To think it's ok to leave the door open for 15 minutes each weekday?

[ILoveMyGonk]

DS started secondary school this year and comes home himself on the bus. I'm at home working at my computer. Generally, when he gets home, he rings the doorbell and I go open the door for him. However, I now have a 15 minute on-camera meeting that exactly coincides with when he gets home, and obviously it gives a terrible impression if I need to leave during the meeting, even though it's only for a minute.

I want to leave the door unlocked, so he can just come in. (It also would need to be open just slightly, the way the lock works.)

DS and DH both think this is way too unsafe and refuse. DS is also refusing to carry a key, as he is afraid of losing it.

AIBU to think it's okay to leave the door open? It's broad daylight, not a terribly crime-ridden area, and only 15 minutes. We even live opposite a primary school, and it's very busy that time of day. I can even see the path leading up to the door from where I'm working, though I'm not sure I could actually get to the door in time to close it if I saw someone concerning approaching.

OP’s door has to be slightly open not just unlocked. Would you be ok with that?

I had a friend who used to say that - until one day someone slipped through the front door and stole her handbag while she was watching TV. I'm sure there are places where burglaries don't happen and maybe you live in one of them, but most people don't.

It's London - nobody leaves doors unlocked there, you'd be mad to. When I lived there I saw my door handle moving a couple of times - just some crook going around trying them all. And not in a bad area. It's not a question of being frightened - I was never frightened to live alone where I did - it's just what you do, automatically, like locking your car when you park it and walk away. Her teen needs to get used to it and have a key.

Well, there isn't much motivation for your ds or dh to shift as they aren't being affected.

It's ridiculous for you to leave a work meeting everyday. It impacts how professional you look. That shouldn't be an option for even one more day.

I'd say your ds carries a key or waits outside until your meeting finishes, his choice. And stern words with your dh about saying careless things in front of your ds that stress and upset him!

I would tell my ds to wait outside 15 mins if they dont want to carry a key. I would hope it motivated them to take key but if they prefer to wait then thats fine. Walk a bit slower, or pop to a shop on way home.

I would be fine leaving door unlocked but not ajar.

Get a key safe. All of the elderly service users, I care for have them. Look on Amazon. They're not expensive 💕

Change the lock for one with a thumb latch on the inside. The the door can be shut but unlocked.
It has the advantage of not leaving you locked out if it blows shut or swings to whilst you are out front.

I despaired of my neighbours and their kids who were alway locking themselves out accidentally because their door locked if it was shut.

Ah now 😂😂😂 do you still wipe his bum aswell fgs ..tell him he has to bring a key and that's just it..stop pandering to these bloody kids all the time..you're at work,not just sat at home not wanting to answer the door to him..how is he going to manage in the real world 🙄

https://amzn.eu/d/gvFBhfu

Well it depends where you live but our door is nearly always open, only pushed to. It’s an absolute pain in the arse to faf around with keys all the time with people always coming in and out and also it means delivery people can just leave stuff in the porch.

what do they think is going to happen in those 15 mins??

Both my front and back doors are always unlocked when people are home

Key on a string/ribbon attached to the inside of his schoolbag. I have one in every single bag I own, because I lose everything all the time.

Also your husband needs help for his anxiety as it's impacting all of you.

Do people really lock their doors if they inside during the day?

The ones which are approved are not that cheap.

Okay, I was just making the point.

You all lock your doors? When you're in the actual house? WTF? Where are you all living???

Looks like it... I'm speechless....

They are also ridiculously insecure.

He should have a key and if he loses it, he has to wait on the doorstep until you’re finished. I wouldn’t leave my door ajar. Unlocked for 15 when in the house, whatever but not open.

Another vote for giving him a key and if he refuses then he'll need to wait outside for 15 minutes. I'm sure it'll only take a couple of days of waiting outside in the freezing rain for him to agree to take a key

I live in a very small town where not much happens. I still came out of my bathroom one day to find a strange man halfway up my stairs...

The police thought it was an opportunist who was in the area trying door handles. If you regularly leave your doors unlocked, let's just hope they don't pay your area a visit next...

Well I've lived here on and off for 56 years...I'm not gonna start locking myself in now. Do people not have gates?
Anyway... by the time they'd got past 3 dogs I'd be aware....

Well, it took a lot less than 15 mins for someone to slip through my friend’s unlocked door and steal her handbag then car, all while my friend was at home with her toddler daughter.

Agree that he needs a key.

I live in London. I have always lived in cities. Of course I lock my doors at all times.

I really don't find it a particular challenge to do so.

ILoveMyGonk …. change the time of the meeting to just after you’ve sat down from admitting child?