Bathrooms?

[PixIeTwInKle]

I just wanted to know how everyone felt about taking little ones to the bathroom? My mother and I are taking my nephew in about 3 weeks and he's 5. Do you think we should let him go in the boys restroom alone with one of us right outside or do you think its okay to take him into the women's room. Often times he hates to do this because he says "but i'm not a girl I can't go in there" Just would like a few opinions on the subject. TIA!!

 

[mhingher]

I don't have any kids, but I have nephews and a niece. I would say bring him in the ladies room. My one nephew is 5 and my sister does that unless a male is around to take him in the men's room.

 

[MidNite]

I wouldn't let him go alone. If you can find the family restrooms use those. If not, just cover his eyes with your hands (if it comes to that) and take him in. There's not alot to see in a women's bathroom because they all have stall doors.

 

[Feralpeg]

Take him into the ladies room with you. I see little boys in the ladies room all the time at WDW. It isn't a problem.

 

[kfeuer]

There was a huge thread about this on the family board recently...hope this doesn't turn into another debate.

Everybody has their own comfort levels, but I have a 5-year old DS and there's no way I'd send him into the men's room alone. He mostly went with DH on our past trip, but I also took him into the ladies room with me some of the time. Other moms will understand, and it's not like they're seeing anything anyway.

 

[ciera321]

I definately agree, take him in with you. Better safe than sorry...

 

[qtwns]

Disney is a family place and there shouldn't be a single person there who wouldn't understand why a 5 yr.old boy was in the ladies' room. Your 5 yr. old may balk at it, but so did mine. Some things are just too important to care what a 5 yr. old little boy thinks. I tell mine "Well, ok, if you don't want to go in the Women's room with me you'll have to hold it until you do."

My 9 yr. old is a different matter, but I feel like there are enough good people in the men's room at Disney that my DS would be fine. However, if dear hubby isn't nearby to go with him, I stand right at the entrance and would not be above announcing that I'm coming in with a "Hug the wall, men!" and march right in if I felt there was a problem. (I can talk big, b/c I really don't think there would ever be a problem but you don't mess with this momma bear's cubs!)

 

[Wendy31]

If DH is w/ us, DH will take our 4 year old little boy w/ him to the men's room. However, if I'm by myself, I take him w/ me into the ladies' restroom.

 

[lorli]

Take him in the ladies room with you. I would not let a child of that age out of sight even to use the bathroom, error on the side of caution.

 

[Tegra89]

I wouldn't let him go alone. Take him into the ladies restroom with you. I have a 10 yr old and I don't really like him to go by himself. Usually when I have both my boys (10yr and 5 yr) together, we do what we call in scouting the buddy system. They both go to the bathroom together and don't leave without the other one. Plus when they do that I stand outside the restroom and what for them. I also tell them that taking too long will result in a frantic mom coming into the restroom and embarrassing them to death! LOL!

 

[PixIeTwInKle]

Wow!! Thanks so much for all of the advice, and that really does seem better to just take him into the womens restroom instead of risking his safety!!! Thanks All!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

If your child is small enough that s/he cannot reach the washbasin faucets without touching the vanity and sinks with sleeves or body, s/he should not go in the rest room alone.

You don't want your child getting dirty water sloshed on the vanity all over him/her.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[WillCAD]

The answer to this question is different for every kid.

Some kids are smart enough and mature enough to go into a bathroom alone at 5. Others are not.

Each parent needs to look at their kids carefully enough to know whether the kid can handle the bathrooms alone.

seashoreCM also brings up an important point - although most of the Disney bathrooms do have at least one sink that is lower than the rest to accomodate people in wheelchairs and ECVs.

 

[loriandmatt]

at 5, no i wouldn't let him go into the mens room alone. i would take him in the ladies room. at around 7, 8, 9...depending on the child, i would start letting him use the mens room alone, with me standing outside the entrance. (and given him instructions to kick, scream and run if anyone grabs him - and not to talk to anyone.)

A KEY POINT IF YOU ARE TAKING HIM IN THE LADIES ROOM: Parents, please teach your kids that it is very impolite and not tolerated to peep thru the cracks in the stalls or under the stalls at other folks. this goes for boys or girls in the ladies room.

If you or you mom feel at all strange about taking him in the ladies room, you could always use one of the many companion/family restrooms they have there. you can find them marked on the park maps. big enough for all of you.

- lori

 

[tweedlewtwinsmama]

I have 6 year old twin boys and I do not allow them to go into a bathroom alone.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you or you mom feel at all strange about taking him in the ladies room, you could always use one of the many companion/family restrooms they have there. you can find them marked on the park maps. big enough for all of you.

- lori

The Companion Restrooms are not marked on the park maps. The only place they are listed is the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities.
Also, because they are Companion Restrooms (not Family Restrooms), they have raised seat toilets (higher than regular toilets).

 

[dbarker]

I take DS7 in the Ladies' room w/ me. Yes, he balks. He states he is not a girl. My answer: No, you are not a girl. But, I am. I also tell him that it is for Mommies and children.

 

[jcriket]

Being a dad, and having Two girls I had a difficult time, and when they got old enough (6 or 7) I would nervouslly stand outside the ladie's room and wait. Girls can sure take their time in the bathroom, let me tell you. So if I ever see a mom standing outside the bathroom door, and a little guy is in there I usually let mom know on my way out that he's ok. They seem glad for the information. Mine are 15 and 17 now and I still wait outside, mostly now just to be a nice guy.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I know how hard it is to let a boy go into the bathroom alone. Many times I stood outside the door nervously. I didn't (and don't) think boys that age belonged in the Ladies' room, but was worried about my baby alone in the restroom. I wasn't so much worried about anything happening to him as I was that he'd get confused or something. I sent him in, but it wasn't easy for me.

I love the idea of the companion rooms! That way he doesn't have to use the Ladies' room, you don't have to worry, and nobody else is made to feel uncomfortable!

You moms with young kids have it so easy today, with companion rooms and such. When I had young kids, you had to haul them up a mountain, in the snow, barefoot to get them to the bathroom.

 

[dumby]

I have a 5-year-old son and he WILL NOT GO to the mens room by himself. I do not think it is safe and some of the restrooms have to entrances/exits. He might go out the wrong door and get confused and lost. He does not like it most of the time but he just is not old enough at 5 to go by himself. I have a 15 and 17 year old boys and they were about 7 before I let them go and then they had to be together and stay together. Better safe than sorry.