Door locks helped today!

annie51

I had to install some door locks high on the exit doors after DH had an overnight elopement. I usually lock them when we go to bed and unlock them when I get up. He gets up a couple times a night and walks around the house for an hour or more and I can hear him try to open the door, so it gives me peace of mind. But I found a side benefit - DH had removed his pants before coming back to bed and refused to put them on for almost 2 hours after we got up. So I kept the locks engaged until he finally put them on. In the past I would have had to physically stop him from leaving which may or may not have been successful. This way he just got a little frustrated that he couldn’t open the door and I was able to redirect him until he finally complied, although I was prepared for it to escalate more than it did.

wose

Good thinking keeping the locks engaged. We love small victories. I bought some locks but haven’t used them yet. DH is obsessed tonight about losing his front door key and wants to call a locksmith. Thanks for sharing, I’m pretty sure I’ll be needing that tip.

Biggles

Well done Annie its a matter of being one step ahead. I hope you don't mind dut you actually gave me a little chuckle imaginaging the midnight escapade. We have dead locks on front and back door and DH can no longer manage the key which is a relief. I've also just had a lock put onto the front 6’ gate that locks from the inside and also locks from the outside. This means I can take the dog for a quick 20 minute walk knowing that my DH is safe and can't get out. What a job hey!

annie51

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/252905#Comment_252905

@Biggles I never mind if anyone gets a chuckle! It was very stressful when he disappeared but when he was finally found safe it was a big relief. He had never done that before so I didn’t have the locks in place then - I should have because, as you say, one step ahead is how we need to think!