Bringing DS9 into the ladies room at WDW

[LUVDZNY2008]

I am single-mom traveling to WDW alone with my DS9. He is big for his age, yet I feel very uncomfortable leaving him outside the ladies room at any of the parks while I go, and, I am not sure I am comfortable with him going into the men's room alone (even if I wait outside the door). How about at the restrooms at the hotels(when we eat dinner). What are your thoughts, am I being too overprotective???

 

[LoriNSC]

They have family restrooms at the parks. I love them!

 

[SnowWhite2]

A 9 year old boy does not belong in a ladies bathroom. If you can't let him go in the men's room, then use one of the family bathrooms.

 

[LeahA]

I don't think you are being too overprotective. Disney is a huge place and there are alot of people there. I would maybe have him come inside but have him stand near the door, usually where the mirrors are. He doesn't have to come all the way to the stall with you.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Although your son's safety is your first priority and if you don't keep him safe who will - as a woman I don't particularly want a 9 year old in the ladies room. However....you could always utilize the family restrooms and you could wait outside the door for him....however I don't know how that helps when you have to go. Guess I"m not much help

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

Thanks for the replies, I forgot they even had family bathrooms.

 

[princessmom29]

I think the family restrooms are a good solution. I personally don't think I would be comfrotable with a 9 year old boy in the ladies room. The restrooms at thr hotels are smaller and I think it should be ok to send him in alone. Most of the resturants we visited actually had they inside the resturants. It think you would be perfectly safe letting him stand outside the restrooms as there ar lots of other diners seated near the entrances within eyeline.

 

[zoemurr]

or a walkie-talkie and make him talk to you the whole time.

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

I love the walkie-talkie idea I'm okay with the restrooms at the restaurants/hotels. I will look for family restrooms..if I have to go into the ladies room alone at one of the theme parks..I will try to hurry!!!! Thanks for the replies. Even on vacation a mom has to worry!

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

To be honest, it might be a good idea to give him a phone..Thanks!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I think that at 9 your son is a bit too old to be in the ladies restroom. I think the walkie talkies are a great idea for you.

FYI Disney does not have family restrooms. They have companion restrooms, which are meant for people who need help using the facilities. They are just one big space, so there would be no privacy if you were in one with your son. Of course you could always wait outside for him, but please be aware that you will need to be quick. The companion restrooms are the only restrooms some people can use in the parks, and there are not many of them. If you son would need an extended potty break he should go into a regular mens room, and you could wait outside.

 

[Alesia]

I love the walkie-talkie idea I'm okay with the restrooms at the restaurants/hotels. I will look for family restrooms..if I have to go into the ladies room alone at one of the theme parks..I will try to hurry!!!! Thanks for the replies. Even on vacation a mom has to worry!

To be honest, it might be a good idea to give him a phone..Thanks!!!

I would definitely recommend a phone over a walkie talkie. Walkie talkies don't work well in the parks.

You can get him a trac fone for $10.

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

I just talked to him about the phone and he is very happy Good solution..thanks

 

[BabyFu18]

I think it's a sensitive subject, mostly I don't mind parents bring their children into a restroom if they have no one else to watch them but 9 might be a little old for that.

I've never had a problem with anyone bringing their child in the restroom with them, except once when a mother went into a stall, left her son standing outside of her stall and he kept squatting down on the floor and looking under every single stall (which were all occupied). At that point I felt like it was more appropriate for the mother to take the child in her stall than to let him look under and into all the other stalls.

So maybe using the companion restrooms, giving him a phone, or letting him stand just at the entrance to the restroom might be a better idea.

 

[mamacatnv]

A 9 year old boy does not belong in a ladies bathroom. If you can't let him go in the men's room, then use one of the family bathrooms.

My 10 year old DD would be mortified to find a "classmate" of the opposite sex in the bathroom. I agree, use the family bathrooms.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

In addition to the phone suggestion, I would suggest you practice ahead of time, so both of you are comfortable with the brief separation. At WDW, if you're not near a companion restroom, I would have him sit on a designated bench or wait in a specific area while you go in.

Really, 9 is a little old to be in the ladies room. I started sending my son in alone at ~5--starting at places like the grocery store, where there was only one exit and the stakes were low (he would be in there alone, and I wouldn't hesitate to go in after him if need be). I believe he asked to go in the men's room by himself at that point.

So, practice when the stakes are low, make both of you more comfortable.

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

We do go in separate bathrooms when we are out--I guess being away from home with the volume of people (and all the frightening stories you hear--there was a case in the paper about an 8-year old boy being molested in a men's room) that I was feeling alittle nervous. The airport is a scary place to me too. We did resolve the issue with the phone and he will stay right by the bathroom entrance(we will pick a spot before we separate). He did not want to go in the women's room anyway. He's thrilled about the phone. Thanks again.

 

[mom2meiko]

this subject was recently hashed over with a lot of very different and strong opinions.

disney does not have a policy against children of the opposite sex in the restrooms. i called and spoke to a rep personally although she did say she would hope i wasn't talking about a 17 year old. lol.

you do what you are most comfortable with. at 9, your son is on the border line for being ok and being questionable to most parents. that being said, my sisters 2 boys are 7 & 9 (almost) and i would not hesitate to bring them both in with me because they are not mature enough to handle themselves in a questionable situation.

i know people are horrified by my statement and others will support it. i guess it's more important to me that the children are safe. do what you think is right for your son and don't worry about the rest.

 

[here757]

walkie talkie.. phone...
what about germs in the public bathroom??
i cant stand to hear someone on the phone while they are using the restroom.

 

[crisi]

Unless he is developmentally delayed, it is completely inappropriate for your nine year old to be in a women's restroom. There are family restrooms if you are not comfortable leaving him standing outside while you go or waiting outside the men's room while he goes.