Natalie recently shared a personal story with us, highlighting her concerns about privacy in her own home. It began when her husband gave his mother a key to their house—without asking her first. Natalie was surprised, but she assumed it was only for emergencies. That changed when her mother-in-law started using the key to enter their home without warning.

Natalie writes, “I’d be in the kitchen, and she’d just walk in unannounced. I didn’t even know she was coming!” This lack of privacy left Natalie feeling uncomfortable in her own home, as her mother-in-law seemed to have free reign over their space.

When she raised the issue with her husband, he brushed it off, saying, “It’s just my mom; she’s not a stranger.” However, Natalie felt her boundaries were being crossed, and her requests for prior notice went ignored.

As tension grew, Natalie wondered, “Should I have a say in who has access to our home?” Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of setting boundaries and having open communication in relationships, especially around shared spaces and privacy.