Setting boundaries with family members, like a mother-in-law, can be challenging. One reader had a problem with her MIL, who would show up unexpectedly, using a spare key for emergencies.

After too many surprises, she replaced the key with a fake one. When the truth was revealed to the family, it caused a scene.My MIL requested our spare house key, claiming it was for emergencies. But she used it all the time, almost catching me naked once since I believed I was at home alone.

To avoid her frequent visits, I quietly swapped her key for a phony one. One day, she attempted to enter but was denied, so I claimed to be away. When she summoned a locksmith, she discovered that the key was phony.

The next day, during a family event, she brought up the phony key. I claimed 11 liters is useless for emergencies but ideal for keeping unwanted people out.11 Everyone chuckled, and my mother-in-law got red. Now she won’t talk to me. My husband feels what I did was extremely nasty.