Girls in the men's room.

[Schmeck]

But what happens if a guy accidently exposes himself in the mens' room - in front of a 6 year old girl, what if he needs to change his pants, etc, and in the middle of changing, a dad brings in his daughter?

You can't always change clothing in a bathroom stall - sometimes there's just not enough room to move around in there, or the floor is icky, etc.

 

[DizBelle]

As being a single parent to a 9 year old boy I am still not 100% comfortable allowing him to go into a public restroom by himself. there are too many weirdos around these days!

However, that being said, if I am at Disney without another male that can bring him into the bathroom, we use the companion restroom, that is the reason they are there.

also, it's easier to bring a boy into the womens room then a guy bring a girl into the mens room I think, but I say do what makes you comfortable!

I'm going to disagree with you here. The companion restrooms are there for those that require assistance in order to use the restroom. They need someone to help them out of their wheelchair, etc. For these folks, the companion restrooms are their ONLY choice of facility to use. I'm sure they would appreciate if those that can use other facilities, do.

I would say that when a child is old/mature enough to perform the task of using the restroom and washing their hands by themselves, then they are old enough to go by themselves. I would think that this would be the age at which you send them to school for a whole day and they have to handle it themselves.

If they still need help "cleaning up", then they need someone to accompany them.

If it is all about how comfortable mom and dad are, then I suppose you wouldn't have a problem with mom bring her 16 year old son into the ladies room with her. After all, this is how she is comfortable. (disclaimer - I'm talking about a typical 16 year old with the maturity of a typical 16 year old. Not someone that might have a disability making their maturity actually much younger than their years of age. Those are special cases.)

 

[jcemom]

It seems that everyone is basing their opinion on the child's ability to use the restroom alone. My 6 year old is more than capable of using the restroom alone. If she had to go then DH could certainly send her into the ladies room while he waited outside the door.

But what if it was the Dad who had to go???

For those of you who are so adamant that this man should not have taken his girls into the restroom, what would you do? Would you leave your young daughter standing outside alone while you used the restroom?

I think if the girl was truly 10, then I might consider leaving her alone for a few minutes, maybe, depending on her maturity level. What if she was 8 and appeared to be 10? People mistake my 11 year old niece for 13 or 14 all the time. DD 6 has a friend, also 6 years old, who could easily be mistaken for 9. I would not feel comfortable leaving an 8 year old girl standing outside a public restroom without an adult.

So if the dad needs to go, then his only options are to take the girls in with him or to use a companion restroom. It seems that no matter what he chooses people will condemn his choice. He can leave a little girl standing outside a public restroom alone, he can take a girl into the mens room and risk her seeing male anatomy or embarassing the men inside, or he can use a restroom intended for the handicapped or impaired and be a villain for it because he isn't impaired.

 

[kim_d]

Seriously, if you bring a "too old" child into an opposite gender restroom people will complain about being uncomfortable and it being "weird", yet if something were to happen to your child while in the restroom by themselves I am absolutely positive their would be people making comments like "I would never let me child use the restroom alone"...etc.

 

[RMulieri]

Only in America do we get all jacked up about bathroom etiquette

 

[DizBelle]

It seems that everyone is basing their opinion on the child's ability to use the restroom alone. My 6 year old is more than capable of using the restroom alone. If she had to go then DH could certainly send her into the ladies room while he waited outside the door.

But what if it was the Dad who had to go???

For those of you who are so adamant that this man should not have taken his girls into the restroom, what would you do? Would you leave your young daughter standing outside alone while you used the restroom?

I think if the girl was truly 10, then I might consider leaving her alone for a few minutes, maybe, depending on her maturity level. What if she was 8 and appeared to be 10? People mistake my 11 year old niece for 13 or 14 all the time. DD 6 has a friend, also 6 years old, who could easily be mistaken for 9. I would not feel comfortable leaving an 8 year old girl standing outside a public restroom without an adult.

So if the dad needs to go, then his only options are to take the girls in with him or to use a companion restroom. It seems that no matter what he chooses people will condemn his choice. He can leave a little girl standing outside a public restroom alone, he can take a girl into the mens room and risk her seeing male anatomy or embarassing the men inside, or he can use a restroom intended for the handicapped or impaired and be a villain for it because he isn't impaired.

If the child is old enough to use the facilities properly by themselves (can clean up, reach sink faucets, wash hands properly, etc) then they should have the maturity to follow direction and wait in specific spot for Dad until he is done.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

I have an 8 year old daughter, and I am stunned by some of these answers because I would be FREAKED OUT if my daughter was in the men's room while others were using the facilities. IMO that is inappropriate and should only happen under extreme circumstances. Being at DW doesn't strike me as one of those circumstances.

If you are to the point where you are willing to take your daughter into the men's room, you are to the point where you should have little problem asking a nicer looking older lady to watch your daughter (in public) while you relieve yourself in the men's room. I have done this many times and have yet to be denied. It's always a small smile followed by "of course, dear."

When you gotta go, you gotta go, but I have never had to go so badly as to have my 8 year old watch other men in the bathroom.
Just my opinion.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

It does seem a bit old to us but can be normal in others cultures or what the situation might be. When I have had my nephews with me I wasn't comfortable with them going to the mens room alone until they were about 8 and took them into the womens until they asked to use the mens then stood at the door talking to them the whole time. So, then a larger more crowded restroom is stressfull if there isn't a chaperone to go with a child.
One time I had my nephews with me out shopping and the 8 year old had and accident in his pants so I took him to the womens room to clean him up.

i notice you are going on your first trip to DW. I am so excited for you! Ours was last year for Halloween. It was FANTASTIC. Going on these boards before your trip is a smart thing to do. You get a lot of info that most don't. Enjoy your trip!

We leave for our second pretty soon, as you can tell from our ticker. Two pieces of advice from one newbie to another: Get Fastpass and don't underestimate the heat.

Have a great time!

 

[NikitaZee]

Child molesters don't look like monsters. They can be respectable looking people, even nice looking older ladies can snatch your child. IMO it has nothing at all to do with how well they can wash their hands or follow directions - it is about their safety. A child can be standing outisde the restroom, right where they were told to wait by their parent, and be taken in an instant. I would never, ever trust a stranger to watch my child -- I do the exact opposite and instruct them not to trust strangers at all - even if they look "nice".

 

[MissMichelle]

I have to agree. I don't think there is anything wrong taking your child into the restroom with you. I am a married father of 2 and if my wife is not with me I have no problem taking my 7 year old daughter into the rest room with me and my son. I'm sorry if this offends some people but it is what it is.. Some of you must think we still live in a cookie cutter world... Times are not the same as they once were. Blame society for taking away childrens innocence not people taking there child to the restroom. I wouldn't do it at my local mall let alone a park with thousands of people. Since I have to walk through a metal detector getting into my daughters elementary school I don't think I am being to protective.

I have to agree 100% with this. I could care less who feels uncomfortable with my choice to bring my child into the restroom so they can be safe. If something were to EVER happen to him then I would be wishing I could have just brushed off the need to make others comfortable. If you teach your child correctly then they won't be staring and trying to catch a peek. If a mother brings her child into the restroom I don't even flinch..Even at work as a manager in a retail setting I see it all the time---even kids as old as 10. I don't say anything---assuming the child isn't looking under my stall when I am doing my business. I have heard too many horror stories and I have to think that these situations can be avoided.

 

[DizBelle]

Child molesters don't look like monsters. They can - and are - respectable looking people, even nice looking older ladies can snatch your child! IMO it has nothing at all to do with how well they can wash their hands or follow directions - it is about their safety!! A child can be standing outisde the restroom, right where they were told to wait by their parent, and be taken in an instant. I would never, ever trust a stranger to watch my child -- I do the exact opposite and instruct them not to trust strangers at all - even if they look "nice".

Anybody of any age can be taken in an instant. But I'm not going to go into the men's room with my DH just to ensure it won't happen.

If you don't allow your child to take on responsibility and function as an adult, they never will.

 

[MissMichelle]

If the child is old enough to use the facilities properly by themselves (can clean up, reach sink faucets, wash hands properly, etc) then they should have the maturity to follow direction and wait in specific spot for Dad until he is done.

how mature is mature enough to be able to fight someone off should someone try and kidnap your child outside a restroom door. It happens and I don't think knowing how to properly clean themselves has anything to do with it.

 

[jcemom]

If the child is old enough to use the facilities properly by themselves (can clean up, reach sink faucets, wash hands properly, etc) then they should have the maturity to follow direction and wait in specific spot for Dad until he is done.

how mature is mature enough to be able to fight someone off should someone try and kidnap your child outside a restroom door. It happens and I don't think knowing how to properly clean themselves has anything to do with it.

Exactly.

My 6 year old would never walk away without permission. That would not stop someone from picking her up and carrying her away. She weighs all of 38 pounds.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

how mature is mature enough to be able to fight someone off should someone try and kidnap your child outside a restroom door. It happens and I don't think knowing how to properly clean themselves has anything to do with it.

This argument seems to be getting a little heated and taken out of context. One thing I think we can all agree on is that the chances of a molester actaully TAKING A CHILD from a bathroom line at DW are remote at best. I mean, how many militant, molester-attacking parents would it take to deter an attempt to harm a kid wating in line for his or her parent?

I, for one, would respond instantly if I heard a child say something along the lines of "This is not my daddy." I would be (and I suspect thousands of others would be) on top of it. No questions asked.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

This seems to be one of those cultural differences you run into in a place like WDW where you have lots of people from Europe, Asia, etc. itermingling with us Americans. Is 10 a little old? Perhaps. But some on this thread have mentioned 5 or so as a cutoff. Assuming only one parent is present, I don't really have an issue with someone bringing their young child into the restroom with them. What are they supposed to do, leave a small child unattended outside while they go?

 

[DizBelle]

how mature is mature enough to be able to fight someone off should someone try and kidnap your child outside a restroom door. It happens and I don't think knowing how to properly clean themselves has anything to do with it.

A small female adult would unlikely be able to fight off an attacker too. Should they go in the men's room with a large male relative?

 

[Emagine]

If the child is old enough to use the facilities properly by themselves (can clean up, reach sink faucets, wash hands properly, etc) then they should have the maturity to follow direction and wait in specific spot for Dad until he is done.

To look at my son you see all of the above. But to know him and the autistic mind he is he is not capable of understanding stranger danger or anything above and beyond that. What you see can be very much different from what is really there. Never judge another situation by the cover of your own book based on your visual standards.

We always parent our kids to the restrooms at Disney or anywhere for that matter. Sometimes in the Family ones, sometimes they cant wait.

 

[eastcarolinafan]

To look at my son you see all of the above. But to know him and the autistic mind he is he is not capable of understanding stranger danger or anything above and beyond that. What you see can be very much different from what is really there. Never judge another situation by the cover of your own book based on your visual standards.

We always parent our kids to the restrooms at Disney or anywhere for that matter. Sometimes in the Family ones, sometimes they cant wait.

Of course. But clearly the majority of people in a standard bathroom line at DW are not facing those challenges.

 

[MusiqChic99]

I put my child's safety first...the uncomfortable strangers take a backseat.

If at an older age, I send my son in the bathroom by himself. If he's in there more then it takes to do the business, I'd be taking myself in the bathroom to look for him and make sure he's ok. And I wouldn't think twice about the men in there and how they felt about it.

We dont live in a time where you can just be too carefree about your child. As sad as it is...I would much rather be overprotective in this situation then not.

 

[stella27]

Since we just never know what kind of sickos are out there lurking in the bushes waiting to abduct and molest children, I have decided to keep them with me at all times and attach them to me with bungee cords. That way they will grow up physically safe and psychologically unimpaired, right?

In seriousness, I think there is a difference in a child (even an older one) who needs assistance to have a parent with them and this out-of-control fear of child molesters that abounds in our society. Most pedophiles will offend in secret - on children they know. Not in a WDW restroom that is full of parents and decent human beings with witnesses.