Boys in women's changing rooms

[Isila]

as my DS1 turned 7 and is getting bigger and bigger day by day, I began to think: is it ok if I bring him to women's chaging rooms? Maybe he's too "old" for that?

 

[SleepingX3Beauty]

I don't think anyone would make a problem out of it but maybe he himself will start finding it a bit uncomfortable at this age?
I'd try and let him go to the men's alone and tell him you'll wait right there untill he's back. If he doesn't feel okay with that you can just take him with you and try again when he's a bit older.

 

[jcieutat]

Yes, at 7 years old he should not be going in the women's changing rooms.

 

[tajz90]

If he reacts negatively then no he shouldn't be in there, but if cares less like its no big deal, then it's no big deal.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

as my DS1 turned 7 and is getting bigger and bigger day by day, I began to think: is it ok if I bring him to women's chaging rooms? Maybe he's too "old" for that?

No one will care and you'll see lot's of people doing it but it is up to him if he feels uncomfortable or not.

How do you feel also about letting him going in the mens, can he put his things in a locker on his own (or don't they have them in the hotel pools ?) that sort of thing.

With him not speaking French, I don't know if he speaks English ? I'd would prefer having himwith me if he was mine for example

 

[Isila]

I don't think it's a big deal for him. Last year I told them to close their eyes and not to look. I try to find a locker away in the corner (there's a very good spot in HNY women's locker's). But I doubt if other women feel ok if he's there.

 

[ccgirl]

as my DS1 turned 7 and is getting bigger and bigger day by day, I began to think: is it ok if I bring him to women's chaging rooms? Maybe he's too "old" for that?

There have been many threads like this. Some of them get pretty heated. Incidentally, there are plenty of people that care. I think a good suggestion is if they are able to change/take care of themselves, they, IMHO, should not be in the women's changing room.

My DD is in a swim club and they send frequent messages that the women's chaning room is for female's and the men's changing room is for males's that some girls/boys are uncomfortable with members of the opposite sex being in the room. They have a tent on deck for members of the opposite gender that need assitance. For example, a mom alone with her DS that needs assitance.

You will find views on this vary.

 

[ccgirl]

I don't think it's a big deal for him. Last year I told them to close their eyes and not to look. I try to find a locker away in the corner (there's a very good spot in HNY women's locker's). But I doubt if other women feel ok if he's there.

There's your answer. If you don't think other women feel okay then he shouldn't be there. Just my two cents.

 

[Isila]

No one will care and you'll see lot's of people doing it but it is up to him if he feels uncomfortable or not.

How do you feel also about letting him going in the mens, can he put his things in a locker on his own (or don't they have them in the hotel pools ?) that sort of thing.

With him not speaking French, I don't know if he speaks English ? I'd would prefer having himwith me if he was mine for example

he doesn't speak French nor english. and I'm sure no one will understand Lithuanian. He is shy, he might not have the courage to go alone. On the other he's old enough. But I'd rather keep him with me.

 

[Ware Bears]

Perhaps I'm remembering incorrectly but I'm sure there weren't separate changing rooms at the Newport Bay? Hopefully someone can clarify this.

However even if I'm wrong, everyone has to go through a private cubicle (with locking doors either end) to access the pool so everyone gets changed in their own cubicle so there won't be any half-dressed people wandering round the changing room. The changing rooms at the Explorers were the same as at Newport Bay so I guess the layout is the same at every Disney hotel.

I'd take him in with you, no one will mind. We have family changing rooms at my local pool so this dilemma doesn't arise but rest assured letting a 7 year old go into a changing room on his own would be frowned upon in the UK.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Right so take him with you. In France people aren't going to be bothered by a little boy

You see lots of small children with their mums in the public swimming pool changing rooms here where the showers are open plan and everybody strips off and wanders about in the nude.

People don't notice other peoples nudity like they do in the US and it's not a big deal.

Maybe when you go in March he will want to go by himself anyway in the mens side

 

[Isila]

He's brave enough to go alone in mes WC started just last year. There where no family changing rooms in HNY, doubt there's one in SL but this would be a good idea. I always think how dads with little daughters solve this problem

Anyway, I' start working on this, explaining him etc. Maybe he'll do it and go alone.

 

[RoseBug]

I certainly wouldn't mind. My concern would be his safety and 7 is still very young, and I would prefer you to keep him with you rather than protect my blushes, iykwim?

In the NPB it is communal changing rooms with cubicles. Most public pools in the UK have communal changing facilities with cubicles anyway, so it would be no big deal to many Brits, and certainly not to the French! Not sure about the other hotels.

I think some people are a bit too uptight about their modesty (and this is coming from someone who won't even wear a bikini), he is a child and it really shouldn't matter.

 

[DLPdaft]

I don't think it's a big deal for him. Last year I told them to close their eyes and not to look. I try to find a locker away in the corner (there's a very good spot in HNY women's locker's).
But I doubt if other women feel ok if he's there.

I'd have no problem seeing 2 boys your childrens' ages in the womens locker rooms with their Mum.

 

[Isila]

thanks all, I feel less concerned now. Probably should not bother myself with this, but all those things just come to my mind.

 

[jillrobinson]

It wouldn't concern me at all and if it did I'd cover up.

As a mum of 2 now teenage boys I've been in your situation and I would be much happier having a 7 year old in with me.

I really wish that more places would introduce family changing rooms and bathrooms where dads can take daughters, mums can take sons and we can look after our children without worrying whether we're upsetting someone else.

 

[RoseBug]

It wouldn't concern me at all and if it did I'd cover up.

As a mum of 2 now teenage boys I've been in your situation and I would be much happier having a 7 year old in with me.

I really wish that more places would introduce family changing rooms and bathrooms where dads can take daughters, mums can take sons and we can look after our children without worrying whether we're upsetting someone else.

Totally agree!

My DH has always been the one at home with Rosebug; he crammed his hours into 2 days when I went back to work and now that she is at nursery he does 3 12 hour shifts. This means it is him who takes her to swimming classes and has to take her into the men's toilets etc. If people are bothered by that, they can get lost as far as I am concerned! However, it has led to some rather funny episodes - for example in the changing room at the swimming pool, Rosebug burst out laughing and was almost doubled over; then shouted "Haha Daddy, you've got a little tail!" DH said he heard the family in the next cubicle roar with laughter!

I am not all hippy about nudity etc. in some ways I am quite prudish, but I don't think children should be exposed to "issues with nudity".

 

[Donald Ducks wife]

In the female changing area at SL, there was 2 cubicles and I'm sure there was a room?? Maybe a family room? I don't know, but definitely there was 2 cubicles as I used one with my 3 year old son back in september.

 

[MummyMinnie]

I definitely would not let my seven year old son go into a changing room on his own - for his own safety these days. I certainly had no doubts in taking in him with me at that age. I also have a daughter who's 9 and she regularly goes with Daddy.
The only problem we've ever had funnily enough was this year on holiday in France (not Disney) when my husband tried to take my daughter into the men's toilets and the attended refused him entry!
I guess everybody does have different opinions on this and you have to do what you feel is best for you and your son, enjoy your stay.

 

[Isila]

Thanks. You never know what people think and how would they react. And it's another country. So you never know. But I'd be more happy and more calm to have him with me. So, I'll stick to that.