Anonymous wrote:Yes, they live 25 min away. They’re super respectful of boundaries and have never used it. They don’t show up unannounced, though it would be totally acceptable for them to do so. We also have a key to their house, which has been used when picking stuff up. My parents don’t have a key, but they’re a 10 hour drive away. They’re more likely to show up unannounced (or call when they’re already driving up). I don’t have a key to their house - they routinely change the locks when their kids get keys to their house. They have positive relationships with their kids, but they think it’s their house, not ours.

This part is weird. How would their kid get a key to their house without them knowing about it?

Yes, but they live 4 hours away and frequently arrive mid-day so as to avoid traffic. We always know they're coming.

Yes. My parents, ILs, SIL, and BIL, all have a key. Sometimes SIL or BIL will work from our home while we're at work. NBD. I wouldn't put it past ILs to come by unannounced when SIL or BIL are here though.

No, but she lives in FL. My parents (2 hours away) use the outdoor hidden one if they arrive before we get home before work.
My local sister has one and my neighbor does too.

My mom does.
She babysits our DC all the time, and she also watches our pet when we travel. She is also able to take in mail and deliveries if we are away, and often, she will come over and clean for is while we are out of town (we don't ask her to do this, she just likes to help out)

She is a lifesaver, I don't know what we would do without her.

Yes. It is very convenient if we need to stay overnight somewhere and we have a dog at home.

Well, yes, of course! They are family and we like them and they like us.

The real reason for the extra keys is for emergencies and convenience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes - but they’re all the kind of people who wouldn’t lose it/misuse it. Totally understand not sharing keys when there are boundary issues.

Same. My inlaws have keys and I'm fine with it.

Same here too. My mom has one and BIL has one too.

I don't think so.
Oh, I just asked my husband - he says no but when they are staying with us he pointed out that THEN we give them a set of keys so they can get in and out as they want.

Yes, they live 25 min away. They’re super respectful of boundaries and have never used it. They don’t show up unannounced, though it would be totally acceptable for them to do so. We also have a key to their house, which has been used when picking stuff up. My parents don’t have a key, but they’re a 10 hour drive away. They’re more likely to show up unannounced (or call when they’re already driving up). I don’t have a key to their house - they routinely change the locks when their kids get keys to their house. They have positive relationships with their kids, but they think it’s their house, not ours.

Anonymous wrote:JFC, NO! My dad didn't when we lived near him, and my MIL most certainly does not even though she is "only" 2 hours away. And she's asked. I'd sooner give Pol Pot the keys to my house.

I can relate. Not sure what I would have said if asked though. What did you say?

Yes. They live 20 mins away. They have rescued our locked out children, picked up things we leave for them (FIL recently stopped for my suitcase then picked me up at work and drive me to the airport) etc but they’ve never used it without permission.

JFC, NO! My dad didn't when we lived near him, and my MIL most certainly does not even though she is "only" 2 hours away. And she's asked. I'd sooner give Pol Pot the keys to my house.

Anonymous wrote:We have a keypad. All family is local. My ILs, my parents and my brother and sister all know the code. Sometimes they come over, borrow a tool or something, maybe get our dog, drop their dogs off. Sometimes my momnor MIL wants so borrow some specialty pan or kitchen appliance.

NBD.

Same.

We have a keypad. All family is local. My ILs, my parents and my brother and sister all know the code. Sometimes they come over, borrow a tool or something, maybe get our dog, drop their dogs off. Sometimes my momnor MIL wants so borrow some specialty pan or kitchen appliance.

NBD.