Oh, no I just thought about something else to worry about!

[Tuffcookie]

I will be at FW the first week in April with youngest DS, age 9. I am a single mom and I do not like the idea of sending him into the men's restroom or shower alone. Will it be okay to have him go in the ladies restroom and shower. I mean, they do have doors and curtains, don't they? TC

 

[lisapooh]

I'll be honest with you. I would not want to be in there with your son and you. Sorry but 9 is too old to be in a ladies shower room doors and curtains not withstanding. I don't go into the restroom after my male students and I wouldn't want them in the girls room with the female students. And I certainly would not want them there with my daughters.
These are not family restrooms but male and female.

Pooh

 

[mum4jenn]

The best thing for you to do is to get to the showers when it is not busy. The showers do have curtains and doors for dressing and showering in private but there are still people that will walk around without any clothes AND others that will not be comfortable with a 9 year old in their shower.The FW area is full of nice people and your son should be fine using the mens area without any problem.Again I would scope out the slow times (afternoons) when there is no one else using the showers and then make your decision.

Leesburg,GA

 

[Rhonda]

Many times there are women walking around in just towels, etc before or after showering, so I don't think it would be very good to have a 9-year-old boy in there. I know it would make me uncomfortable.

As far as worrying about him in the showers alone, I'm sure he'll be fine. In the mornings, there are many people using the comfort stations for showering, etc, so you wouldn't have to worry about him being alone with just one other person. There are usually dads & kids in there.

- Rhonda
Camping Board Co-Moderator
rhonda@wdwinfo.com

 

[Tuffcookie]

After reading your replies I am going to rethink my stand on this issue. I realize I can not take him to the ladies room forever. Perhaps I can stand outside the men's shower room and yell in to him every now and then! TC

 

[Kermit]

I agree with Rhonda that it would be better for him to go in alone during the busy times, not the quiet times. There is almost no chance that anything actually would happen to him, but the chance is even less when there is more than one other man in the restroom. Who's going to try something when there are other men around watching?

I know it's hard not to worry, but he will be fine. If anyone was going to go to WDW to something like that, they would hang out in a park, not FW.

<img height=100 width=100 src=http://www.muppets.com/images/kermithead.gif>

 

[TwinMommy]

I know my daughter, who is 10 would be totally embarrassed if she saw a 9 year old boy in the shower area.

I have had to discuss many things with Kaitlin that I wish I didn't have to. Like not getting in stranger's cars; like yelling NO if anyone touches her inappropriately; like the best place to kick a man if you are trying to struggle and get away from him (!). Isn't it a shame that we have to worry about having these discussions? I have been talking to her about "bad" people since she was at least 8 1/2. I want her to be prepared and would never forgive myself if I had tried to shield her and she was abducted/molested. She knows that most people are good people but she is ready if she runs into the other kind. I also don't feel these discussions have soured her on meeting new people.

If you discuss your fears about perverted strangers with your son and tell him to yell NO!! if anyone ever tries to touch him inappropriately, then you should feel better about letting him shower alone with you outside the bathroom door. If you don't hear anything, then you know he's fine. Calling in the door every few minutes would only embarrass him. Tell him he must be out in 15 minutes and give him a waterproof watch to wear. (my daughter tends to loose track of time!) He will feel very grown up knowing that you trust him.

 

[shirleyb]

I think 9 is way too old to take in a woman's shower or bathroom, but I understand your fears, since I have a 9 year old and an 11 year old. I know my two sons would be mortified if I tried to drag them in with me. Of course they are both over 5 foot and look like teenagers, so I'm sure the women wouldn't be too thrilled either! I'm lucky though, since I can send them together if their dad isn't around.

I do feel there is safety in numbers, so it might be better to take him during the busiest times, when there will be lots of people there using the facilities.

Is there a possibility you could take along a friend or a cousin that he might be able to pal around with? That would probably make you feel better too

Shirley

CBR Jan 2000
Next Trip Jan 2002 Where to stay?

 

[TinkerbellRules]

I definitely can understand where both sides are coming from on this issue. I have a daughter and I hate it when my DH has to take her to the bathroom because no one is in there with her (womens). Most likely, nothing will happen in the womens, but I wouldn't feel as safe if I were in your circumstances. I think everyone needs to be more understanding about the safety of the child, but I certainly would agree my DD wouldn't understand why a little boy would be in the womens shower area. She's actually seen little boys with their moms in bathrooms and asked why they are there. I tell her for the same reason I go to the bathroom with her (she's 9). I don't feel it's safe alone. But this is also a shower area as well. It is also at the campground and I found everyone there nice, but that doesn't necessarily mean nothing could happen. I certainly don't mean to scare anyone, but I recall a little boy being molested in a McDonalds restroom. It only took seconds. I feel for everyone in this situation and I don't know what I'd do. Maybe they should have one bath area that is a family one. I do think going during busy times would make you and him feel safer instead of not so busy times. How about a waterproof two-way radio that he could leave on while he showers? You could stand outside during his shower (couldn't be that long). I think that would probably be the best idea I can think of. Plus you'd have it in case he got lost. If you can't find a waterproof one, how about putting it in a ziplock baggie? Maybe you could enlist a dad to help you in the situation as well.

Good luck and let us know what you decide. YOu sound like me. I worry about everything!

Been there, done that, going back!

Check my site: http://www.geocities.com/tinkerbellwdw2000/

Off-site 87, 88
All Star Music 97
All Star Music 98
All Star Movies 99
Ft Wilderness Oct 00
BWV/WLV Oct 01

[This message was edited by TinkerbellRules on 02-15-01 at 01:55 PM.]

 

[shirleyb]

Tinkerbell-
That is a great idea about getting waterproof 2 way radios! I don't know if they have such a thing (although as popular as they are these days they ought to), but it would really provide peace of mind.

Thanks!

Shirley

CBR Jan 2000
Next Trip Jan 2002 Where to stay?

 

[Mic]

Do 9-year-old boys take baths? My 8-year-old son hates to, and is in and out of the shower in 1 minute flat! Would you be interested in taking him with you?(LOL) He has his own annual pass! Honestly, I think your son would be embarrassed to go into a ladies shower. If I were you, I would make a big deal out of packing his own shower kit(shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc.)and wait outside the men's shower for him. The 2-way radio idea sounds great(we have Cobras that are waterproof)or a watch. You may even meet up with a family with a son the same age as yours, and maybe they could shower at the same time. And you could always do what I do when I am standing outside the men's room waiting on ds...ask someone who is coming out if they would kindly check on your son. Most people understand.

 

[jenbren]

They do make waterproof two-way radios and they also make waterproof cases to put non-waterproof radios in so either would be a good option. If you can't find the waterproof ones in an electronics store, try a sporting goods or boating store. I've seen them in all of the above. They are more expensive though...around $80 a piece and up. Good luck!

 

[nntucket]

If you are really worried about this, have your son take an outdoor shower at the pool.

 

[Tuffcookie]

NNtucket, I like your suggestion! Thanks for your response! TC, with only 3 days to go!