do this, so if I know shes coming over I make sure the door is locked!

I know you said not to mention it but you really should lock the door. Anybody could have walked in.

I lock the door but with close family I wouldn’t mind this. At my grandparents I’d walk right in, my sisters I’d knock then check the door and go in if unlocked. It’s kind of seen as saving them going to the door when you know you’re welcome to come in. Maybe she thought you’d have your hands full with your son?

I wouldn’t do it with all family though and always message before going round somewhere!

I wouldn't like it but if you have a front door that can be opened from the outside there may be an assumption that you are fine with knock and enter.

My front door has a latch so even if it isn't double locked with the mortice (we do this when out and overnight) you have to open it from the latch from inside unless you have a key. I'd have to fix the latch open for it to be opened from the outside but then it would just swing open in the breeze which is a bit of an advert to burglars and drafty. I do live in a busy town centre though. It must be very safe where you live!

Thank God it was just your aunt who walked in…

Lock your doors or face the consequences.

Yes this is one of those things where there are two distinct camps. It's perfectly normal and okay for many people, and definitely not normal or okay for many others.

I would venture that as you don't like it, you probably should keep your door locked - after all if your (hopefully) friendly aunt can just walk in then so can anyone else!

FWIW I am definitely in the I don't like it camp and I'd never just walk into someone's house. DH's family is the opposite - they all leave their doors open and just walk in to each others' homes.

Jesus, my in-laws do this. They come round to the back of my house and just let themselves in. Unannounced. Makes me more angry than just about anything else. I usually learn they’ve turned up when their unruly dog comes barrelling into my home.

My boys would just let themselves in but then they would also have warned us by a call or text that they are coming over.

Our youngest’s carers will just let themselves in, but again, it is because we are expecting them.

I would never just walk into someone’s house. It’s polite to knock and wait.

Depends on you I suppose & what you’re used to. The only people who would knock on my door would be PIL if they ever came round, all my family & friends just walk in.

I don't think anyone should be just ringing the bell and walking in unless you've told them they can.
On the other hand, it does show you that if you leave your door unlocked, anyone could walk in off the street.

Lock your doors!!

I hate this. Our front door is locked if shut, it can’t be left unlocked. But my family open the gate to our back garden and just walk straight in through our French doors. I don’t walk around the back of anyone’s house. I think it’s incredibly rude.

It obviously isn't the norm in your family OP and yes that would irritate me. My parents have a key to our place but when they come to stay they always ring the doorbell first (initially) I guess to be polite. It wouldn't bother us if they let themselves in.

I don't like it, and I had some teething issues with in-laws after I moved closer to them. But all sorted now. I do think some people just don't mind it, but I do. I generally don't like uninvited visit to my house either.

Normal for our family - all my adult kids, mum and sister have a key! If you don't want her to do this, keep your door locked so no-one can walk in. Probably sensible if you've got a little one in the house!

My FIL did this all the time until I asked him to stop. It was an awkward conversation really cos I know he wasn’t doing it to be nosey or out of entitlement whatever, just that he considered it normal. Always a tap, then he’d open the door and shout ‘hello?’ and wander in.

Conversely whenever I went over to his house I’d knock and wait even when he said ‘Oh just come on in! No need to wait!’ No, there is a need to wait.

With family and close friends it’s a normal thing to for us.

That said, it doesn’t happen very often.

So keep the door locked. Surely that’s something you do with a small child? Are you worried they will get out?

People do it to me, because they know my front door is never locked and I'm usually out in the garden. But then they presume the dog losing her shit is enough to warn me there's someone at the door.

On the other hand, I NEVER walk into someone's house. I knock and wait, and I feel most uncomfortable and unnatural if they tell me to just walk in; as though I am committing a dreadful social faux pas.

Lock your front and back doors and then problem solved.

My Mum did this the other day, the difference being we were expecting her, and she knew I was working, so wouldn't have wanted to interrupt me. Your Aunt was rude.