First trip need advice on rest room etiquette for DS

[robinb]

This topic has had a good airing and the OP has been left in know doubt that the majority would not support this. Please remember to remain respectful otherwise the thread will be closed with appropriate action taken.

I do not have a problem AllyC and you should go with what you and your family are most comfortable with

I'm just curious, does that mean that you would be OK for AllyC to bring her son into the men's room too if that is what she was most comfortable with?

Having worked for a Swedish company in the past when all toilets were unisex I suspect that I have more liberal views on single sex facilities. Anyway back on topic otherwise I will have to sanction myself

I have also used unisex toilets in Europe. I feel there are different expectations in unisex toilets than in single gender toilets.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Would she "go to pieces" seeing a 9 year old outside the restroom? What's the difference? It's a boy. He should be fully dressed, as should she. If my 5 year old went "to pieces" over that, I'd tell her to knock it off and not be such a drama queen. I don't feed into such nonsense.

There could be a very good reason the PPs former foster daughter would go to pieces...none of which would be because she is a drama queen.

 

[disnut8]

There are NO family restrooms at Disney. They are handicapped companion restrooms and they are for those who NEED assistance in the bathroom. They are few and far between and if you are concerned about etiquette, it is beyond rude to ever use those restrooms unless your child actually needs a large room for you to assist him in his toilet needs. Which obviously he doesn't.

And I agree with the PPs, he has no business in the women's room. And as to another poster that was worried about poop in the urinal next to her son, have she never been to a Disney bathroom?? They can be horrid nasty and poop is the least of the yuck you'll find in the women's room. The men's room is likely in much better shape a good bit of the time.

Sorry - ALL restrooms at Disney World are handicapped ACCESSIBLE, not exclusive. That includes stalls within regular restrooms and the more private and bigger stand alone restrooms.

Have that straight from a physician's mouth about any handicapped stalls or restrooms anywhere in this country.

Just don't use them when someone with more immediate needs is present but certainly don't let them sit not used just because someone "might" need them in the five minutes you will.

Do I want a companion restroom available when my stepmother needs one for my wheelchair bound father? Of course! If my stepmother rolled my father up to one of these and a family of four was in front of them just to clean ice cream off Johnny, I'd be upset. But really, what are the chances that is going to happen? People might be rude but not that rude.

 

[luvmy3]

Would she "go to pieces" seeing a 9 year old outside the restroom? What's the difference? It's a boy. He should be fully dressed, as should she. If my 5 year old went "to pieces" over that, I'd tell her to knock it off and not be such a drama queen. I don't feed into such nonsense.

Maybe you should have read what she wrote about her dd before calling her a drama queen.

I'm not sure how any girl can do her business fully clothed, therefore she may have a feeling of vulnerabilty when there is a male present when she has to remove part of her clothing. But who cares right, as long as your 9 year old boy isn't out of your sight.

 

[Granny square]

That's what my dh does when he takes our four year old girl to the bathroom. Oh the horror. He then uses wipes or santizer to "wash" her hands.

As soon as my daughter could take care of herself she was sent to the ladies room when with dh. My oldest son (the only one who didn't start out with a big brother to take him) was probably 6 in a nice place. But his sister was more mature at 4 than he was at 6 . It wasn't comfortable and I would stand at the door an holler of be took too long. But you have to let your kiddos grow up.

By 9 they all were going away to camps etc. to think they couldn't use a restroom would have been absurd.

There isn't any reason to use a companion restroom for a baby/toddler diaper change. Ever. While accessibility doesn't mean no wait there are only a few companion restrooms where older kids and adults in need can take care of companion stuff. An dozens where the average mom can change her kid

 

[Gracie09]

Would she "go to pieces" seeing a 9 year old outside the restroom? What's the difference? It's a boy. He should be fully dressed, as should she. If my 5 year old went "to pieces" over that, I'd tell her to knock it off and not be such a drama queen. I don't feed into such nonsense.

She was repeatedly and often sexually abused by her father an other male relatives in the bathroom. Her mother chose to stay with her father. She is not a drama queen but has been in therapy for months and will be in therapy for years, and when she left us she was able to be in the same room as my husband but not in the bathroom. He never used "her bathroom". Abuse doesn't just happen to boys. So you need to get over ot

 

[luvmy3]

By 9 they all were going away to camps etc. to think they couldn't use a restroom would have been absurd.

This is what gets me so confused. Maybe the 9 year olds that are being dragged into the woman's restroom don't do these things? Maybe their parents don't let them go anywhere without them.

 

[Granny square]

She was repeatedly and often sexually abused by her father an other male relatives in the bathroom. Her mother chose to stay with her father. She is not a drama queen but has been in therapy for months and will be in therapy for years, and when she left us she was able to be in the same room as my husband but not in the bathroom. He never used "her bathroom". Abuse doesn't just happen to boys. So you need to get over ot

You were good for her if she got that far. I'm so glad.

 

[maxiesmom]

Do I want a companion restroom available when my stepmother needs one for my wheelchair bound father? Of course! If my stepmother rolled my father up to one of these and a family of four was in front of them just to clean ice cream off Johnny, I'd be upset. But really, what are the chances that is going to happen? People might be rude but not that rude.

I would hope people wouldn't be that rude, but after having seen posts before where people suggest the companion restrooms as not only great changing rooms, but as great places for a time out, I'm not holding my breath.

 

[maxiesmom]

And what??? Cover his eyes on the way into and out of the stall? Is he allowed to stop and wash at the PUBLIC sinks?? Ridiculous. He's 9. Get over it.

I've actually seen that, so yes. Why not? If it helps keep the boy safe and protects the girls modesty, why is that such a bad thing? Why can't we have both? Why are the girl's needs disposable?

 

[DisneyDiva8401]

I'm curious as to whether this 9 year old goes to a public school, stays at friends houses, goes to church or anywhere without mom. Surely disney isn't the first time this has been an issue?

 

[cobright]

They are handicapped companion restrooms and they are for those who NEED assistance in the bathroom. ...and if you are concerned about etiquette, it is beyond rude to ever use those restrooms unless your child actually needs a large room for you to assist him in his toilet needs. Which obviously he doesn't.

Nonsense. I asked a CM directly when I had to solo my 7 yr old daughter to the bathroom and she said that was absolutely what they were there for. They are for whenever a disney guest cannot use the bathroom unattended, and that judgement is a child's parent's to make.

 

[darnheather]

I'm curious as to whether this 9 year old goes to a public school, stays at friends houses, goes to church or anywhere without mom. Surely disney isn't the first time this has been an issue?

 

[Gracie09]

Nonsense. I asked a CM directly when I had to solo my 7 yr old daughter to the bathroom and she said that was absolutely what they were there for. They are for whenever a disney guest cannot use the bathroom unattended, and that judgement is a child's parent's to make.

It's not a matter of allowed but common courtesy. Five bathrooms for all the people who need them- confined to wheelchairs, need to cath, etc. vs the hundreds a nondisabled person could use.

 

[maxiesmom]

It's not a matter of allowed but common courtesy. Five bathrooms for all the people who need them- confined to wheelchairs, need to cath, etc. vs the hundreds a nondisabled person could use.

The exact point some people don't seem to get. It is courteous to leave them for those who need them, if at all possible.

 

[mattsdragon]

I don't know about the rest of the guys on here, but when I was 9, I knew the differences between men and women, and already started to appreciate them.

Your son is old enough to use the men's room on his own.

 

[kreckl]

Well obviously many people think that the age that THEIR child started going to the men's room unattended was the right age. Certainly seems like there is no leeway for other people to make that decision for their own family.
What about an airport?
A major league sports stadium?
Epcot on a Saturday night during F and W?
Five year olds are fine? Six?
Every kid is different. Everyone parents differently- and many families do not have a male to escort a little kid to the bathroom. Seriously, if a little boy is using the bathroom and washing his hands its not that big a deal. I would certainly prefer it to having little boys wait outside the ladies room alone while Mom waits in a big line.
Nobody is trying to sneak little peeping Tom Jr in to look at your daughter.

 

[maxiesmom]

Nobody is trying to sneak little peeping Tom Jr in to look at your daughter.

Kids peek. Doesn't mean they are a little creeper, it is pretty normal. But I wouldn't want one peaking at me while I'm taking care of certain issues, and I'm sure my nieces would be even more horrified than I would be.

If it is a security issue for a parent, then that parent should either take them in the stall with them (the best thing) or put them in the stall next to them with strict instructions not to come out before they are told they can. The boys can be safe, and the girls can still have their modesty. Neither side loses.

 

[Gamegrl1]

Just chiming in to say please have your 9-year-old use the men's restroom. Wait outside it if you need to so that you feel safe, but I can tell you nothing negative is going to happen.

It's not appropriate for him to be using the ladies one. I'd feel uncomfortable and be very weirded out.

If he feels uncomfortable about it, just tell him to act like it's normal (because it is!) - go in the men's, do your business, wash and get out. Easy. Maybe practice at a public place like a store or restaurant before you leave home.

 

[Gamegrl1]

Most people won't have a problem with it if you take him into a stall with you. Or put him in the stall next to yours with strict instructions not to come out before you!

Most people will probably be too polite to say anything, while feeling uncomfortable and awkward. I appreciate that you live in a small town (isn't that correct?) but hey...there's no time like the present! A PP (haha) pointed out there are companion restrooms and I agree it would be fabulous to just ask a Cast Member where those are and then this whole issue is case closed.