Any moms out take their boys solo?

[bookgirl]

For those of you that go solo with "older" boys, how/when do YOU go to the restroom? I understand you can stand by the door of the men's restroom waiting on them to come out. But where do you "put" them when YOU have to go into the women's restroom? Even a companion restroom, they can go in and you wait outside the door. But when you need to go in, if they wait outside the door, you can't see them. They could be snatched before you come out.

I am taking my 9 year old nephew solo in April 2008. Last time just the two of us went, he was only 6, and I made him go into the women's restroom with me. We each went in our own stall, side by side stalls if possible, and I made him talk to me every few seconds, or made sure I could see his feet. (I'm more over-protective of him than my sister (his mom), but I don't want to have to tell my sister I lost her kid! )

We've also gone into the companion restrooms when we were other places solo, and we turn and face the wall so each other can "go." But he's getting older and is getting uncomfortable with that. And I'm uncomfortable letting him go in the men's room alone.

What do you do with a 9 year old boy, if he's the only child?

When I was alone with them I went before I left the house or room. If I couldn't wait, I would go into a restroom that was in a resturant. They (or he if there was just one kid) could sit at a table where employees could see anything out of the ordinary. If I had to use a regular restroom I made them stand by a booth or store with an employee nearby to hear any shouts. (they were both very strong willed kids, noone was getting them without a fight)

 

[perdidochas]

We are leaving in 3 weeks to go to DW! My DH and I got talking about the trip and it occured to me that he will not be their to take the boys to the bathroom! My DSs are 9 and 6 and they wouldn't be caught dead going to the girls bathroom with me ( and I really think they are to old anyway)! Is there family restrooms and if not how did you handle it?

There are some family restrooms, but they are uncommon. I have two boys--one age 8 (almost 9) and the other 7. We are now allowing them to go the bathroom together--the buddy system. I wouldn't do it just anywhere, but I think Disney should be safe.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds6 refuses to go into the ladies room with me now. When we are out alone and he needs to go, I stand outside the door and wait for him -- if he's too long, I'll ask someone to check on him. When I need to go, I place him just inside the door and dare him to move. I usually call out to him a couple of times while I'm inside so he knows not to move. If it's a single occupancy, he goes with me.

Dh takes dd3 into the men's room all the time -- I know the time is coming when she starts to notice those at the urinals although he says you really can't see anything as you walk by. He always takes her into the stall with him.

 

[dsneygirl]

There are definitely companion restrooms all over WDW you just have to seek them out. DH and I often used them for our DS this last trip as we could tag team him on diaper changes. Germany in Epcot has one and there were a couple at AK for sure.

 

[NeverlandPixie]

My ds6 refuses to go into the ladies room with me now. When we are out alone and he needs to go, I stand outside the door and wait for him -- if he's too long, I'll ask someone to check on him. When I need to go, I place him just inside the door and dare him to move. I usually call out to him a couple of times while I'm inside so he knows not to move. If it's a single occupancy, he goes with me.

I sooo hear you. I am a single mom of a DS6. I have taken him to WDW solo every year for the last four years. He used to come into the stall with me or wait RIGHT outside the stall door so I could see his feet. This past March, however, OH NO! He was a BIG BOY now ... lol. So, yes, I let him go into the men's alone, but I was right outside that door. If we both had to go, we met at the water fountain right outside the restrooms. There was always some gentleman or other boy around to check on him for me if he was taking a while, and most of the time, someone would overhear us and say, "I'm going in too. I'll keep my eye out." My son and I have had a lot of talks about "stranger danger" and what to do should something happen. Our motto is better safe than sorry.

 

[fakereadhed]

I'm with the OP in thinking that (at least the 9 yo) is too old, especially for someplace "safe" like DisneyWorld. I would send the boys in together and wait outside the door.

"Funny" story about this: As I was walking into the restroom at the movie theater the other day, a man outside looked really worried and asked if I'd check on his 4yo daughter who had gone in there a while ago. I easily found her in there - she was standing at the sink with a confused look on her face. I told her her daddy was outside and asked if something was wrong. She couldn't figure out which was the hot and which was the cold water and didn't want to leave without washing her hands or take the chance of burning herself OR ask a stranger! So...she just stood there. I was realizing how much harder this issue is for fathers, as I would bring a 4yo boy in a women's restroom no problem, but would be unsure whether it's appropriate to bring a 4yo girl into a men's restroom (without the private stalls for everyone).

My DH took the girls in when they were 3 and 4 if he was alone. He just covered their eyes with his hand, led them to the stall, and covered their eyes and led them out again. Then used wet wipes for hand clean up.

 

[LJRJR]

Today I had to go into the "boys" room at our local Swim Club to get my two little guys, they were changing their clothes in the locker and had problems. I knew no one else was in there and I went in there to help them and then we all left very quickly. It is difficult especially when they get older. My DS5 does not want to go into the ladies room with me, but I am still able to tell him that the sign outside says "Family Rest Room", I dont think he will believe me much longer. I would never think anything of a boy inside a ladies room with their mom/aunt/sister, even if they were older, maybe that child cant be left alone to wait, thank goodness everyone here is understanding. To the original poster, if your are comfortable with the area you are in let them go in the mens room, but dont hesitate to go in after them (or shout) if you think there is a problem. Enjoy your trip.

 

[The Three Cabs]

I am a single mom with two boys 9 and 10, I used to make them go into the ladies room or we would go into baby care. On our last trip I figured they were too old to go into the ladies room so I insisted they both had to go into the men's room together while I waited for them. Each time they would go in I would review the rules again such as "neither of you can come out of the bathroom without the other" and "don't move from this spot outside the bathroom door until I get out of the ladies room" and of coarse "scream really really loud if anything happens". I also try to find bathrooms that don't seem too hidden, near a gift shop or in a restaurant where there are enough people around to notice if someone tried to take off with a child. As long as they go in the bathroom with the buddy system I feel safe.