https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:34:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1629786 Mon, 12 May 2014 17:38:20 +0000 ElbieKay 1629786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks to everyone for your input! It sounds like I'm over-thinking this. I will just put the Naked Husband Disclaimer out there for social visits and hope for the best!</p> <p>The entrance to our apartment is actually an elevator -- we live in a low rise that only has one unit per floor, so we share an elevator and can lock/unlock our floor as we come and go. So, unfortunately most of the lock-based suggestions won't work for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1629166 Mon, 12 May 2014 13:36:46 +0000 Boogs 1629166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe you can get one of those types of flipping locks as a just in case? ;) I have keys to other family homes, but I someone is home I always knock and in general I think that's a common practice for most people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1629158 Mon, 12 May 2014 13:33:26 +0000 Dandelion 1629158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both sets of parents just walk in...but that is to avoid making the dogs crazy. They do warn when they are on the way though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1629140 Mon, 12 May 2014 13:28:14 +0000 MrsTiz 1629140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom &amp; MIL have a key to our house just in case. Neither of them are EVER allowed to go into my home using that key unless I ask them to specifically. In emergency situations they have full permission.</p> <p>I told them when I gave it to them that I wanted them to have a key in case there ever was an emergency. In your case I would throw in a joking "Now that doesn't mean you get to come and go all willy nilly, you still have to ring the doorbell like normal guests!" My mom would laugh but still get it loud &amp; clear! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1629139 Mon, 12 May 2014 13:28:07 +0000 LuLu Mom 1629139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both sets of parents have a key, they always knock when they know we are home. they only use it for emergencies or letting our dog out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1629106 Mon, 12 May 2014 13:19:20 +0000 Mommy Finger 1629106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents live about 5-10 minutes away but don't ever just stop by so we're usually expecting them. Usually we'll leave the garage door open so they can walk in. If it's closed, they'll come to the front door and ring the bell. </p> <p>@looch: I always just walk in too so I guess I can't get mad at them for doing it. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628358 Mon, 12 May 2014 09:22:56 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1628358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some of our family has a key and they always knock when we're home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628347 Mon, 12 May 2014 09:21:37 +0000 indi 1628347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: @mrbee: That's what I'd do, too. Give the key to one but not the other, or to keep a security chain over when I'm home just in case someone tries to pop in on their own. None of our folks have the key, though, but I still keep the handle, deadbolt, and chain locks all engaged from the evening until we leave in the morning out of habit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628274 Mon, 12 May 2014 09:02:31 +0000 mrbee 1628274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You could give them just the doorkey but not the deadbolt... that way you could still lock the door. But the nanny wouldn't be able to, since she wouldn't have the deadbolt key either... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628263 Mon, 12 May 2014 08:53:19 +0000 looch 1628263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a keypad and my parents have a code. In case they forget it, our garage opener works on a fingerprint scan and the third person to have the scan is my dad.</p> <p>When we are home, they always knock or ring the bell. But I walk into their house unannounced, now that I think about it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628245 Mon, 12 May 2014 08:47:47 +0000 LBee 1628245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Same. I would just say to ring the bell in scenarios where you know we are home, less you want to potentially get an eyeful. </p> <p>My parents have a key and they always ring the doorbell. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628189 Mon, 12 May 2014 08:28:58 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1628189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents would get it. They have no interest in seeing my husband half dressed! </p> <p>Maybe mention it to them the first time they are coming over for a social visit, like Husband is running late getting ready, please make sure to buzz when you get here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628166 Mon, 12 May 2014 08:21:01 +0000 blackbird 1628166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would explain when the key is to be used. My MIL has a key, but never just walks right in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628139 Mon, 12 May 2014 08:10:55 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1628139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When you give them the key I would just explain it's to be used when they are sitting or just emergencies. And then, I would make sure both locks are on your door when they come over when you are home. The one they have access to by key and your deadbolt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628110 Mon, 12 May 2014 07:54:27 +0000 Cherrybee 1628110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love @kjpugs: advice. It just sounds so natural.... yeah, that's the best way to go. </p> <p>We have a UPVC door that you can just open (if it's unlocked) and my inlaws totally barge in whenever they visit us. They knock then immediately open the door, shouting "hello, can we come in" (as they walk in). If i want to stop it for whatever reason (they have keys), I just leave my key in the locked door so they can't get their key in! Is there any way you can lock the door from the inside? Like a security chain or a bolt? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628104 Mon, 12 May 2014 07:52:12 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 1628104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom has a key (but loves 3 hours away!) but she has ony used it when she arrived and we weren't at the house</p> <p>Maybe just tell them that you're often scrambling and in various states of undress so they should knock? Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628100 Mon, 12 May 2014 07:51:08 +0000 wonderstruck 1628100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You know your parents better than us! My mom is kind of in the habit of letting herself in from the days when she would come over to help early in the mornings in the newborn/c-section recovery/morning sickness while taking care of a toddler days, when I did not feel like getting up and answering the door. But if it was locked she would definitely knock, even if she had a key to use.</p> <p>My MIL did not get a key when we moved because she feels free to let herself in anytime, regardless of whether or not we are home or expecting her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628086 Mon, 12 May 2014 07:43:17 +0000 Sunshine1810 1628086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents have a key. We haven't really talked about it, but they always knock when we are home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628083 Mon, 12 May 2014 07:41:34 +0000 kjpugs 1628083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree, I don't think my mom for example, would assume the key is carte blanche (no idea if I spelled that right) to just come in whenever. Maybe when you give them the key say "Oh, and I"m sure this goes without saying, but for times you guys come over for meals, etc, if you don't mind ringing the bell? Sometimes we're struggling to get ready at the last minute so it's helpful if you ring as a warning!" Make it kind of like it's funny and obvious. Unless they're meddle-y people, I think it should be fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628080 Mon, 12 May 2014 07:37:44 +0000 ElbieKay 1628080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: I am assuming. I don't know this to be their behavior. Maybe I don't have anything to worry about. Hmmm, that would be great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628074 Mon, 12 May 2014 07:34:16 +0000 Mamaof2 1628074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I gave my mom a key and if we are home she always knocks - it wasn't ever discussed, she just does.</p> <p>Are you assuming they will let themselves in or you know this to be their behavior?</p> <p>You could always say "here is a key just in case the nanny doesn't answer the door when you knock" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/grandparents-amp-keys#post-1628067 Mon, 12 May 2014 07:31:21 +0000 ElbieKay 1628067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents are going to watch my son for two afternoons per week when I go back to work. We are hiring a nanny to cover the remaining three full days and two mornings.</p> <p>Obviously, we will have to give keys to our condo to my parents. That's fine. But I would prefer that they NOT use their keys if they come for a social visit. I want them to ring the buzzer.</p> <p>The reason for this is that we are often scrambling to get ready at the last minute when we host. Often we do a lot of last minute cleaning, and then we only have a few minutes to finish getting dressed. And since we live in an apartment with an open floorplan we are not always, uh, presentable, until that last moment.</p> <p>My parents often arrive early. I just don't want them walking in on us half-dressed with no warning.</p> <p>Is there a polite way to ask them to only use the key when they are coming to relieve the nanny? Or am I stuck with parents who will be able to barge in at any time? </p>