They had left their Calton Hill home for about an hour and a-half last July for a family trip to the library.
When they returned, they discovered someone had broken into the house.
Items such as a speaker and cellphone were taken, and drawers and jewellery boxes were rifled through.
"Someone being in your safe space like that is just awful," she said.
Hers was one of 1310 unlawful entry incidents in Otago last year.
She did not have contents insurance at the time, but had since got it.
She believed the house was being scoped out by the offender, as they broke in during the short window the family was out.
"It’s frightening, really."
She reported the break-in to police, who came out the next day and searched for fingerprints.
But nobody had been caught for the crime, she said.
She lied to her two children and said someone had been caught, just so they could sleep at night.
"It was awful. I felt like we were being watched for a long time afterwards.
"It’s just that feeling of violation."
