Boys in the Women's Bathroom

[kevschickee]

LOL. Have you ever seen the inside of a grade-school boys' restroom? Usually you can smell them from 50 feet away. If they can handle that on a regular basis, no germ they encounter in a regularly-cleaned WDW restroom is going to be an issue.

So true lol

 

[2012bella13]

LOL. Have you ever seen the inside of a grade-school boys' restroom? Usually you can smell them from 50 feet away. If they can handle that on a regular basis, no germ they encounter in a regularly-cleaned WDW restroom is going to be an issue.

No, I have not. I will be sending my first & only DD to kindergarten this fall, I am already planning on inspecting the school & asking how their cleaning routine is

 

[maxiesmom]

It is not always about a Boogie Man! I personally spray lysol before I or my DD uses it, & I want to make sure there is nothing strange in there.

That is not the greatest idea. For one, you don't have any idea what cleaning chemicals WDW uses. You never know when what you use may not mix well with what they use. Secondly, those of us who have asthma or other lung issues do not do well with sprays such as Lysol. I can't imagine how hard it would be to breathe if a bunch of people started spraying down the stalls.

Seriously. Unless you touch your butt and then touch your face you have nothing to worry about when it comes to sitting on an already decently clean toilet seat. Hosing them down with spray does nothing.

 

[2012bella13]

That is not the greatest idea. For one, you don't have any idea what cleaning chemicals WDW uses. You never know when what you use may not mix well with what they use. Secondly, those of us who have asthma or other lung issues do not do well with sprays such as Lysol. I can't imagine how hard it would be to breathe if a bunch of people started spraying down the stalls.

Seriously. Unless you touch your butt and then touch your face you have nothing to worry about when it comes to sitting on an already decently clean toilet seat. Hosing them down with spray does nothing.

I use it because my DD has an Illness, I use it to protect her, I can not stop everyone from coughing without covering thier mouths or children from spreading snot everywhere, so I do what I can for her. I have asthma myself, so I do not overload the seat or area with spray, just enough to suit me, I also take wipes to clean the seat , the spray is only used when I am out of wipes. I also wiped down all the handles on the rides that DD would have to touch while I was there too!! We rode Buzz Light year ride, 3 times & Yes, I cleaned the glasses, & handles everytime!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I use it because my DD has an Illness, I use it to protect her, I can not stop everyone from coughing without covering thier mouths or children from spreading snot everywhere, so I do what I can for her. I have asthma myself, so I do not overload the seat or area with spray, just enough to suit me, I also take wipes to clean the seat , the spray is only used when I am out of wipes. I also wiped down all the handles on the rides that DD would have to touch while I was there too!! We rode Buzz Light year ride, 3 times & Yes, I cleaned the glasses, & handles everytime!!!

Thanks for the clarification. I was afraid you would start the next new trend, people hauling cans of lysol around and spraying everything in sight!

 

[Mkrop]

My post was not intended to imply that you perosonally were only focusing on one aspect. Sorry if it seemed so. It is just that we see this issue of kids and restrooms discussed over and over again, but rarely do we see the molestor discussion in any other form. I find it odd when boggie man in the restroom is the LEAST likely scenario for a child to be accosted. I find it interesting that this is where people in general seem to focus thier energy while is is last on the list of likely dangers. I think we as a society have attached and irrational fear to public restrooms and as a result are taking kids into the women's room long past the time we should be. We, as a group, seem to overinflate this risk, but rarely address others.

I wasnt taking it personally. But I see this argument over and over again, stop worrying about the bathroom and worry about the coach, the scout leader etc. To me there are separate, I worry about the stranger in the bathroom or driving down the street AND I worry about the coaches etc. I prepare my kids how to handle both scenarios, a stranger AND someone you know.

 

[NotUrsula]

No, I have not. I will be sending my first & only DD to kindergarten this fall, I am already planning on inspecting the school & asking how their cleaning routine is

IME, the girls' rooms usually stay relatively clean, except for paper towels on the floor when they shoot for the trash can and miss. Unfortunately, little boys tend to miss something else entirely: the toilet. Boys' restrooms in schools tend to stink to high heaven of urine by the end of the school day, and eventually pretty much all the time when the school hasn't been renovated for awhile, because eventually it gets into cracks under the floor and can't be mopped away.

Also in my experience, most grade schools only have one or two janitors, and they are usually male. Most of the time they don't clean the bathrooms unless the children are not present at the school, so they get cleaned only after-hours. Vomit is usually cleaned immediately halls or classrooms, but in the student bathrooms, only if someone reports it, otherwise it stays there until after school lets out. (Also, usually clogged toilets just have the stall blocked until the janitor can take care of the blockage after school lets out, which means that it might be smelling pretty foul for hours.)

 

[kwdw]

Okay, moms, here's my two cents. If the boy is in the stall with you and not free to roam the restroom, fine. Whatever age you want. But unattended boys because you are in a stall alone, no way. The only public restrooms I routinely find peeping toms under the doors is at Disney, and its usually male boys between about 4 and 8. I have a right to privacy, too.

 

[kevschickee]

Okay, moms, here's my two cents. If the boy is in the stall with you and not free to roam the restroom, fine. Whatever age you want. But unattended boys because you are in a stall alone, no way. The only public restrooms I routinely find peeping toms under the doors is at Disney, and its usually male boys between about 4 and 8. I have a right to privacy, too.

 

[hgeisler]

I am a little leery of bringing this up, since the last time I said anything about a molestation situation I was flamed and completely misinterpreted...but I feel I must. I have two young boys myself, and it makes me incredibly nervous to think of them using the restroom alone. There are several incidents in the media of rapes in public restrooms in different areas of the country, and one in California where a nine year old was murdered in a state park bathroom while his aunt waited outside. She even asked the assailant if he was still in there as he was leaving, and he told her yes.
I know it's Disney, and people think it is safer, but after reading all these incidents it will be a while before my boys will be going in a restroom alone.

 

[letsgoreds]

I only want to add that when you are ready to let your little ones use the restroom by myself, DS7 probably started at 6 (pretty mature for his age), chat briefly if they are going #1 or #2. I hate it when he is in there for a long time...if I know he is pooping, I know to expect it. Several times I have asked a gentleman (one walking out with a child) to please go back in and check to make sure he is in there and OK.

During a trip to WDW in Jan, I did let him go by himself at the airport (#1). If he had to go #2 I would have probably brought him in to the women's room under protest. I feel safer with crowded areas...more eyes/ears. If it is a near empty restroom (like Costco), I will go near him and listen/check to make sure it is empty/etc.

I followed his timeline and make sure we talk about what is OK and what is not OK, and what to do about it...and remind him. We have a specific spot to wait afterwards.

I wouldn't be bothered in the least seeing a young boy (or older boy) in the women's restroom. There are doors! Who cares!

And to whomever posted about the stench from hallway bathrooms (first grade). Good LORD! Gross!

 

[tinkerpea]

The rights of girls???? Last I checked the girls restroom had STALLS with locked doors. I dont think a 10 year old would be looking under the stall door. I dont think the average 10 year old boy would even WANT to go into a womens restroom- awkward...but REALLY??? I dont think anyone would argue that just because 14 years ago when you sent your 6 YO into the restroom and nothing happened, doesn't mean it wont happen today!!!I would agree with you that 10 is too old for the average child, but everyones idea of when its safe is different. Me for one, and my 16 YO DD dont feel our RIGHTS have been violated when we see a boy in the womens bathroom. I DO see my RIGHTS violated when ANY child peeps under the door- usually girls.

YES the rights of girls in the WOMENS we do have some you know?!!

I'm glad you don't see you rights violated but that doesn't mean everybody else has to feel the same way! There may be stalls but those stalls in pretty much every toilet I have been in has cracks in.
I have 3 boys aged 8,8,10 the 10 year old having Autism and my boys have been going to the correct bathroom for years, boys are capable it seems its the mothers who are not.

 

[tinkerpea]

Has anybody who will send their 10 year old and older stopped to think about what this will do to people of certain religions?

I'm British and don't have a religion that it would cause problems with, but Disney sees people come from all over the world, I know for a fact that there are some cultures where you bringing your 10 year old into the restroom would really cause issues for these women.
I think you need to stop thinking about yourselves and also think about what your doing to others with your insecurities.

 

[maxiesmom]

I am a little leery of bringing this up, since the last time I said anything about a molestation situation I was flamed and completely misinterpreted...but I feel I must. I have two young boys myself, and it makes me incredibly nervous to think of them using the restroom alone. There are several incidents in the media of rapes in public restrooms in different areas of the country, and one in California where a nine year old was murdered in a state park bathroom while his aunt waited outside. She even asked the assailant if he was still in there as he was leaving, and he told her yes.
I know it's Disney, and people think it is safer, but after reading all these incidents it will be a while before my boys will be going in a restroom alone.

The thing you keep forgetting is that the vast majority of molesters are people the child knows. So you should be way more afraid of that baseball coach, or the doctor, or of that person at church.

The public restroom incident you bring up happened many years ago. 1998 to be exact. It was truly horrific, but it is not something that happens very often at all. You are over-reacting to an isolated incident.

Even so, if you want to bring your children into the restroom stall with you, have at it. However no one else should have to have boys hanging around in the restroom while you do your business, because of your fears. I'm sorry if that seems mean or unsympathetic, but truly the only way to keep your children safe is if they are in the stall with you.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Bring them in until they start shaving or get married or whatever but take them in the stall with you. If you or they are embarassed to be in your stall then they are too old to be in the women's restroom.

My ds11 has been going alone since he was 8. He would rather pee himself than go in a ladies restroom. We were at Walgreen Sunday and the immobilizer on his knee was sliding down. I told him if he would go into the restroom with me I would fix it - it is a single occupancy restroom. It stayed uncomfortable until we got home.

My dh stopped taking dd9 into the men's room when she was 5 because he said it was 1) nasty in most men's rooms and 2) it was uncomfortable for the men/boys in there.

 

[chris31997]

Has anybody who will send their 10 year old and older stopped to think about what this will do to people of certain religions?

I'm British and don't have a religion that it would cause problems with, but Disney sees people come from all over the world, I know for a fact that there are some cultures where you bringing your 10 year old into the restroom would really cause issues for these women.
I think you need to stop thinking about yourselves and also think about what your doing to others with your insecurities.

And if seeing my son would cause them to be banned or go to where ever their religion sends them for seeing a boy, than quite frankly they should not be in Disney. They will be seeing my kids all over place. Might even be horroified to see my kids in bathing suits

I do not go out of my way to offend, BUT if looking out and ensuring the safety of my kids offends you than I would look twice if I saw a boy who I thought was 10 in the Ladies Bathroom, but I would move on with my life. I would look twice, if I saw someone dressed in something other than casual clothes. I would move on. I find it really odd to see kids older than toddler age in a stoller, but I'm not offend. (Yes, there are kids for medical reason who need it but there others who don't) I cannot live my life trying not to offend someone because then I would be misreable.

 

[wallawallakids]

I try hard to find family restrooms where I can take them all in together if possible. (If I am alone with the 4 of them). If that isn't possible I would (and do) send my oldest two by themselves to their appropriate gender restrooms and feel fine about it. Both are responsible and know how to get in and out and what to do if a stranger does approach them (however unlikely that may be.) I always wait just outside the door for my son if he goes in alone. If DH is with us, I obviously send him with both boys and I take the girls.

Now with my twins I would never let them go by themselves. They are 5 and have absolutely no ability to go in on their own. Both are tiny, and immature for their age. If we are in a Target or anywhere they both come with me. All 3 of us go in one stall. I don't know when I will feel comfortable letting my younger son go alone. I think it depends a lot on personality. Right now he is too immature. I would think by 7 he would be ready. He will be six this summer but I don't anticipate him being able to do that by then either. Maybe people have an issue with that, but I have never noticed and I don't do it to offend. I do it to keep them safe. Of course, like I said, my twins are tiny and don't really look 5.

I don't find it insulting when I see other kids in the bathroom. But then again I try my best to get in and get out!!

 

[cheer25mom]

Okay, moms, here's my two cents. If the boy is in the stall with you and not free to roam the restroom, fine. Whatever age you want. But unattended boys because you are in a stall alone, no way. The only public restrooms I routinely find peeping toms under the doors is at Disney, and its usually male boys between about 4 and 8. I have a right to privacy, too.

The thing you keep forgetting is that the vast majority of molesters are people the child knows. So you should be way more afraid of that baseball coach, or the doctor, or of that person at church.

The public restroom incident you bring up happened many years ago. 1998 to be exact. It was truly horrific, but it is not something that happens very often at all. You are over-reacting to an isolated incident.

Even so, if you want to bring your children into the restroom stall with you, have at it. However no one else should have to have boys hanging around in the restroom while you do your business, because of your fears. I'm sorry if that seems mean or unsympathetic, but truly the only way to keep your children safe is if they are in the stall with you.

ITA with both of these. If you are comfortable atknig your child into the stall with you, go right ahead. I don't have any problem with that. The only problem I have ever incountered in a WDW restroom was a boy about 7-8 trying to crawl under my stall door. NOT FUN!!

 

[hgeisler]

The thing you keep forgetting is that the vast majority of molesters are people the child knows. So you should be way more afraid of that baseball coach, or the doctor, or of that person at church.

The public restroom incident you bring up happened many years ago. 1998 to be exact. It was truly horrific, but it is not something that happens very often at all. You are over-reacting to an isolated incident.

Even so, if you want to bring your children into the restroom stall with you, have at it. However no one else should have to have boys hanging around in the restroom while you do your business, because of your fears. I'm sorry if that seems mean or unsympathetic, but truly the only way to keep your children safe is if they are in the stall with you.

That incident was just one of many that I read, and yes I am aware that most molesters are family members or someone the child knows. I am also aware that molesters like to hold job positions and visit places where children frequent, such as schools, day care centers, YMCA's, and theme/amusement parks. My comment wasn't purely about child molesters either.

I never said that I wouldn't bring my children in the stall with me. I just said I wouldn't be allowing them to use the restroom for a while alone. If that is overreacting to SEVERAL situations that have occured in public restrooms over the years, then I would rather be proactive about my children's safety than put them more at risk in this situation. If that makes me a crazy overprotective mother, so be it.

 

[cheer25mom]

And if seeing my son would cause them to be banned or go to where ever their religion sends them for seeing a boy, than quite frankly they should not be in Disney. They will be seeing my kids all over place. Might even be horroified to see my kids in bathing suits

I do not go out of my way to offend, BUT if looking out and ensuring the safety of my kids offends you than I would look twice if I saw a boy who I thought was 10 in the Ladies Bathroom, but I would move on with my life. I would look twice, if I saw someone dressed in something other than casual clothes. I would move on. I find it really odd to see kids older than toddler age in a stoller, but I'm not offend. (Yes, there are kids for medical reason who need it but there others who don't) I cannot live my life trying not to offend someone because then I would be misreable.

I think the OP was reffering to muslim dress standards. It is not about seeing a boy or man, but being seen by one. I have seen women remove their hajib in the women's restroom many times to fix hair that has slipped down, ect. The expectation is that there are only women or very young boys in a women's restroom so it does not violate the dictates of thier religion to reomve them. A 10 year old boy, who is aware of the differences between male and female, is considered a non family male and it is inappropiate for them to see a girl or woman past puberty who is not an immediate family member with her head uncovered. I had never thought of this but now that it has been brought up I can see the problem.