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.

Tell him he's carrying a key whether he likes it or not. Find a way to attach it to his wallet or phone or the inside of his school bag.

I don't lock the door when we're home, so I'd just leave it open. However, it's also completely reasonable to tell your son that he can take a key (with some options for how to keep it safe) or wait outside for 15 minutes. Winter will probably hurry up his willingness to carry a key.

For what it's worth, at that age I carried a key. On the many times I forgot it at home I had to wait outside. No one's fault but mine.

Can you leave it in the snib?

YABU unreasonable to even think this is an issue. Of course just leave the door open. We never lock ours until bedtime. Although he should have a key anyway.

Can some posters really not think of any reason why people might lock their doors whilst they're in their house?

I came out the bathroom a few years back to find a man half way up my stairs. Luckily he made a run for it out the house as soon as he saw me and didn't manage to take anything, but it still shook me up. For most people, your home is your safe space and knowing that someone has been in it is awful.

There were other houses in my street who were also broken into and when we checked door bell footage and CCTV, nobody recognised them, because guess what? It's not necessarily your neighbours who are going to be breaking in. So those comforting themselves with the belief that this could never happen to them as they live in a safe area may be in for a rude awakening one day. The police told us after that a huge number of burglars are opportunists who will just go around trying door handles. Judging by this thread, they wouldn't have far to go until they find one that's unlocked.

Just attach one of these with a house key to his school bag. He won’t be able to lose the key and can still use it whilst attached to the bag. Tbh at secondary school age he should be responsible enough to have a key

https://amzn.eu/d/21dAzpu

sellotape an old credit card, or what ever, cut to the right size over where the locks connects to stop it from locking. Push the door to so it looks like it's shut but really it's unlocked. Obviously you'd need to demonstrate to your son so he knows to just push it open....hope that makes sense

I would leave it open, no concerns at all x

I never have the door locked when I’m at home, unless I go for a shower? You are in, I don’t get it?

Let him wear a key around his neck on a chain or string.

You could just put a key under a stone by the door. Or your DS carries a key and if he's not prepared to do that, then he needs to wait outside the front door until you're meeting is over - and no continually ringing the door bell.

If he's able to catch a bus he can carry a key. Keysafe?

I'm shocked at the number of people leaving their doors unlocked.
do you guys not read/watch any true crime

I’m baffled at the refusing to carry a key thing to be honest. My year DD seems to manage fine.

Goodness where do you live that you are afraid to leave your front door unlocked? We never keep our front door locked during the day and my husband frequently doesn't lock it at night. Doesn't worry me at all.

You and me both @DeedsNotDiddums.

We got a key safe from Amazon for about £10. Works really well.

Same. I only lock it at night.

If you're in the house I can't see why that would be a problem? I only lock my door when I go to bed. If im only nipping out for 10 mins or so I wouldn't look it either.

If it was unlocked but closed, I wouldn't have an issue, but I wouldn't want the door open for 15 minutes (more for pet containment and weather reasons than fear of intruders tbh).

Get a key safe. You don't need to keep the key in there permanently if you're not comfortable with that, just put it in at the point you'd hypothetically open the door.

OP do you know the difference between open and unlocked?

We leave out house door unlocked all day every day and most of the night, in fact it is only locked when we go to bed. Never had a problem in 40 years. If your family are this paranoid get a key-safe.

Put the key somewhere he can find it.

She means open.

Must say, I haven’t really heard of people locking the door during the day when they’re in the house (and awake) until reading this. Maybe I should be doing this but it’s never occurred to me.

It must depend a lot on location but if you think it’s necessary for safety then I think your son having a key is the answer

She said it is actually ajar.
Can you not just walk to let him in during your meeting?? 5 seconds.