*sigh*
Being a middle kid, I can more than associate.
Unfortunately, I grew up with two sisters, so my information may not sound all that viable to you. Still, I offer it in the hopes that, if nothing else, you may find something adaptable that works just as well for your situation.
1.) The lock idea is a sound one. Keys shouldn't be that expensive to make, and so long as ONLY you have the key, and only you know where it is (tip: keep it on your person, preferably around your neck or something, at all times), it should help to keep your brother out. A simple doorknob replacement with a lock built-in shouldn't be that expensive at your local Menard's/Lowe's/Home Depot/wherever your Housewares shopping needs are best tended to. If your brother is handy with a lockpick, (For a time, one of my sisters seemed to devote her spare time to figuring out my locks and traps--she's looking for a job in security, which makes sense) and you want to keep him out while you're home, one word: Deadbolt. A simple one (sliding bar on the inside of the door, sometimes with an accompanying chain) shouldn't be that expensive, and should also be fairly easy to install.
2.) Have a good old-fashioned sit-down talk with both your parents and your younger brother present. He's 8, which means he SHOULD start having a grasp of privacy. Whether he respects it or not depends on the person. However, set your foot down; if your privacy means that much to you, make sure that EVERYONE knows that. Hopefully, something will get worked out, and arrangements can be made that will further ensure your privacy. Otherwise...get the lock, and lock your door behind you when you leave. If you want to keep him out whenever you're in there, shoot the deadbolt (no, I don't know why the technical term is "shoot", but it's there, so I use it.) and carry on.
Granted, you might want to talk to your parents before installing ANY locks; after all, they DO pay the mortgage (unless they're fortunate enough to already own the house, in which case I'm envious of you), and they technically have a say in what modifications get made to places in their home. If nothing else, it could end spectacularly badly if your parents find themselves "surprised" with a locked door one day when they're trying to reach you.
I know you've already said that your parents don't seem to care that he goes in there, but that's partly what the sit-down is for: give EVERYONE the lay of the land, and see what good you can make of it.
Hopefully, this works for you. Whatever you find yourself doing...good luck.
DiscordantEdit: I'l let it slide just this once, but please don't revive old topics. Next time you do this, your post will get deleted.
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