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.

And 4 years old

This is what I'd do too.

Open? Cold.

Unlocked? Normal.

Our door is unlocked at about 6am and stays unlocked until about midnight unless we all go out.

Give your son a key!
Stitch it on ribbon attached to the inside of his school bag

Same here. It’s always unlocked during the day unless I’m in the shower or having a nap. I don’t understand the absolute hysteria on MN about not barricading yourself into your property during the day. Maybe if you live in a high-crime city centre, but I think it’s overkill for most people.

I would only do this if I was sat right by the door for the 15 min call - like on the stairs facing the front door.

I live in London though! But I do also think leaving your door visibly ajar every day at the same time is asking for trouble - easy enough for someone to spot and do a sneak in burglary. If they got your car keys, it would be bad as I don't think your insurance would cover you if you left your front door open (not just unlocked but actually ajar)

Well, my child would have to wait 15 minutes outside.

There are plenty of ways to keep a key safe in a bag and not loose it. Even my AuADHD child managed and hasn't so far lost her access keycard at uni either.

My door is unlocked from about 7.30am till about 10pm. It will only be locked if I'm going for a shower or upstairs for more than a few minutes. Your son is in secondary now so time for a bit of responsibility. He needs a key and needs to learn to be careful with it. My now 15 year old spent his 1st year of secondary losing every key he got, house, locker, bike lock. Thank God it improved and hasn't lost any since starting 2nd year.

So if the door had been locked and he'd rang the doorbell, and she'd answered the door, he could have done the exact same thing.

Or is this the bit of Mumsnet where people don't answer the door?

Your son needs to use a key, his excuse is ridiculous for a 15 year old. There are plenty of key ring options to attach it to his bag.
Leaving the door open is unsafe and expecting Mummy to always be on beck and call to open a door is pathetic.

I have always had the sort of door that locks behind you anyway so it would be more effort to leave it unlocked but I view it as more - why wouldn't you? There is no downside to keeping your door locked and no real advantage to leaving it open.

The only time our door is unlocked and open is during hot weather when there’s a baby gate allowing our large deeply barking dog to enjoy the cool breeze. And even then we’re within a few metres of said dog.
Either borrow a protective dog/leave the key with NDN on this occasion/give him a key on a cord in his bag/leave him to wait outside till you’re finished/arrange for him to go his friend’s house after school.
There. Five solutions for your DH and DS to consider!

I can’t see an issue if you’re in the house. What is the solution your DH and DS have came up with if they are not happy with it?
And your DS should absolutely take responsibility for carrying a key, he’s at high school, is he normally so risk adverse?

For a start you'd have to unlock it every time you stepped outside, or that cat wanted to go out, or someone rang the doorbell. DD is coming up 6, she can't do the lock so she'd have to ask every time she wanted to go in the front garden. If one of us went out whilst the other was in and they left the key in the lock, we wouldn't be able to unlock it when we got back and would have to ring the bell of our own house and wait. If they didn't leave the key in the lock, there's a 50% chance they'd remember to leave it on the key hook and a 50% chance they'd accidentally wander off with it and forget where they put it, meaning they might actually not be able to get out.

With secondary school comes learning to manage the responsibility that comes with increased independence. That means looking after a key, money, bus pass etc. My DC always kept their house key in a separate zip pocket inside their backpacks that didn't contain anything else, so didn't need to be opened at all at school.

team housekey or wait here

My back and front doors are unlocked all day, even when we nip out. We do live in a rural pretty safe area though. I'd say YANBU as you are at home

The alternative is, your son waits for you to finish your meeting before letting him, in if he's not prepared to carry a key but a key safe may be the way forward

I don’t understand the absolute hysteria on MN about not barricading yourself into your property during the day.

Hyperbole much?

My mother once left her front door open while she was working in a corner of the front garden with her back to the door. Someone walked into the house and nicked the video recorder.

I think it's fine but also I think you should encourage him to carry a key. He will have to at some stage and starting secondary school is the perfect time . Why does he think he will lose it?

he needs to use a key or wait on the doorstep until you have finished your call. A kid in secondary school should be able to manage a key… I am assuming he has a phone which he is not scared about losing!

Give him a key ! It’s so simple.
it’s not safe these days leaving a door unlocked, we’ve had delivery drivers open the door,when someone has left it unlocked.

Our doors are unlocked all day but if you are so worried about it then you need to insist on DS using a key.

Son either carries a key or he waits until
your meeting has finished. Talk about him ruling the place.

I think OP is in the house.

Give him a key. Stick tile tag/air tag etc on it