Boys in womens restrooms

[MinnieNurse]

My son is 7 and when DH is with us he takes him to the restroom. However, if I am out shopping with him and he has to go it depends on where we are. Sometimes I stand outside the mens room and wait, other times I make him go in the ladies room with me.

On the other hand when I have to go-I have to go Thats all there is to it and he is sure not going to wait outside the ladies room for me in some busy public place. He would rather not go in the ladies room, however, I make him. I am not about to let something happen to my child due to my carelessness or offending someone who does not like seeing boys in the bathroom.

I will say my child is made to behave very well and has very good manners. Maybe it is not the issue of boys being in the bathroom, but people not controlling their children.

Just my opinion!!

 

[LisaBi]

Please keep in mind that many children also have invisible disabilities that require us (their opposite sex parent) to take them with us.

My son is almost 13 and has Down Syndrome. The two of us travel to WDW without my husband or other son. So, it's just him and me.

He is starting to get reliable enough that if I just need to dash in, I can sometimes trust him to wait just outside. But if I need to be longer, no way. Also, if HE is the one that needs to use the facilities - if I can be SURE he just needs to pee, I can usually send him into the men's alone. But it there is ANY chance he'll need my help (and he often does), I can't risk it. Better to have him in the women's restroom than me in the men's!

One time I let him go into the restroom off the lobby of the ASMo and ended up having to get a CM to close the restroom so I could go in to help.

 

[Jacksmom99]

DS is 7 and is starting to get grumpy about using the ladies room. I don't care. He's coming with me for at least another 2 years. DD 3 1/2 was with DH at the MK in Feb. One time they used the companion bathroom, the other time DH just carried her in and made a bee line for the nearest stall. I don't know what he'll do as she gets older and he can't carry her. Maybe cover her eyes?? Most of the time it's not an issue as we're together. What will he do when he has to go? Maybe make her face the wall in the stall? I make DS stand outside my stall so I can see his toes. I wouldn't want DD to stand by herself in the men's room

Bottom line is that my kids need to be safe so I guess DH and I will do what we have to do.

 

[ziggy14]

I have a question for the original poster here, live and let live. Do you have young children of your own? I'm not sure what a mam is, maybe your daughter. Anyway, I am in the majority who still take their boys in the ladies restroom. I have twin boys, age five, who easily could pass for eight so yes we get many disgusting looks. The boys do not like it, I do not like it, but it is what we have to do. The three of us are always in the same stall at the same time and yes it does get crowded but I want to have them in my sight at all times. All I can say is for everyone out there who is so quick to criticize us for bringing our boys into the ladies room is, it is not picnic for us either. I would love to live in a society where we could send our children into a public restroom by themselves without fearing for their safety, but we do not. Right now all we can do as responsible parents is ignore the rude comments we get from strangers for taking our boys in the ladies restroom and know we are doing it for the child’s own safety, not to upset anyone. Maybe some of the people who are using productive energy to complain about little boys in the restroom could use that energy to push for more family restrooms which would put an end to this debate once and for all.

 

[debbiepump]

I was actually in an airport a few years ago and mom brought in her son, I'd say 8-9 years old AND his friend and/or brother around the same age. The boys made it quite obvious what they were seeing through the cracks in the doors and making comments. Mom was in one of the stalls at the time.
Tough decision as to what to do with kids-what about dads bringing their daughters in the men's room????

 

[leanne11]

i remember a tv show (most wanted) where the family was at a picnic place and the 7 yr. old had to go, like a rest stop area bathroom, the aunt and uncle were RIGHT outside the opening, didn't even have a door and a young man slit his throat in 2 seconds and they couldn't do anything about it..so yeah, my 7ds goes in with me, he closes his eyes of his own doing, until he gets in the stall, and if i'm at the movies by myself and have to go he comes in and stands behind the door in the corner totally embarrased.. but safe

 

[sadeeyore]

I think everyone should just do what they feel is right.

When we are in Disney my DH takes my youngest DS. My DS is 9, has autism and learning disability and I couldn't let him into the mens restroom on his own. Not sure what I would do if I was on my own with him.

ziggy14 I think live and let live means his mom. Usually in the UK it would be mum, but in some areas it's mam.

 

[robinb]

Well live and let live, this topic is quite the can of worms. There are many parents out there who just do not feel comfortable allowing their children to use the bathroom alone. I don't understand it, but I am a more "go with the flow" parent and not a ultra-protective parent. I personally think that an 8 year-old boy is too old to be going potty with mommy, but many mothers do not agree.

Here is a poll that posted last year on the subject:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=867251

ETA: I'm talking about Walt Disney World or other controlled area like the Wal*Mart. I am not talking about a rest area or the like.

 

[Lizzybee]

oops double post sorry

 

[Lizzybee]

I might get flamed for this but my DBF said it and I thought it was funny.
He said "As long as George Michael isn't in there it should be fine"
I don't care if boys are in there as long as they stay away from my stall if I was startled by anyone crawling in on me I'd probably freak and start to kick my feet. Well behaved supervised boys are no prob. If I spotted a boy who appeared too old too be in there I'd probably do a double take and assume he was somehow disabled. My son stopped going in with me at about 8 or so. If I felt the situation were dangerous (highway rest stop) I might make him go with me but the bathrooms at WDW are busy and usually have fathers and sons in there so they don't make me nervous. Assess the situation and go with your insticts.

 

[KarenAylwood]

This is just a continuation of the 21 page thread that got locked yesterday afternoon!!!

Ughhh ok ok. So obviously we all have different opinions on the subject and no matter what some say about it not being appropriate, others will defend it to the death and continue to do it... soooo... why are we still arguing about it? Live and let live. Some will do it, some won't. If some woman comes in with her boys and they are misbehaving and staring through the crack at you- by all means, say something! Yelling on this board about it's inappropriateness isn't going to change anything, and in the end- it's just going to get this thread locked like the others.

 

[DisneyPhD]

This is just a continuation of the 21 page thread that got locked yesterday afternoon!!!

Ughhh ok ok. So obviously we all have different opinions on the subject and no matter what some say about it not being appropriate, others will defend it to the death and continue to do it... soooo... why are we still arguing about it? Live and let live. Some will do it, some won't. If some woman comes in with her boys and they are misbehaving and staring through the crack at you- by all means, say something! Yelling on this board about it's inappropriateness isn't going to change anything, and in the end- it's just going to get this thread locked like the others.

What she said.

 

[mamalle]

oh my goodness- of course I would. alot of our trips are just me and the kids and there is no way in heck- Im letting him go in by himself.

 

[danny1649]

Move on