Family restrooms / moms with sons?

[mrsboz]

I have an 11 year old boy and two girls. They are almost always with me since my husband works 3 - 11 shift. I would never let him go in the bathroom by himself. You never know what kind of weirdo's are in the bathroom. Someone might see him go in or be waiting for someone to come in. I don't care if I get looks or he is a little uncomfortable. I will do the best I can to make sure that he is safe. Going in to a public bathroom by himself is not safe. As far as Disney being safe. Yes, I feel it is pretty safe, but if someone where to like young children this would be prime location for a pervert.

 

[mrsmiller]

My boys are 7 and 8 yrs old and I still take them to the woman's bathroom with me...
We had a case in Ny where the mother send her 9 yr old to the men bathroom alone and after 20 minutes she got worried and went inside the bathroom only to find her son dead and nobody saw or heard anything;
It is still an open case with no suspects. I know that there is evil people anywhere Disney is not excluded...
Linnette

 

[Kermit]

I think that you should do whatever makes you comfortable. If your mommy instincts tell you to take a boy into the ladies' restroom, by all means do it.

I would like to point out, though, that WDW can be a good place for boys to use the restroom in the mens' room because of the crowds. I wouldn't let a boy go into a quiet bathroom on his own, but a bathroom with several men in it, especially men with children, should be safe. People like to commit crimes when other people aren't watching.

 

[dturner]

My boys are 7 and 8 yrs old and I still take them to the woman's bathroom with me...
We had a case in Ny where the mother send her 9 yr old to the men bathroom alone and after 20 minutes she got worried and went inside the bathroom only to find her son dead and nobody saw or heard anything;
It is still an open case with no suspects. I know that there is evil people anywhere Disney is not excluded...
Linnette

Thank you!!

It's horrible but these things happen all the time, all over the U.S. to all kinds of people and I for one will NOT take the chance of that happening to my DS(8) - so for now - he will STILL go into the woman's restroom with me wherever I am and I don't care what people think for I will know my son is safe.

 

[lclark0621]

I just wish Disney would put in some family restrooms.

You can find family restrooms almost everywhere now a days. Why is it Disney, that is such a huge family destination still does not have family restrooms?

My DS is only a baby, so I dont have to worry about this yet. But I know sometimes when my son has a blow out in his diaper, we use the family restrooms. It is very helpful having an extra set of hands to change a diaper.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

This is one of those topics for which there will be a variety of opinions. I'm so glad to see that everyone can share those opinions freely and without fighting.

As for my family -- i have two girls (5 1/2 and almost 10). Since they are girls they go in with me without hassle. There are times when my older one wants to go by herself. I go by the place in making my decision. I sometimes "tale" her and follow her in a minute later to make sure everything is okay.

I suggest that you do what it going to feel comfortable for your family. I would not hesitate to bring my son in with me -- if I had a son.

 

[JJsmama]

I just wish Disney would put in some family restrooms.

You can find family restrooms almost everywhere now a days. Why is it Disney, that is such a huge family destination still does not have family restrooms?

My DS is only a baby, so I dont have to worry about this yet. But I know sometimes when my son has a blow out in his diaper, we use the family restrooms. It is very helpful having an extra set of hands to change a diaper.

Did you know that there are special facilities in the parks for nursing mothers and diaper changing? I've never used them but heard they are nice.

 

[sanibelover]

Obviously, I don't hink you should do anything to put your children in danger, but you mean to tell me that no matter where you are in public , you take your 11 year old son in the restroom with you? If you go out to eat, you go with him and take him in the women's room??? If you go to the mall, you take him in the women's room? If you go to a museum you take him in the women's room? What about when you aren't with him? Do you think that he never goes in a men's room alone? What about school trips? What about sports teams? What about clubs?

 

[crazymomof4]

When they were little I always took my boys in the wo. room with me.
When they got older (9-10) I would allow them to go into the men's room together. I would wait just outside the door and "eyeball" every man who went in as I waited. I would also holler in if I felt they were in there too long.
They knew (and still know even now that they are 13 + 15) that when they are together in a public place they are never to let the other brother out of their site! I told them to stick together like glue. There is strength in numbers. I feel that the weirdo's and perv's out there look for the lowest risk and that would mean waiting for a child who is alone (sad, that we have to lower ourselves to think as they might). I feel much safer if I know they are together.

OT- After 3 boys I've found that taking a girl to a public RR is so much more difficult! The boys were easy compared to the whole covering the seat, pulling the pants all the way down (while at the same time making sure they don't touch the floor) and holding her so her little tushy doesn't dip into the water! Oh well, all the pink and frilly things I'm enjoying more than makes up for it!!!!

 

[mrsboz]

Yes, I do bring my son in with me no matter where I go. As far as sports teams - he goes to the bathroom before he leaves home. He is only in sports where they play for an hour at a time at his age and if he has to go in the kids usually go together and it is not an issue. He doesn't really go anywhere alone he is only 11. If he goes to a school dance he is with his friends. Obviously, this isn't for you so don't do it for your child. For me, I will continue to do this so that I know that my child will be safe. Everyone has their own level of comfort.

 

[lclark0621]

Did you know that there are special facilities in the parks for nursing mothers and diaper changing? I've never used them but heard they are nice.

Yes & they are very nice! We use them whenever we can. The problem is there is only one in each park & they are by the entrances. Makes it tough when you are all the way on the otherside of the park.

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

These facilities also have a family restroom

I didn't read all the posts so sorry if this was a repeat.

 

[disgrajak]

Hi,
I posted this on another thread, but I feel it's important to post it here. I am a former prosecuter who worked in abuse and neglect court. Pedophiles specifically go to places like Disney, petting zoos, swimming pools, etc. for the sole purpose of seeing/hurting kids. Some video tape kids and some try to touch them in pools, etc. In the last couple of years in my town a 4 year old boy was molested in a store bathroom while his mother waited outside. We also had a 12 year old boy held down by force and assaulted in a park bathroom. This is scary stuff and it is rare that something like this happens, but the fact is it does happen and you have to protect your kids from it. I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old and I will be taking them to the bathroom for many years to come. If anybody ever gives me a look or makes a comment, I will tell them the story of these two kids and others and hope that they understand that kids' safety comes before ANYONE'S comfort level. Pixie dust to you all! We are leaving for the happiest place on earth tomorrow!

 

[dturner]

Hi,
I posted this on another thread, but I feel it's important to post it here. I am a former prosecuter who worked in abuse and neglect court. Pedophiles specifically go to places like Disney, petting zoos, swimming pools, etc. for the sole purpose of seeing/hurting kids. Some video tape kids and some try to touch them in pools, etc. In the last couple of years in my town a 4 year old boy was molested in a store bathroom while his mother waited outside. We also had a 12 year old boy held down by force and assaulted in a park bathroom. This is scary stuff and it is rare that something like this happens, but the fact is it does happen and you have to protect your kids from it. I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old and I will be taking them to the bathroom for many years to come. If anybody ever gives me a look or makes a comment, I will tell them the story of these two kids and others and hope that they understand that kids' safety comes before ANYONE'S comfort level. Pixie dust to you all! We are leaving for the happiest place on earth tomorrow!

Thanks for your input on this. I totally agree with you.

Hope you have a nice trip.

 

[beautybelle]

When we go in May my son will be 8 and I absolutly will take him into the bathroom with me. There is no way I would risk his safety for anything. EVEN at Disney World bad things CAN happen.

 

[mrsg00fy]

take your sons to the ladies room. you can not be too cautious. i would find it hard to believe that anyone could have a problem with this. if they do, it is just too bad for them. especially in a women's room, it's not as if the kids will see anything or invade anyone's privacy. there is nothing as important as your child's safety. my sons are 6 and 9 and if my husband is not with us, they go to the ladies room.

 

[HM]

OK, I asked my 11 yr old son about this the other day. Just curious to know how he would feel about it (not how his mom thought he would feel). He said he thought it might be OK to go in the women's room at WDW and he would only feel a little embarrassed.
He did think it was a bit wierd that I would ask though, as he has to go by himself to the bathroom everyday at middle school and hasn't had to join his mom/sister in a restroom in ages. So, I told him about this thread.

-HM

 

[sanibelover]

I also asked my 11 yr old about this and looked at me like I had 3 heads. I homeschool so he doesn't even have the experience of having to go into restrooms every day but has been going in by himself for some time now.

I am one of the ones who posted that I thought it would be OK for the 9 and 7 yr. olds to go into the resrooms together by themselves.

Guess my point is that alot of the posts insisting that their sons would be going in with them to restrooms for a long time in the future have 5 or 6 year olds. I felt that way too when I had kids that age. (Still have a 4 yo, and he obviously still goes in with me.) Once they hit 9 or so, everything changes...... I still would probably be uncomfortable sending my 8 year old in alone, but with his big brother in there with him, I don't give it a second thought.

Also, I am aware that bad things can happen, but I think you are putting your child at much more risk when you let him sleep at a friends (which I rarely do) or carpool with neighbors.

You do have to do what you are comfortable with, but an 11 year old in the ladies room (especially one that is larger than his mother) isn't something that I think is good for the child.

 

[bigbabyblues]

There are restrooms in the Baby Care Centers also. I took my 4-yo ds in there while DH was changing the baby. We went at AK and at MK, and the bathroom was just one toilet and sink, no stalls or anything. That might be something to help the OP, as there is one in each park.

 

[sammy66]

take your sons to the ladies room. you can not be too cautious. i would find it hard to believe that anyone could have a problem with this. if they do, it is just too bad for them. especially in a women's room, it's not as if the kids will see anything or invade anyone's privacy. there is nothing as important as your child's safety. my sons are 6 and 9 and if my husband is not with us, they go to the ladies room.

My thoughts exactly. My son is 8, and as much as I do not want to offend anyone else, his protection is my first priority.

Single stall bathrooms are ok, I will wait outside of the door. But, if I think it may be a multiple stall or large bathroom (sometimes I can't tell) then he comes with me into the ladies room. I will ask him to wait in the stall until I come out, and then we will wash and leave.