Em - you poor thing. Honestly - I think the only thing you can do is be blunt with her. Sit her down and tell her everything you just told us. Tell her that you need time for just you and Charlie to get yourselves together, that the key was for emergencies only and it's rude for her just to let herself in every single day. But tell her that you still want to go for your walks together. Sounds like everything you say goes in one ear and out the other so by telling her face to face the message might get through. Maybe try and set a time for your walks for the afternoons and sick to your guns for that time. If she rings you can always make up an excuse and say you are going out but really stay home (I do that with my MIL - hehehe!!). I think you just got to come out with it. My MIL is the most annoying person and usually hurts my feelings so I've decided to come out with whatever I think - especially when it involves me, Ken, Danielle or my weight - as it's my family/me and I'm sure I know my family/me better than she does. I know this may sound harsh but I think it's the only way to get through to people somtimes. Let us know how you go and what you decide to do about it. Hugs to you Em.