Boys in the Girls Bathroom?

[Schmeck]

You know, most kids are molested by family members, not "pervs in the bathroom". This thread makes it sound like no one should go in the mens' rooms!

How about finding another boy to go into the mens' room with the older boy? There are probably plenty of women in the same situation that would appreciate having a kid-buddy for their son.

 

[AllyCatTapia]

 

[Mouse House Mama]

So, let this debate go on, i guess but nothing anyone says will ever make me change my mind...
__________________
well, until Disney does like the YMCA at it's locker and restrooms: completely prohibits it and points you toward the family restrooms and lockerrooms





You people are nuts. Your child will not be raped, murdered etc in the 3 minutes it takes them to use the bathroom in a DISNEY PARK!!!!!!!!!!!! WITH YOU STANDING OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The cutoff? Starting to get a little creepy at age 7.


Entitledment mentality: "I am entitled to bring my child into this bathroom because I am too lazy to go find the family restroom."

It is too "our restroom"-- thats why it has a labelled door. Duh. Freaks.

I asume you people are from some popualtion: 300 people-type town if you think your 10 year old is in danger in DISNEYWORLD!

I have to say that even on other threads you are just so nasty in your responses. We can all put our thoughts out there without acting so superior. I do not come from a 300 people type of town. I come from a largely populated area. As far as us being "nuts" can you guarantee that no child will be raped in a bathroom? Yeah, I don't think so. Here's a little FYI- WDW is not some safe haven for families. It is an amusement park!!!!! They do not scan you at the gate and say "oops! pedophile- sorry, you can't enter!" No, we are not scaring our kids so they are distrustful of the world, but we feel no need to put them in a situation that can be avoided. And yes, a child can be killed, raped, or molested in the "3 minutes" that I should be standing outside the door. Not saying it would happen but I am not willing to see if it might. You can have your opinions. You are ENTITLED to them just as I am ENTITLED to mine. As far as calling people "freaks" you are way out of line. That is just plain rude. Do you plan to "backhand" people whose opinion differs from your like you mentioned in another thread? State your case and feelings but try to be at least a little respectful of others. None of us have to agree but name calling is ridiculous. Have a great day!

 

[3mickeys&me]

my boys are 8 and 10 1/2 and they do go in the ladies room with me. ESPECIALLY in places like Disney World, Malls or any othe busy place. If my dh is with us its a different story they would go in the mens room with him.

Better safe than sorry IMO. There are way too many freaks in the world.

Of course my older ds gives me crap about it but too bad, its all about safety.

 

[noodleknitter]

PS- you are not doing your children any favors WHAT SO EVER. You are making them distrust the world- even the World as in WDW. You are telling them you don't think they can handle three minutes alone. And you are probably humiliating them Big Time.

I'm thinking that someone needs to up their meds just a little bit.

 

[NotUrsula]

OK, I think this thread needs a little comic relief now, and I'm here to provide it (true story):

A few weeks ago we happened to visit the MK on the evening of Gay Day. We were having a snack at one point, when DS (age 9) needed to use the toilet, so off he went to the Men's room near SM. He was back in 5 minutes, no big deal. (We visit often, and he knows the parks like the back of his hand.) The funny part happened the next day. Conversationally, he said to us, "You remember last night when we were at MK, when I had to use the bathroom? I saw something really strange while I was in there."

At this point DH & I look at each other, thinking, "Oh, crud, we forgot to tell him that he might see someone dressed as a woman in the Men's room", and we both start furiously thinking about how to explain what transvestites are. So, cautiously, I ask him: "Oh really? What was the strange thing you saw?" DS: "An old man wearing a Goofy hat. He looked really silly."

 

[Mouse House Mama]

OK, I think this thread needs a little comic relief now, and I'm here to provide it (true story):

A few weeks ago we happened to visit the MK on the evening of Gay Day. We were having a snack at one point, when DS (age 9) needed to use the toilet, so off he went to the Men's room near SM. He was back in 5 minutes, no big deal. (We visit often, and he knows the parks like the back of his hand.) The funny part happened the next day. Conversationally, he said to us, "You remember last night when we were at MK, when I had to use the bathroom? I saw something really strange while I was in there."

At this point DH & I look at each other, thinking, "Oh, crud, we forgot to tell him that he might see someone dressed as a woman in the Men's room", and we both start furiously thinking about how to explain what transvestites are. So, cautiously, I ask him: "Oh really? What was the strange thing you saw?" DS: "An old man wearing a Goofy hat. He looked really silly."

Aren't kids the best?!

 

[Hannathy]

It is entitlement mentality as in MY boy is more important and the only one who counts, not you or your daughter.

I guess all you who take your and I can't believe this 10 and up boys in the bathroom never let them go on field trips. On field trips they are on their own and guess what they go in heaven forbid Mens rooms. Our 5th graders go on a field trip to an amusement park and there are 10 and 11 yr olds in the fifth grade. They also go to Chicago and go in restrooms by themselves. Do you really think someone is going to molest them in the BR at Disney with the amount of men coming and going in and out of the restroom? With you outside the door. Show me the cases from Disney and only Disney because that is what we are talking about.

These threads always amaze me because these are the same posters that have a fit if another person is put in their childs row on a ride but it is OK for their 11 yr old son to watch my DD in the bathroom.

 

[noodleknitter]

Anyone can easily google for links reporting the documented incidents of boys and teens being sexually assaulted in restrooms. There have also been incidents at YMCA's nationally of men sexually assaulting boys, including teens.

And, what kind of stats are there re. child molestation in well-lit, well-staffed and crowded restrooms such as those at WDW?

If people are worried about assault, worry about their scout leaders, daycare workers, teacher/aides, and good old Uncle Fred.

 

[ladyelle]

I have four boys ages 6 and 8 and one girl age 6 and I take them in a family restroom. If there is not a family restroom, we ALL go in the women's restroom in one large stall. I have no intention of changing anytime soon. If my husband takes them to the restroom, he takes them all to the men's room in one large stall.

Most people who have children understand the dangers and have commented they do the same thing. I'm not concerned what other's think. It seems that most people who have a problem with this are people without children or those with only girls.

 

[va32h]

Okay, I am confused about something.

I thought the OP was asking what to do with her son when she has to go to the bathroom - so the concern is not that her son would be molested in a bathroom, but that her son would get lost or go missing while waiting for her outside the restroom.

When I have to go to the bathroom, and I have no other adult with me, all my children (ages 10, 6 and 2) have to come with me - I won't leave them by themselves. Depending on where we are and the layout of the bathroom, I might let my oldest wait outside the door, but the other two have to come into the restroom with me.

Just for the heck of it, I asked my 10 year old daughter what she would think if a boy her age came into the women's restroom (with his mom) while she was using it. Her first response was "Is he cute?"

She did say she would be embarrassed, more for his sake, though, not for her own. So I will carefully consider how much longer to take my son in with me (he's the 6yo).

 

[welovedis]

It is entitlement mentality as in MY boy is more important and the only one who counts, not you or your daughter.

I guess all you who take your and I can't believe this 10 and up boys in the bathroom never let them go on field trips. On field trips they are on their own and guess what they go in heaven forbid Mens rooms. Our 5th graders go on a field trip to an amusement park and there are 10 and 11 yr olds in the fifth grade. They also go to Chicago and go in restrooms by themselves. Do you really think someone is going to molest them in the BR at Disney with the amount of men coming and going in and out of the restroom? With you outside the door. Show me the cases from Disney and only Disney because that is what we are talking about.

These threads always amaze me because these are the same posters that have a fit if another person is put in their childs row on a ride but it is OK for their 11 yr old son to watch my DD in the bathroom.

I don't recall one single post here where anyone said it was ok for an 11 yo boy to watch anyone in the bathroom. I honestly don't know what you all do in the bathrooms but we use it for its intended purpose, wash our hands, dry them & leave. Hope no one here ever visits a foreign country or you'd never use a restroom at all, lol!

 

[Luv'sTink]

Why is it that these threads always get beat to death?

IF someone feels it is OK to take their son (insert age here) into the ladies room and IF someone feels it is NOT OK to take a boy (insert age here) into the ladies room, You are not going to change their mind by going back and forth with mean spirited posts or any posts for that matter.

Lets move on people, nothing to see here!

And this post wont stop people from posting either!!

 

[summerrluvv]

It is entitlement mentality as in MY boy is more important and the only one who counts, not you or your daughter.

I guess all you who take your and I can't believe this 10 and up boys in the bathroom never let them go on field trips. On field trips they are on their own and guess what they go in heaven forbid Mens rooms. Our 5th graders go on a field trip to an amusement park and there are 10 and 11 yr olds in the fifth grade. They also go to Chicago and go in restrooms by themselves. Do you really think someone is going to molest them in the BR at Disney with the amount of men coming and going in and out of the restroom? With you outside the door. Show me the cases from Disney and only Disney because that is what we are talking about.

These threads always amaze me because these are the same posters that have a fit if another person is put in their childs row on a ride but it is OK for their 11 yr old son to watch my DD in the bathroom.

I know that at the school where my child attends, they use the buddy system and go to the bathroom together, and I would imagine the same thing applies to field trips. Safety in numbers. If there is a molestor in the bathroom, it's highly unlikely he is going to approach two boys at the same time.

I'm amazed at how many people are appauled by having someone of the opposite sex in the bathroom. All you are doing is going to the bathroom behind a closed door! It would be one thing if there were no doors on the stalls, but sheesh! Aren't most bathrooms abroad co-ed? I hope none of you travel outside of the US

 

[Va-bear]

Hi all -
I really respect what va32h was saying - talk to kids (remembering they are not all alike...) and THINK alot about what is age appropriate for your child. I think a lot of people are going over board here and it really isn't helping your child..... They DO need to learn how to handle things in the world in case, heaven forbid, a child molester does approach them - say near the school playground when no one notices (which does happen...sometimes...none of it is too common.) SO, I have tried to do this AGE appropriate thing:

baby - 2years/ in the stall with me (boy turns head as soon as he can)
3-5 / just outside of stall w/feet under door - talking all the time
5-7 /near the stall - voice contact
7-10/ near the door to the restroom entrance - respectful that its a ladies rooom
11-up / outside of the entrance, but still right beside it

For each,consideration should be given to each childs maturity level etc.
And, from the earliest ,the child is told "if you ever feel uncomfortalbe yell for mom - no matter what." Tell them to come into the restrooom if they need to - tell them to kick, punch, scream fire if they need too. Explain your fears and tell them why they need to talk to you - they will know when they are in danger if they are taught the clues.Teach them to USE their senses....or they wont develop any.... And they will really, really need them in this world!

Don't be so afraid of the world that your child doesn't get the chance to develop good life skills.....you are a good teacher , teach them, slowly and surely, but do let them fly...

 

[summerrluvv]

Hi

And, from the earliest ,the child is told "if you ever feel uncomfortalbe yell for mom - no matter what." Tell them to come into the restrooom if they need to - tell them to kick, punch, scream fire if they need too. Explain your fears and tell them why they need to talk to you - they will know when they are in danger if they are taught the clues.Teach them to USE their senses....or they wont develop any.... And they will really, really need them in this world!

Don't be so afraid of the world that your child doesn't get the chance to develop good life skills.....you are a good teacher , teach them, slowly and surely, but do let them fly...

Children don't have senses like adults and I think many of you are forgetting that, that's why they are called children. A child in a situation like that is most likely not going to yell for mommy if he has a predator with his hand around his neck or mouth threatening to kill him if he screams. While I realize these things don't happen everyday, it does happen and for all of the horrible stories you see on the news, there are just as many that you don't. I don't shelter him, I protect him and he's a very happy little kid with lots of friend and lots of fun in his life. I know many well adjusted children that go into the restroom with their parents, including my own.

Also, I cannot even imagine leaving a 3 year old standing outside the restroom stall waiting for me. 3 year olds are defenseless. While you are sitting on the toilet, they could be snatched up in an instant. Why not just bring a 3 year old in the stall with you?

Bringing a child into a restroom is not hurting anyone and in the grand scheme of things in life, it's not that big of a deal so I say you do what you need to do and I'll do what I need to do to protect my child

 

[Evil Queen]

Children don't have senses like adults and I think many of you are forgetting that, that's why they are called children. A child in a situation like that is most likely not going to yell for mommy if he has a predator with his hand around his neck or mouth threatening to kill him if he screams. While I realize these things don't happen everyday, it does happen and for all of the horrible stories you see on the news, there are just as many that you don't. I don't shelter him, I protect him and he's a very happy little kid with lots of friend and lots of fun in his life. I know many well adjusted children that go into the restroom with their parents, including my own.

Also, I cannot even imagine leaving a 3 year old standing outside the restroom stall waiting for me. 3 year olds are defenseless. While you are sitting on the toilet, they could be snatched up in an instant. Why not just bring a 3 year old in the stall with you?

Bringing a child into a restroom is not hurting anyone and in the grand scheme of things in life, it's not that big of a deal so I say you do what you need to do and I'll do what I need to do to protect my child

I'm not disagreeing, by any means.

But I have taught my child to never yell for "Help". Too many folks turn their heads...yell fire.....some reason folks like to see or help with a fire...go figure.

 

[summerrluvv]

I'm not disagreeing, by any means.

But I have taught my child to never yell for "Help". Too many folks turn their heads...yell fire.....some reason folks like to see or help with a fire...go figure.

I saw a special on Dateline or the like recently about how many people ignored children and adults that were invovled in dangerous situations (i.e. bullying, harrassment, pushing, etc.). I like the "yell fire" thing. I should teach DS that. Thanks for the tip

 

[Va-bear]

I agree that children don't have the same senses of what's a bad situation as an adult - that was my whole point. Teach the child with words and discussion, role playing, etc., what is a not-so-normal situation. Ofcourse, they wont always get it right - that,s why you keep talking and talking. But "guarding" them doesn't teach them. If you take that approach what's to keep someone from just grabbing a kid out of your arms? Nothing? The point is that's not too common. We have to teach the kids to handle all sorts of things...... age appropriately. My 3 year old stands out of the stall door just fine - he know if he moves he gets punished (a second life lesson... consequences for our actions.) I choose not to take him in the stall because there IS significant data to show that aberrant behavior can be linked to "trama" in childhood (that sometimes has been relayed by prisoners and others to be such things as seeing violence, seeing mothers naked, etc.) Antisocial, and criminal behaviors are a MUCH bigger problem in this society than we'd like to accept - it's what we're ALL worried about.... We have a lot more "basic" criminals, wife abusers, pedophiles (ones we have day to day contact with, say at church..), than we do straight out kidnappers. I choose to look at the realistic odds in life. (And no I am not saying seeing ones mother alone will cause one to be a criminal, unfortuanly we dont know all of the key triggers.... but why not look at what the data does know so far?)
Also, trust me, I'm just here to discuss - I find it intesresting and get lots of good points, ideas, thought provoking issues, etc. I like it... I would never pressume to tell anyone how to raise their children - didn't mean to imply that. I apologize that it xame across that way. I alway love good discussion!

 

[mikesdisneymom]

I am sorry if I have offened anyone. The main topic of my post was what to do when I went, and if I should bring him in with me. Hearing all of the stories has made up my mind that he is coming in with me. However he can stand by the sinks, trying not to offend anyone, I don't feel safe with leaving my child outside of the restroom. I allow him to go in the men's by himself as long as I am by the door and can hear him or if call his name and have him answer. What worries me the most is him being outside the restroom by himself and with a crowd of people.
Thank all of you for helping me to make up my mind about him going inside with me.
.