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Original poster

Locks on Doors in the Home

17 replies

2teenmum · 15/08/2010 17:46

Do people have locks on their bedroom doors in the family home? My 18 year old has just had a lock put on her door (her boyfriend's father did this without asking me!) to stop her 15-year old sister 'stealing' her things.

Is this normal? What would you do?

OP posts:
innocuousnamechange · 15/08/2010 17:50

Her boyfriends father put a lock on a door in your home???
I would take it off immediately and tell him to stay out tbh. It's perfectly obvious to me why an 18 year old with a bf would want a lock on her door, and it's got nothing to do with stuff beign stolen Hmm

Original poster
2teenmum · 15/08/2010 17:57

Yes - well, she told the boyfriend's father that I had given her permission. So I have given her until the end of the week to get rid of the lock. If not, I will have to have the door removed!

But now I'm feeling guilty (as usual) and wanted to check to see whether I was being too harsh. Hence the question about whether other people have locks on their doors in the home!

OP posts:
AMumInScotland · 15/08/2010 17:57

No, I don't think it's normal - does the 15 yo really steal things? If so, then you need to sort out her behaviour. But, I certainly wouldn't let someone come into my house and fit a lock - that's really cheeky of him. I would remove it immediately, and tell her if she wants her privacy that much she can move out and get her own place.

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noteventhebestdrummer · 15/08/2010 18:08

It's rude of the BF's father to do this without checking with you in person but I do have some sympathy with your DD.

Siblings are not always respectful of property and it is hard to police 24/7.

We don't have door locks but we do have cupboards with locks for alcohol and things like passports/car keys/valuables.

ethelina · 15/08/2010 18:10

I had a lock on my bedroom door as a teenager, mainly to stop my younger brothers going in and rooting through my things when I was out. I seem to remember my older sister having one to stop me doing the same thing. This was back in the eighties. My parents were fine with it, all they asked was that they had a key in case we lost them.

I dont remember it being such a strange thing to do, some of my friends had locks for similar reasons, some of them had been used to locking their doors from an early age.

The only odd thing I can see is that the boyfriends father thought it would be ok to do without consulting mum first. That certainly sounds bizarre.

usualsuspect · 15/08/2010 18:14

I think its a bit cheeky of her to get her boyfriends dad to put the lock on ..but I can understand an 18 year old wanting privacy

PfftTheMagicDragon · 15/08/2010 18:24

I understand why she wants the privacy but aside from the VERY BIZARRE issue with some strange man doing DIY in your home, a desire for privacy gives them the useful incentive to get their own place.

bunjies · 15/08/2010 18:25

We have a lock on our bedroom door to stop unwanted visitors at inopportune moments Grin. I don't think it unreasonable for an 18 year old to have a lock but do think it odd and downright cheeky her bf's dad installed it Shock.

izzybiz · 15/08/2010 18:39

My teenage Ds had a lock on the outside of his door at the top to stop his little sister going in there when he was out.
No need for locks on the inside in this house!

Mind you, I have considered one on the inside of mine and Dh's door [Grin]

maryz · 15/08/2010 18:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Manda25 · 17/08/2010 09:09

I have a 19 yr old and a 7 yr old. If the 19 yr old wanted a lock he could have one - dont see a problem with it at all.

Goblinchild · 17/08/2010 09:43

My daughter had a hook and eye on the outside of her door to stop her little brother getting in and messing with her stuff.
We also have a hook and eye on the bathroom door, locked for privacy but you could get through it without difficulty if there was a problem.
Your daughter should have asked you first if she could have a lock, and explained why she thought it necessary.

ShinyAndNew · 17/08/2010 09:46

I have a lock on my bedroom door to stop my dds stealing and ruining my make up and expensive creams.

When dd1 is older she will be allowed to have a lock on her door (on the outside only for when she is not in the room) to prevent dd2 from stealing her things. I am the eldest of three girls, I know how annoying it is when you go to put on your best lippy/fave top only to find your sister has taken it without permission.

Although I'd pissed off with the boyfriends father in this case.

TheHeathenOfSuburbia · 17/08/2010 11:03

2teenmum- is the lock on the inside or the outside?

Original poster
2teenmum · 19/08/2010 06:50

Locks on the outside!

OP posts:
Original poster
2teenmum · 19/08/2010 18:19

oh and on the inside - it is a key lock enables both.

OP posts:
suzikettles · 19/08/2010 18:23

I'd be find about an 18yr old having a lock to keep out a pesky younger sibling, but I'd insist on having a key.

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