ranty - they refuse to knock!

Sorry if my incredibly foul mood shows.  To set the scene - Ella's been going through a horrible phase for the last couple of weeks - if she's at home, she's crying.  If she's not crying and clinging to me, she's emptying every cupboard and draw she can, shifting furniture, and generally grumping away, all while saying "no" a lot.  And I get her all to myself every day, except when I'm at work for those few hours.  So I'm in the middle of telling her off for about the 30th time this morning, as she's climbing over top of my dresser again while I'm spending 20mins just trying to get my hair dry and clothes on.  OK so the telling-off isn't pretty, and then I hear my FIL  IN  the house.  I'm wearing undies, bedroom door wide open (right next to the front door).  I scream, he yells that it's OK 'cause he's just popped in to get his glasses.  By the tone, I think he might have realised why I'd screamed.  Great. 

Thing is - MIL and SIL don't knock - we don't know they've arrived until they step into the lounge.  SIL walked right in to me fresh out of the shower - again, naked.  FIL sometimes calls out - pity today wasn't one of those days.  BIL once just tried to open the door late in the evening, no knocking at all, while we were... ahem.  We also have neighbours who don't knock or call out, just walk in, and again, you don't know they're here until they're in the middle of the house.  I've told people to knock - even kept the front door locked one winter to make them do it.  Obviously it's not working so I need a door sign.  How to word it so it'll get the message through but not be too angry?  'cause let's face it, I'm plain angry about the whole thing so anything I write will come across just so. 

hmmmm, in winter I'm cool with doing that.  Thing is, one season of a locked door didn't learn them any.  In fact a couple of people complained about the locked door, even after I'd told them I had this need for privacy in my home.  We do leave the front door open a lot when it's hot, to get air flow through the house.  The deck it kid-proofed off, and Ella loves playing out there. 

Get a screen door, and keep it locked year round

I like the second one GandT. Clear and to the point!

Argh! That would drive me absolutely nuts!
My inlaws try to do the same but thankfully our door is locked 99% of the time. It still pisses me off when I hear them trying the door handle anyway, because it is SO rude to just walk into someone's house no matter how well you know them!
I think I'd have to say something, even if I risked offending them. Otherwise you can't relax in your own home for fear that someone is going to burst in on you.
I like Deb's second sign too, but if that is too blatant for the inlaws maybe just something like "PLEASE knock before you come in"

gemsmum wrote: I like the second one GandT. Clear and to the point!

I like the second one too!

That is just so rude of them! It would drive me batty. I generally don't mind people dropping in unannounced either but people dropping in unannounced AND not knocking? No way!!

When I had Hannah I told my MIL that if my front door was locked, to try the back door cause I'd leave it unlocked only for her and the mw. But I might be sleeping.

So one day she and FIL and two unruly foster kids all come in my back door - thankfully I was up, the front door was even unlocked but they didn't think to try it! - after the door closed behind them (them inside) I heard her say Shhhh I just have to see if she's asleep *rolls eyes* Some ppl don't get it - I'd be mad too!!!

I have my backdoor unlocked and open at all times while i'm home. Admitedly I dont have kiddies yet, so it's not a big issue, but I guess i'm lucky where if someone comes down the drive, the dogs go mental and I know they're there before they get to the gate and into the back yard. I dont mind my family barging straight in - I guess i'm just that type of person? I dunno.. I'd be saying to your family to sort themselves out - make an offensive sign - if they complain, tell them to blardy well knock :D My offensive doormat at the front door does a good job like that - actually I must go move it, FIL is on his way over and will die when he sees it! haha

If I go to friends houses or my mums or dads houses I knock then walk in.. but people knock at my house most of the time due to having the door locked because of a certain escaping 3yr old lol

Lol, are you considering having anotherbubba? If so, maybe mention youa re ttc and would prefer they knocked in case they caught you at a fertile time?