Girls in the men's room.

[kim_d]

Yippie! It's a new bathroom thread .



Stella, you are 100% correct. The fact is that a child is by far more likely to be molested by someone they know and trust and NOT a stranger. The problem is that you and I are trying to rationalize with the "Better Safe Than Sorry Parenting" crowd who is consumed with irrational fears of Boogiemen who lurk in every corner of WDW.

And for those of you who asked ... I have left my 9-year old DD alone outside of a WDW restroom while I used it. She didn't need to go and there was no reason for her to walk in and hang out by the sinks while I used the toilet.

I am under no illusions about the threat to my children. I recommend all parents read "Protecting the Gift" by Gavin de Becker. I am a pretty laid back parent- my children play outside (sometimes even without my supervision). However, there are certain restroom situation where I do not feel comfortable allowing my 6yo DS to be alone...whether you think that is irrational or not doesn't matter to me personally.

 

[pioneer89]

In the 54-years since Disneyland opened, there has never been a child abducted inside any of the DLR or WDW theme parks. I've never heard of a child or an adult being molested inside one of the parks, either.

I'm not saying that you should be careless, or that you should ever let your guard down. I'm not even saying that kids should not be taking into opposite-sex restrooms when there is nobody to watch them outside while the parent uses the restroom. But being so completely paranoid about something that has such a small likelihood of ever happening is counter-productive; it distracts your attention from other, more pressing dangers.

With all of this discussion, let me ask another loaded question - how many of you who are fine with kids being taken into opposite sex restrooms would be in favor of simply abolishing the two-gender restroom system and having unisex restrooms throughout WDW property?

Full out abductions are rare because the molesters know getting out of the park is problematic. Much more likely is the 'toucher' or picture taker. Taking simple, zero-effort precautions against these people is neither paranoid, nor is it counter-productive. How exactly does it distract my attention from other dangers?

 

[NikitaZee]

"Better safe than sorry" is an old gem of wisdom.

 

[robinb]

I am under no illusions about the threat to my children. I recommend all parents read "Protecting the Gift" by Gavin de Becker. I am a pretty laid back parent- my children play outside (sometimes even without my supervision). However, there are certain restroom situation where I do not feel comfortable allowing my 6yo DS to be alone...whether you think that is irrational or not doesn't matter to me personally.

I have read and also recommend "Protecting the Gift". Gavin de Becker would be the first person to say that many parents dwell on irrational debilitating fears and his book helps parents focus on real and actual danger.

In your case, your 6-year old son is much different than a 9-10 year old child: Kindergartner v/s 5th Grader. I *do* think that kids should start using their gender specific bathrooms at about 6-7 but I understand that they might not do it all the time. I don't think twice about seeing a 6 year old boy in the ladies room. FWIW, there are certain bathroom situations where I also feel uncomfortable sending my DD in alone ... highway rest stops, the ladies room at the Cubs games, etc. But I can't think of any of them at WDW.

 

[pilferk]

FWIW, there are certain bathroom situations where I also feel uncomfortable sending my DD in alone ... highway rest stops, the ladies room at the Cubs games, etc. But I can't think of any of them at WDW.

But see, there's the rub. What you might be comfortable with, someone else might not be. And what they might be comfortable with, YOU might not be. I don't think that speaks to "irrational", at all, though...just different perspectives and comfort levels.

I don't think minimizing risk is being a victim of "debillitatating, irrational fears". It's taking zero effort precautions to ensure what minimal risk there IS, is further minimized to the best of my ability. I think every parent does that.

 

[ParrotBill]

3 arrests for molestation in Disney water parks in last few weeks, 2 others in nearby non-Disney parks.

An employee who commented without being identified said it has been a long standing problem, which gets more media attention now than it would have in the past.

We never let our daughter out of our sight in a public place until she was 7, then allowed her in the ladies room only with one of us standing at the door to hear.

We are thankful she is almost 10 and not yet testing us for independence. We are happy to wait until 13 or 14 before we let her loose with a friend, older before alone if we can manage it.

 

[pioneer89]

Yippie! It's a new bathroom thread .



Stella, you are 100% correct. The fact is that a child is by far more likely to be molested by someone they know and trust and NOT a stranger. The problem is that you and I are trying to rationalize with the "Better Safe Than Sorry Parenting" crowd who is consumed with irrational fears of Boogiemen who lurk in every corner of WDW.

And for those of you who asked ... I have left my 9-year old DD alone outside of a WDW restroom while I used it. She didn't need to go and there was no reason for her to walk in and hang out by the sinks while I used the toilet.

I don't see any reason for you to mock people like this.

I'm not "consumed with irrational fears", I'm not bungee cording my child to myself. I'm simply keeping my eyes on my kids while I reasonably can. It takes no effort from me, and it takes nothing away from you if I do it.

 

[tinkerbell_xo]

I think every parent should just do what they feel is best for their child.
If they think their child might wander off or someone might abduct them while mommy or daddy are going to the washroom, then by all means take them in with you. A parent/guardian is the only person that knows their child and what they think is best for them.

So I say, if you see a child/tween, whatever it might be, in the opposite gender's washroom with a parent, just continue what you're doing and leave when you're finished. Don't give dirty looks and don't make ignorant comments. You have NO idea what that person's situation is and you have no right to judge.

IF this is just an over protective parents who keeps their child on a leash, who cares! Some of you seem concerned that this child won't be able to function as a normal adult if the parents are over protective and don't let them use the washroom alone, but who are you to try and fix this? If the kid ends up living with mommy and daddy till he's 40 WHO CARES! It is what it is.

My dad is a really easy going, laid back guy. I remember having to go to the washroom once or twice when it was just him and I at hockey games or baseball games and I wasn't old enough to go alone. This was the ONLY time he took on a serious face and gave me strict instructions, "DON'T look around, hold my hand and head STRAIGHT for a stall!"

Sometimes you have to do things that aren't ideal, but are the best or even ONLY option at the time.

 

[Tink888]

To this day I don't really like my sons going into the men's room alone when DH isn't with us. I probably look like a stalker myself because I'm always waiting RIGHT outside the men's room door and will even holler in there if the boys aren't out in a certain amount of time. It's a scary world we live in.

For me personally, I'd be uncomfortable going into (or, if I were a man, taking my daughter) into the men's room mainly because of the urinals (no stalls). I don't want to see anything and those guys deserve a certain amount of privacy since everything's out in the open.

On the other hand, I have no problem with boys (or even Dads bringing their daughters) into the ladies room. Maybe it stems from having sons and having to bring them into the ladies room with me when they were small but I just don't get what the big deal is. There is nothing but stalls. The only thing the boys or men are going to see is hand washing, hair combing, etc with the exception of a baby being changed. As long as nobody's face is plastered up against the crack of the stall peaking in while I do my thing, have at it. I figure they're probably more uncomfortable being in there than I am anyway.

 

[webstah]

In the 54-years since Disneyland opened, there has never been a child abducted inside any of the DLR or WDW theme parks. I've never heard of a child or an adult being molested inside one of the parks, either.

True it wasn't one of the parks, but a couple of years ago, police were alerted to some child pornography, specifically a 2 or 3 year old little girl.
From the images, they were able to deduce that the filming took place in one of Disney's resort hotels in Florida.
Through the media, they released a face picture of the little girl, tryng to find her.
It turns out, she is from New Hampshire.
Her father acme forward to identify her, and it turns out, she was at Disney World with her GRANDFATHER.
The man's FATHER took his grand daughter to Disney and filmed himself molesting her!
He was sentenced to prison I beleive, but one thing is for certain, his son will never talk to the father again!
If taking a child into an opposite sex bathroom prevents ONE family from having to endure anything like that, then by all means protect your children!

 

[pilferk]

I think every parent should just do what they feel is best for their child.
If they think their child might wander off or someone might abduct them while mommy or daddy are going to the washroom, then by all means take them in with you. A parent/guardian is the only person that knows their child and what they think is best for them.

So I say, if you see a child/tween, whatever it might be, in the opposite gender's washroom with a parent, just continue what you're doing and leave when you're finished. Don't give dirty looks and don't make ignorant comments. You have NO idea what that person's situation is and you have no right to judge.

IF this is just an over protective parents who keeps their child on a leash, who cares! Some of you seem concerned that this child won't be able to function as a normal adult if the parents are over protective and don't let them use the washroom alone, but who are you to try and fix this? If the kid ends up living with mommy and daddy till he's 40 WHO CARES! It is what it is.

My dad is a really easy going, laid back guy. I remember having to go to the washroom once or twice when it was just him and I at hockey games or baseball games and I wasn't old enough to go alone. This was the ONLY time he took on a serious face and gave me strict instructions, "DON'T look around, hold my hand and head STRAIGHT for a stall!"

Sometimes you have to do things that aren't ideal, but are the best or even ONLY option at the time.

I am standing up and applauding!

Bravo!

 

[Sammie]

Have to agree with Pilferk that some have an unreasonable assumption that Disney World is a safe haven for kids.

If you would not let your kids go to the bathroom alone in other situations, you best follow that plan at Disney World.

Regardless of the magical feel, Disney World is visited by millions of people and not all are kind and good.

Many instances of problems never make it to the news.

My niece was sexually approached at the age of 15 by a cast member. Yes we reported it and hopefully he was fired.

But the Disney World we knew 10 or even 5 years ago does not exisit.

 

[kim_d]

I have read and also recommend "Protecting the Gift". Gavin de Becker would be the first person to say that many parents dwell on irrational debilitating fears and his book helps parents focus on real and actual danger.

In your case, your 6-year old son is much different than a 9-10 year old child: Kindergartner v/s 5th Grader. I *do* think that kids should start using their gender specific bathrooms at about 6-7 but I understand that they might not do it all the time. I don't think twice about seeing a 6 year old boy in the ladies room. FWIW, there are certain bathroom situations where I also feel uncomfortable sending my DD in alone ... highway rest stops, the ladies room at the Cubs games, etc. But I can't think of any of them at WDW.

My response was more to address the tone of the previous posts...that all parents who won't allow children into the bathroom alone are irrational, which simply isn't the case. Like I said sometimes I allow it and sometimes I don't, but I wouldn't categorize all parents who are more cautious as irrational.

 

[NikitaZee]

I think every parent should just do what they feel is best for their child.
If they think their child might wander off or someone might abduct them while mommy or daddy are going to the washroom, then by all means take them in with you. A parent/guardian is the only person that knows their child and what they think is best for them.

So I say, if you see a child/tween, whatever it might be, in the opposite gender's washroom with a parent, just continue what you're doing and leave when you're finished. Don't give dirty looks and don't make ignorant comments. You have NO idea what that person's situation is and you have no right to judge.

IF this is just an over protective parents who keeps their child on a leash, who cares! Some of you seem concerned that this child won't be able to function as a normal adult if the parents are over protective and don't let them use the washroom alone, but who are you to try and fix this? If the kid ends up living with mommy and daddy till he's 40 WHO CARES! It is what it is.

My dad is a really easy going, laid back guy. I remember having to go to the washroom once or twice when it was just him and I at hockey games or baseball games and I wasn't old enough to go alone. This was the ONLY time he took on a serious face and gave me strict instructions, "DON'T look around, hold my hand and head STRAIGHT for a stall!"

Sometimes you have to do things that aren't ideal, but are the best or even ONLY option at the time.

I agree with everything you said!

 

[robinb]

My response was more to address the tone of the previous posts...that all parents who won't allow children into the bathroom alone are irrational, which simply isn't the case. Like I said sometimes I allow it and sometimes I don't, but I wouldn't categorize all parents who are more cautious as irrational.

I never said that cautious parents are irrational.

 

[kim_d]

Yippie! It's a new bathroom thread .



Stella, you are 100% correct. The fact is that a child is by far more likely to be molested by someone they know and trust and NOT a stranger. The problem is that you and I are trying to rationalize with the "Better Safe Than Sorry Parenting" crowd who is consumed with irrational fears of Boogiemen who lurk in every corner of WDW.
And for those of you who asked ... I have left my 9-year old DD alone outside of a WDW restroom while I used it. She didn't need to go and there was no reason for her to walk in and hang out by the sinks while I used the toilet.

This is the comment I was addressing was about those parents consumed irrational fears at WDW. My point, was just b/c a parent doesn't allow a young child to use the restroom alone at WDW doesn't mean they are consumed with irrational fear.

 

[DizBelle]

True it wasn't one of the parks, but a couple of years ago, police were alerted to some child pornography, specifically a 2 or 3 year old little girl.
From the images, they were able to deduce that the filming took place in one of Disney's resort hotels in Florida.
Through the media, they released a face picture of the little girl, tryng to find her.
It turns out, she is from New Hampshire.
Her father acme forward to identify her, and it turns out, she was at Disney World with her GRANDFATHER.
The man's FATHER took his grand daughter to Disney and filmed himself molesting her!
He was sentenced to prison I beleive, but one thing is for certain, his son will never talk to the father again!
If taking a child into an opposite sex bathroom prevents ONE family from having to endure anything like that, then by all means protect your children!

Uh, this child was molested by her grandfather. This would have happened regardless of what bathroom the child went in.

I guess I don't get what this story has to do with this thread. It wasn't a stranger in the opposite sex restroom that harmed the child. It was their own grandfather. That a whole different thread.

 

[going/again]

Luvmic-Your not old fashioned at all. 10 years old is TOO old for a girl to be going to the men's room--

I'd rather the parents took them in than hear someone had taken them,
the worlds not what it was anymore, any parent doing what they think is safest for there kids is ok by me

 

[Purseval]

Hehe, when I first saw this I th0ought it was about women who were impatient with the lines at the ladies room so they went into the men's room. I've seen that plenty of times but never at WDW.

 

[lampshadehead]

At my workplace, which also happens to have a daycare and preschool inside the building, there is womens restroom with 5 stalls and one handicapped stall. Being the light-footed person that I am, I walked in and surprised a man that was peaking into an occupied stall, he ran into the handicapped room and locked the door when he saw me. He was also naked. I called to the woman to come out and told her, we ran out and called security. He was arrested, wearing a dirty trench coat and sweatpants. Come to find out, this guy was a level 3 (worst kind) sex offender with multiple convictions and he had a warrant out on him at that time. Anybody could have encountered this man including any of the children that are in and out of the building.
Fast forward three months later: Kmart, bring my daughter and her friend into womens room. While we are washing our hands, in the mirror I see behind me appears a man. Smiling. The girls were confused, and I was freaked. We told an employee and when the man was confronted he said he didnt speak English and was sorry. This IMO, wasnt an excuse since the signs on the door are universal.
So you can call it irrational all you want, but these things do happen. I would rather go home safely with my family intact, then worry about some funny looks.