How old is to old "BOYS" in ladies restroom?

[navyblue8]

What is there to see? Don't all bathrooms have stalls? Its not like taking a girl into the men's room...

 

[Schmeck]

What is there to see? Don't all bathrooms have stalls? Its not like taking a girl into the men's room...

Have you ever tried to change out of wet clothing in a stall? We got soaked on Kali one year, and my young daughters and I changed in the nearest restroom. Changing two girls in one stall was not feasible, and I would not use the larger, accessible stall to do this either. So we changed together by the sinks, so I could put things on the dry counter, not on the wet floor.

 

[Gracie09]

What is there to see? Don't all bathrooms have stalls? Its not like taking a girl into the men's room...

The doors have cracks around them. Some are rather large crack. Serious I have caught glimpses of people while walking by, completely on accident. I have looked up from doing my business to see an eye pressed against the crack. I'm a thirty something woman, I can deal with it but a tween or teen girl may not be as able to do so, not should they. If you are uncomfortable with your son in the stall with you, it is time for him to use the appropriate gender restroom.

 

[nighttowll]

Walt Disney World has companion bathrooms for just this situation. You can give assistance to your daughter and have your son right there with you.

I don't think the issue is Disney. The OP stated that if there are companion/family bathrooms she would use them. I got the impression we are talking everyday life here, when you end up somewhere that doesn't have a family option. A store, the mall, the airport, etc. As someone who had a man stalk her in the airport before, I'd never feel comfortable leaving any kid alone there. Just too many people around. But if we were talking a local book store or grocery store or something I would unless I felt we were in an unsafe area of town.

 

[cjbcam]

I'm not sure what exact age since my son is three but when I worked at the YMCA we were to make any boy over five leave the change room or bathroom. Most places have a single bathroom or family one you can use for reasons like that.

 

[Enchanted4Ever]

It wasn't necessarily just Disney I was talking about it was mostly everyday life also. For example when we are in a grocery store or our local Walmart, movie theater he waits outside most times. We try and use companion restroom when available. But when he took swim lessons and couldn't go in the women's locker room because of obvious reasons, ladies were changing and showering, I had him change his wet clothes in my vehicle/SUV. I would never let my son go in the ladies restroom when people or changing clothes no matter where we are...at Disney or wherever. All I wanted to know was thoughts on him being to old to be in there when there is obvious reasons for concern of him waiting on the outside for an extended period of time. Safety was my main concern. If our surroundings are deemed safe than he will wait outside if not than we will have to explore other options if companion or family restrooms are not readily available. Again like I've stated before It has never been my intention to offend anyone, just the safety of my child. Thanks for your responses, I will take all of them into consideration next time I'm faced with this issue. I have learned there are a lot of different views on this topic and will defiantly keep that in mind also the next time I'm standing in front of the ladies restroom trying to make the "RIGHT" choice.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

as an answer to OP, how would you feel if a father had to take an 8year old daughter in the men's room as he was only parent there? all the same things could happen. father waits outside the ladies room and daughter calls dad I need help then what should he do. same goes for your son if he is in mens room and call for you needing help. there is no good answer

 

[Enchanted4Ever]

as an answer to OP, how would you feel if a father had to take an 8year old daughter in the men's room as he was only parent there? all the same things could happen. father waits outside the ladies room and daughter calls dad I need help then what should he do. same goes for your son if he is in mens room and call for you needing help. there is no good answer

After posting my original question and the responses that I have received, I realize now more than ever before that there really is no good/bad answer. It all depends on that persons view on the issue....
I thank all who have responded with their insight on the topic and will take it all into consideration.

 

[Sheilby]

Hi all! I have a question that's been nagging me. How old is to old for a little boy to continue going in the ladies bathroom with his mom if DH or their dad is not around to take them in the men's bathroom? My DS81/2 doesn't want to go in the ladies restroom anymore but depending on where we are and if I'm alone with him and my DD51/2 who is handicapped I take him with me. It usually takes me a while with DD being in a wheelchair when we are out to get her situated enough to potty and then go myself by that time DS would be long finished in the men's bathroom and standing around outside of it waiting for us. He is little for his age and unfortunately I have the stranger danger issues with him being alone especially at Disney, malls, movies, stores, restaurants, fairs etc.... DH says scope out the situation first which I do and sometimes let him go alone but mostly I take him with me and tell him to face the wall so he doesn't "see" anything. Any suggestions on how to handle this or if anyone is in the same situation please let me know what you do....Thanks

I think 8.5 is really reaching the limit of it being appropriate, but as parents we have to do what we have to do. Ladies rooms already have a long enough line so I don't think he should be using the bathroom in there, but if had to stand right inside the doorway while you take care of your daughter so be it, I don't think he should be near the stalls though.

I do think he should be using the men's room while you wait outside of it whenever possible. I have 3 boys (13, 10 and 6), I do let the 6 year old go into the men's room in MOST places by himself, but I talk to him through the door and I make sure as he enters that anyone in there knows a momma bear is right outside. None of my boys will use a urinal so they don't go near them. Obviously if one of the older boys are around I make them take him in.

Have you ever tried to change out of wet clothing in a stall? We got soaked on Kali one year, and my young daughters and I changed in the nearest restroom. Changing two girls in one stall was not feasible, and I would not use the larger, accessible stall to do this either. So we changed together by the sinks, so I could put things on the dry counter, not on the wet floor.

I admit, I'd be more offended by watching you change out in the open than I would be with an 8 year old boy in the woman's room.

 

[Enchanted4Ever]

I think 8.5 is really reaching the limit of it being appropriate, but as parents we have to do what we have to do. Ladies rooms already have a long enough line so I don't think he should be using the bathroom in there, but if had to stand right inside the doorway while you take care of your daughter so be it, I don't think he should be near the stalls though.

I do think he should be using the men's room while you wait outside of it whenever possible. I have 3 boys (13, 10 and 6), I do let the 6 year old go into the men's room in MOST places by himself, but I talk to him through the door and I make sure as he enters that anyone in there knows a momma bear is right outside. None of my boys will use a urinal so they don't go near them. Obviously if one of the older boys are around I make them take him in.



I will definitely try the "momma bear" thing outside the men's room when he goes in there. Thanks for your insight.

 

[DISNEYNV]

My DS turned six and I take him in to the womens room with me, and probably will if I have to for a few more years. What does it really matter? Its not like a locker room where women are changing, or using the toilet in public. I think I would have more of a problem with my husband taking my daughter into the mens room! Do what you feel is right.

 

[cjbcam]

I think 8.5 is really reaching the limit of it being appropriate, but as parents we have to do what we have to do. Ladies rooms already have a long enough line so I don't think he should be using the bathroom in there, but if had to stand right inside the doorway while you take care of your daughter so be it, I don't think he should be near the stalls though.

I do think he should be using the men's room while you wait outside of it whenever possible. I have 3 boys (13, 10 and 6), I do let the 6 year old go into the men's room in MOST places by himself, but I talk to him through the door and I make sure as he enters that anyone in there knows a momma bear is right outside. None of my boys will use a urinal so they don't go near them. Obviously if one of the older boys are around I make them take him in.

I admit, I'd be more offended by watching you change out in the open than I would be with an 8 year old boy in the woman's room.

It's a woman's bathroom no way I would put my stuff on a gross floor. Why would you be offended you don't have to sit there and watch ?

 

[maxiesmom]

As long as you take him into the stall with you I have no problem with boys in a womens restroom. If he is so old you are embarasses to pee in front of him he no longer belongs in the womens restroom.

 

[Sheilby]

It's a woman's bathroom no way I would put my stuff on a gross floor. Why would you be offended you don't have to sit there and watch ?

I have no desire to see some half naked woman when I walk in the bathroom. There are hooks inside the stalls, no one is telling you to put your clothes on the floor. Doors are our friends.

 

[jclouti]

I have two sons - one is 5 and the other is almost 8. I think that you need to do what is best for *your* child, and that can differ depending on the situation. My 5 year old is in no way old enough to go into the men's room on his own (partly because he is little and can't reach the sink on his own to wash his hands). With my 7 1/2 year old, I assess the situation. Most of the time he is able to go to the men's room by himself, but there are some situations where the idea makes either me or him nervous, and then he stays with me. Safety first. My kids are respectful in the washrooms (no peeking under stalls or between doors) and I've never had anyone give us dirty looks. Good luck, and enjoy your vacation!

 

[Schmeck]

I have no desire to see some half naked woman when I walk in the bathroom. There are hooks inside the stalls, no one is telling you to put your clothes on the floor. Doors are our friends.

You haven't been in the restroom near Kali then, I'm guessing. The floor is always soaked, and how would one put dry things on a hook, wet stuff on a hook, packages on a hook, etc? How many hooks do you think there are in one stall? Plus, all that takes a lot of time, and that holds up the toilet for people who need it.

LOL at the person who would be offended to see a woman taking off a wet T-shirt to put on a dry one, and then taking off wet shorts to put on dry ones. Don't go to any of the water parks, because you'll see a lot worse! (Besides, even though I am in my 40's, I'm in great shape - 25" waist, 5'3" 110 lbs, oh the horror of it )

 

[Granny square]

I'm with your dh. He is a guy, uses the men's room, and was a boy. Mom's can try to shelter rather than push for independence sometimes.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I feel 8.5 is too old. My dd is 9 and I wouldn't make her go to the men's restroom. If he's aware that he's not supposed to be there then he is. I spent 9 days at Disney the first week of October and I saw only one boy of that age in a ladies room and he was helping mom with a set of toddler twins at the changing tables.

Now that said the only "peeker" I had the entire time was a girl.

 

[delilah]

Actually, I have seen more little GIRLS peeping into bathroom stalls than little boys. Most little boys, in my experience, have been welll behaved.

My mom once told me that while she was trying on clothes in a store, there were little girls peeping into the changing stall and laughing at her. Actually, according to my mom, the girls involved were tweens or young teens. So the sensitive,delicate tween/teen snowflakes are guilty as much, if not more, of rude behavior in restrooms/changing rooms, etc, as the rare boy less than 10 years old who needs to go in with mom due to safety concerns.

 

[Granny square]

In January, I swear there were more boys than girls in some of the restrooms. It was kind of weird. Especially after reading the crazy justifications in some of these threads.

I didn't notice any boys or girls poking around.

After a certain point it just isn't good for the boys or for young ladies who have a right to expect a same gender restroom in this country. Lol not all girls are raised with a clan of boys like mine