2 questions in 1 post

[specialkidsmom]

I have two questions and dont want to make two post even though they are not related. So here it goes:
1. Has anyone used the water misters from walmart? We leave in 1 week and am worried about keeping my ds#2 cool while in the parks. The box states that it cools the air by 30 degrees. He will be in a wheelchair and with all the straps to keep him in and upright it gets really hot. I was wondering if anyone could help on this.

2. At what age is too old for ds#1 to go to the bathroom with me? Only wondering because he is all boy and does not have the best bathroom hygene yet. We are working on it but not touching things he shld not in a public bathroom is just beyond his grasp. KWIM He doesnot like to wash his hands like he shld and I try to take him in with me when possible. Dh will be with us but you know men. They are just"big boys" and not the best with all this either.
Thanks for any help with these 2 ?s

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

sorry I can't answer #1 but for question #2, as soon as DS could use the facilities by himself, we made him go with DH. Tell DH its time to step up.

Hope you have a great trip and can keep DS cool.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I can only answer the second question about the bathroom.... I say let him in untill you feel secure about him going in on his own. I'm SO SO SO glad I only had girls, because I would hate to have to deal with that. I've been in the ladies room with moms bring in their boys, and other women in there give them dirty looks for it, and have even made comments. My theory is, better safe than sorry and mind your own bees wax!!!

 

[specialkidsmom]

I feel that sometimes I am over reacting about him going with DH. However one time we had gone out to eat with friends and DS said he needed to go to the bathroom. I told DH to take him and before DH got into the bathroom with DS he was already in a stall. DH noticed that he was sitting and knowing how I am about him not sitting on the public seat, Dh went into the stall with him. DH noticed that the seat was all wet. DH asked him what happened to the seat and DS told him he WASHED it before he sat down
You can guess how he washed it. Now yall see why it makes me nervous to send him in alone(or at least with out me)

 

[Taja]

Are you talking about misters like the Misty Mate or the misting fans?

Personally, I find the humidity in central Florida unbearable, and anything that adds more humidity isn't useful for me. I use just a $1 fan--talk about cheap! *LOL*

If it isn't too humid during your visit, something like the Misty Mate could make a difference. Probably not 30 degrees, but 10 degrees or so.

 

[SueM in MN]

For the cooling part, quite a few people have posted in the past on the disABILITIES Board about using cooling vests or cooling bandanas. The neck is a part of the body with a lot of blood flow, so using a bandana helps put some cooling right where it will do a lot of good.

You can find them on the web at sites like this one, but you can also find them in places like sporting goods stores or the sporting goods area of stored like Walmart. They contain gel and when you get it wet, it cools you for quite a while. If you do a google search for 'cooling bandana' you'll find a lot.

It's also possible to make one; the water absorbent crystals inside it are from a garden supply store. Here's a site with directions to make your own.

 

[VacationKicks]

1. We've used the mistys from Wal-Mart and they worked ok. When it was really hot the water in the mister got too warm so it was not as effective. If you can keep the water cool it works much better.

2. IMO if your Dh is available he should take your DS to the restroom. DH is an adult and should be capable of keeping your son safe. You could make a rule about holding hands on the way in so your DS doesn't get in first. I know my DD don't feel comfortable when boys are in the restrooms with them. Some doors have cracks and they feel boys will peek at them. (not saying they do, just saying it makes my girls feel uncomfortable.) Also, there are now some family bathrooms so maybe this is an alternative for you.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

I can only answer the second question about the bathroom.... I say let him in untill you feel secure about him going in on his own. I'm SO SO SO glad I only had girls, because I would hate to have to deal with that. I've been in the ladies room with moms bring in their boys, and other women in there give them dirty looks for it, and have even made comments. My theory is, better safe than sorry and mind your own bees wax!!!

ITA!

OP, did I miss how old the son in question is?

I think it's better for a boy to go to the women's restroom than a little girl having to go to the men's restroom. More privacy in the women's room, if you catch my drift. I get nervous when dh takes my 4 year old dd out somewhere, because if she's gotta go I don't want her to see "members" of the opposite sex. Too many questions I'm not prepared to answer yet!

I know I'll be taking my ds to the restroom as long as possible. Too many weirdos out there if daddy wasn't available to go with him to the men's. Don't care what anyone else thinks, I've got to look out for my little ones.