Don't even know if I'm asking AIBU - I don't know what to think! Postman!

[strawberrisc]

I work in education so I am off work at the moment - along with my 13 year old daughter as it's half-term.

We've already been out for the last few days and so we're having a lazy day today before going out tomorrow. Despite stocking up she fancied a sandwhich with the one filling I don't have and I fancied a walk - albeit a 5 minute one. The shop is literally a 5 minute walk from our cul-de-sac.

I didn't lock the door because a) you can't break wind in this road without everyone knowing b) both sets of neighbours are in and b) I worry about locking the door and there being a fire.

I was gone less then 15 minutes. When I came back my daughter shouted, as I came in 'is that you? Someone opened the door and came in'. When I looked the postman had left a parcel in my hallway.

I don't know what to think for a number of reasons.

He's a decent guy and we've chatted on several occasions. He's been on this route for years.

But also: when I'm in work his collegue leaves one of those awful cards where I have to go all the way to the sorting office. However, this postman always leaves parcels in my lean-to between the wheelie bins. Why on earth would today be any different? It's a quite close so why would he even try the door and not leave the parcel in the usual place?

NavyandWhite the 'issue' was that I went against my better judgement thinking that, as a reader of 'AIBU' that I might find out what other people's opinions were regarding somebody opening my front door. Sadly, a few comments aside, I now see why MN has the reputation it does.

We obviously see things very differently. So what if it was 15 minutes? What exactly might happen?

More to the point, the OP was asking about the postman, not a critique on her parenting skills.

We never lock the door when any of us are in the house unless were asleep ... and have you asked dd if he knocked and she took the parcel?

I think a lot of people over react about leaving door unlocked. I've left my keys in the lock on the outside of the front door at various times in most of the places I've lived and no one has ever opened the door and walked in.

Can't see an issue with leaving a 13 year old in the house with the door unlocked for 15 minutes tbh. Postman shouldn't be opening peoples' doors.

I knew you wouldn't :-)
And yes I can see your secure with your priorities, shame your daughter wasn't secure when you left her alone in the house unlocked and a man came in

Hey Navy :-)

OP was gone less than 15 minutes Navy.

I personally wouldn't leave a door unlocked anyway (SE London outskirts) with a teen inside or not. Not so it could be opened anyway.

The postman should have left it as usual but think he was being kind or helpful by leaving it inside. Add to that that he knows you well.

Up to you whether you speak to him or not, I wouldn't.

He was trying to be helpful. However, if you would prefer that he didn't do this, you should politely ask him not to.

Normal in my area for delivery people to just open the door and pop the parcel in if its something that doesn't need signing.

Many of you are really skewing this. The postman should not have come into the house. End of story.

So what do you think might happen in those 15 mins Stef and Navy?

I bet he heard a noise inside. Tried the door because no answer, maybe he wasnt sure if you were ok inside? Perhaps then realised it was your daughter at home and all is well and so just left the package inside the door for you.

I dont see a problem leaving the door unlocked for a 13 year old while you pop out for 15 minutes.

Oh God are you serious? after everything that's been in the news lately about children coming to harm and you want to know what could possibly happen in 15 mins?

A lot could happen in 15 minutes - use your imagination
Too chilling to think about to be honest

No issue with leaving a 13 year old home alone while you went to the shop. I also don't see any issue with what the postman did as ours does the same thing all the time.

Some people act like having an unlocked door is the worst thing imaginable. It's not.

We never lock our door unless going to bed or going out, nor does anyone I know I less they have yales which automatically lock...It's very much the norm to me! Likewise the car is never locked, and has on occasion had the keys left in the ignition overnight.

When I've had my kitchen window before the postman has popped a parcel through the window and left on the windowsill. I was in the garden so didn't hear him knocking. Not sure I would be keen on the door being opened tho. Maybe he thought you were in the shower etc as lights were on and car was outside etc?

I am serious! I think you're being way over dramatic! Sex offenders don't tend to walk down the street trying doors for unaccompanied 13 year olds.

Your average burglar would turn and run.

So what else are you worried about happening?

Do people all keep the door locked when they are in? Good lord- why?

YABU for leaving your door unlocked, especially with your DD home.....always lock your doors! Even when at home.

Most burglaries happen through unlocked doors in the daytime

"Oh God are you serious? after everything that's been in the news lately about children coming to harm and you want to know what could possibly happen in 15 mins?"

What has been in the news lately?

Our old postman used to try all windows until he found one he could slip parcels through, found one on the kitchen side once...Never did quite figure that one out.

I have also been known to leave the door on the latch when just nipping out to pick up DH or similar, so we can just walk back in with our hands full without faffing with keys etc.

Bertrand.....not sure where you live, but in my SE street there have been 9 burglaries in daytime in the last year, one neighbour found two men stealing her laptop having come through the back (unlocked door)