How old is too old (regarding restrooms and kids)?

[nuttylawprofessor]

At 10, it's time to let the kid use the restroom on his own. My friend will thank you for keeping him out of the women's room. It's hot in Florida, and sometimes she likes to adjust her head scarf. She would rather not have to worry about an older boy wandering into the restroom disturbing her privacy and modesty.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Just curious, for those that think it is ok for a 10 yo to enter the ladies room, what is the cutoff age? 11, 12 15?

As a woman, I do not want to see boys of that age in the ladies room. Sorry, stall doors aren't gap free and i would not appreciate having peepers

 

[3_disprincesses]

Just curious, for those that think it is ok for a 10 yo to enter the ladies room, what is the cutoff age? 11, 12 15?

As a woman, I do not want to see boys of that age in the ladies room. Sorry, stall doors aren't gap free and i would not appreciate having peepers

Better than I could have said it...Thank You!

 

[3_disprincesses]

At 10, it's time to let the kid use the restroom on his own. My friend will thank you for keeping him out of the women's room. It's hot in Florida, and sometimes she likes to adjust her head scarf. She would rather not have to worry about an older boy wandering into the restroom disturbing her privacy and modesty.

And there are times when women are adjusting all kinds of things in there! Things you're not too modest to do in front of other women but you certainly wouldn't want a boy to walk in and see!

 

[tjbaggott]

I had to comment on the comments about how a child of a certain age should know how to handle himself/stand up for himself /call for help, ect...if anything bad did happen. We would all think that teaching our children about what to do in these situations will protect them. BUT NO ONE can predict how one will react if such a situation actually presented itself. No one can predict weather or not a child will freeze, be SO scared they'll do what ever the other person is telling them to do especially if a threat is involved.

Recently, my friends two boys, ages 15 and 16yrs were walking home in daylight from a corner store. A car pulled up, two guys got out while another two remained in the car. The two that got out of the car quickly walked up to my friends boys (I'll call them M and J), and demanded their cells phones, wallets and ipods. THey were told to DO what the thugs said, or get beaten. M & J handed over everything. THen the thugs told them to turn and walk away and don't look back or they'd run them over with the car. M & J, turned and ran. THey ran the 5 blocks home, never looking back. This was in broad daylight in a neighbourhood full of homes with SOMEONE HOME. THese thugs had no idea were J & M lived. These boys should have run to the first home with a car in the driveway, for help, called police from there. By the time they got home, and the police were called, those thugs were long gone, gone on to to do this same thing several other days, in the same neighbourhood, and still haven't been caught. There were other things M & J could have done and stayed safe, but they never thought of those, the fear blocked their thinking.

They were 15 and 16. To imagine a 10 year old in a frightening situation, freezing like that, there is a GOOD chance they wouldn't be able to help themselves or get help right away. Normally I"d say a 10 year old is too old to use a ladies bathroom, But Disney World is such a Huge Place. You did mention he is quite tall for his age? I can see his prescence in a ladies room making others uncomfortable. But being the parent of boys myself, I think I'd really try to find a family facility, or have Grandma stand right outside the men's room door. Check in every few minutes by calling his name or nickname into there letting him know ahead of time to respond with a YES or Almost done.

Doesn't it suck that we even have to think of these issues? Even in Disney World!

 

[SueM in MN]

There are family restrooms at Disney. We used them when we were there last time (If I remember right there is one right by Splash Mountain). They have the Adult and child pics on them, and we werent the only family using them. They have changing tables and if I remember right child size toilets in them.

This is the picture of door of a the Companion Restroom at the Studio:

The doors to the restrooms and the 'frame' for the sign are themed differently depending on where the restroom is, but all have this same sign. None at WDW have a picture of an adult and a child. Only some of the Companion Restrooms have changing tables in them.

I think you are confusing the Companion Restrooms with the restroom in the Baby Care Center. Those are the only restrooms in any of the parks that have child size toilets.

I respectfully disagree. The signs on the companion restroom do not have a family symbol. This is not the symbol on the companion restrooms. http://www.exitsignwarehouse.com/product/ESW-ADA-F.html
They have a wheel chair symbol and a male and female symbol.

Since Disney lists these restrooms in the guide for disabilites, I think there intent is clear. Although I do know many people prefer to use them just because it is "easier" for them personally. (Not directed at anyone, just in general)

To quote Sue the Disabilities Moderator:

"For some people, the Companion Restrooms are the only 4-6 toilets in the park that they are able to use.
So, speaking for people who have no other choice, I only ask that people think of what options they might have besides using the Companion Restrooms. If there are other options you can use, we would appreciate if you would choose another option and leave the Companion Restrooms for the people who have no other choices and can only use those 4-6 toilets."

Thank you for quoting me. As mentioned, there are only 4-6 Companion Restrooms per park. Besides people with wheelchairs which may not fit into the regular restroom stalls, there are adults who need help from an opposite sex adult using the Companion Restrooms, people with an older child with autism or another condition that makes using the 'regular' restroom stall difficult if not impossible, just to mention a few of the people with disabilities who use the Companion Restrooms.

It may seem like the Companion Restrooms are "all over" (as quite a few people have posted), but there really are very few of them in any of the parks, especially if they are the only toilet a guest can use.
There are many people who do not have any options other than these 4-6 toilets, so all I ask is that people consider whether or not they have other options.
And, please, if you do, choose to use another option and leave the Companion Restrooms for people who have no choice.

 

[Leajess99]

Sorry, but I'm in the minority here. I havea 9 1/2 year old who still comes into the Ladies room with me. There is NO WAY I am letting him go in by himself yet at a public place that I can not monitor. Molestation can happen very quickly. We have heard of several cases - in our area - of young boys (7-11) going into restrooms and being "touched" by older males. Sorry, that's not a chance I'm willing to take.

My son isn't embarrased. I have explained to him that it is for his safety. No one else should feel uncomfortable either. Everything that you are doing in there is behind a closed door. It's not like you are standing at a urinal in a mens room with everything hanging out. He does not bend down and look under the walls, he just takes care of his buisiness and we leave.

This statement absolutely kills me when people are trying to justify why a woman or girl should not feel embarassed about an older boy being in the bathroom. I have not seen many public bathrooms where the stall doors are completely solid doors where there is not even as much as a space that you can see through. Most stall doors do have a space between which some can see through.
It is very embarassing to my daughters and other girls I know to have a boy their age in the bathroom with them. My girls are actually to the point where the youngest will make a loud comment about the boy in the girl's bathroom (they do have an older brother and by 7 he was using the men's bathroom alone with me near the door) while my older dd will refuse to go the bathroom. Some of these girls are going through puberty and already self conscious about that and now they have to deal with boys their age going to the bathroom as well.

 

[Leajess99]

You're wrong! Your daughter has the right to step out and wait. You have the right to keep her locked up at home, away from anything and anyone who might not wish to allow you to be the all-powerful-ruler-of-the-universe.

You do not have the right to tell another parent- any other parent- how to raise their children.

Don't be ridiculous- this is not an issue of a boy being in a women's bathroom alone. He is traveling with a group of women.

If your daughter is so emotionally fragile that seeing a 10 year old boy in a girls bathroom would cause her distress you might want to consider counseling.

Deleted as poster is not even worth the time. Obvious it just wanted to start a heated debate.

 

[rie'smom]

I asked my friend who is a ride manager CM and she told me that the companion restrooms are like the handicapped restrooms- handicap accessible and not handicap only.

In the OP's case, I think the companion restroom is a good alternative.

Or tell him to hold it or go in the bushes.

 

[Disneymommy2006]

Not to add fuel to this fire....but I think that everyone here should be aware that boys (yes even 10 year olds) are often preyed upon by sick men in public restrooms. This is not typically an issue with young girls in women's public restrooms. Theme parks are locations where these sick men would know that they could find or target young boys. I have an 8 year old and a 5 year old boy and I am very conscious about this! Read James Dobson's Bringing Up Boys and you will understand some the statistics here...we must protect our children!!!!! Having said that, I will say that they usually go in with their dad into the Men's room...However, if they are with me (and dad is not along) and there's no family restroom....I take them with me in the women's. Luckily, when this has occurred the restrooms have been empty (at the mall, etc....we've never faced this at Disney) However if I were a single mom or put in a situation where I had no other choice, I would die if another young girl yelled out..."there's a boy in here...." or something like that in front of my two boys...that is just teaching a child to be rude!!!!!! We are very careful to consider others and I teach my boys this....I just wish others would do the same!!!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think for most places (WDW included), most 10 year olds should be fine in bathroom alone for a few minutes. Stand right outside and at WDW be very sure there is only one way in and out. There are a few bathrooms that have more than one door. Have the ladies go quicky while he does and make sure that he knows exactly where to wait. Of course if he can not for some reason be expected to follow these rules and you never leave him alone anywhere, take him in.

DS and I were traveling about 5 years ago when he was 12 and had to stop at a rest stop around late eveing and I just was not ok with him going in there alone. What I did was wait till the ladies was empty and sent him in and stood at the door and informed anyone that he was in there and would,be right out. It only took a 1/2 minute!!! No problems with anyone so if everyone can act like adults everything can be fine!!!!

 

[WantToGoNow]

I was at a movie theatre very early the other morning (Harry Potter) and a woman came in with her young daughter and her not so young son who was probably 10-11 (he was taller than me). You could tell by the look on that young man's face that he was very embarassed to be in there. I also saw several women walk in, see him standing there, and walk back out. My ds is 8 and he would wet himself before he would go in the women's restroom.

If you can't let him go alone, then use the companion restrooms or the baby centers.

 

[Schmeck]

If you can't let him go alone, then use the companion restrooms or the baby centers.

I think that would be the best solution - go to the child care center at each park and use the restrooms there.

 

[mjkacmom]

Not to add fuel to this fire....but I think that everyone here should be aware that boys (yes even 10 year olds) are often preyed upon by sick men in public restrooms. This is not typically an issue with young girls in women's public restrooms. Theme parks are locations where these sick men would know that they could find or target young boys. I have an 8 year old and a 5 year old boy and I am very conscious about this! Read James Dobson's Bringing Up Boys and you will understand some the statistics here...we must protect our children!!!!! Having said that, I will say that they usually go in with their dad into the Men's room...However, if they are with me (and dad is not along) and there's no family restroom....I take them with me in the women's. Luckily, when this has occurred the restrooms have been empty (at the mall, etc....we've never faced this at Disney) However if I were a single mom or put in a situation where I had no other choice, I would die if another young girl yelled out..."there's a boy in here...." or something like that in front of my two boys...that is just teaching a child to be rude!!!!!! We are very careful to consider others and I teach my boys this....I just wish others would do the same!!!!

Often? Like 1 out of 3 times? Ds11 has been using public restrooms since about the age of 7, so I guess he lucked out. He goes into the stall, locks the door, does his business, walks out, washes his hands (and this is the part I worry about - I'm hoping he washes his hands), and walks out. He has been told to yell if approached, but it hasn't happened yet (I guess he's one of the lucky ones). However, I'd imagine that a 13 year old who has been told, all of his life, of the dangers lurking in the mens room, would be a likely target for a child molester.

 

[RMulieri]

I would let him go into the Mens room and wait by the mens room door

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Often? Like 1 out of 3 times? Ds11 has been using public restrooms since about the age of 7, so I guess he lucked out. He goes into the stall, locks the door, does his business, walks out, washes his hands (and this is the part I worry about - I'm hoping he washes his hands), and walks out. He has been told to yell if approached, but it hasn't happened yet (I guess he's one of the lucky ones). However, I'd imagine that a 13 year old who has been told, all of his life, of the dangers lurking in the mens room, would be a likely target for a child molester.

I've noticed alot of posters saying that they've told their boys to yell if they're in danger or approached and I want to comment on that. When I was a child I used to walk home from school for lunch, about 2 blocks. One day when I was 10 I was walking back to the school and there was a flower shop van parked in a spot next to the sidewalk. As I was passing it a man called to me from the van so I walked over to him (he's an adult, you don't be rude to an adult). He asked me my name and I answered, then he told me to get in, but I was freaked out enough to back away and continue walking (didn't run as I should have) to school. Once I got to school I told my BFF about it, she said tell the teacher, but I was embarrassed (not sure why) so I wouldn't. When I got home from school I finally burst into tears and after alot of prodding told my mom who called the police. My point is, we teach our kids to respect adults and they can't always tell when they're in danger. And what if the man is bigger and threatens them if they yell? You would never know anything was happening.

Those of you worried about a child peeking in the gap between the door (really?) the boys aren't any happier about being there than you are about them there. Usually when I see boys in there they are looking at their feet or making faces in the mirrors. And there's hardly room across from the stalls for someone to stand, they more or less have to be off to the side over by the door or sinks.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Those of you worried about a child peeking in the gap between the door (really?) the boys aren't any happier about being there than you are about them there. Usually when I see boys in there they are looking at their feet or making faces in the mirrors. And there's hardly room across from the stalls for someone to stand, they more or less have to be off to the side over by the door or sinks.

I've just been readig along here, twiddling my thumbs and minding my own...but THANK YOU. I understand what it is to be a young girl in a public restroom with a boy in it. I'm sure we all have...can you honestly remember it REALLY bothering you? IDK...maybe I was just never ver sensitive.

But they don't have to stand directly in front of the stalls. Off to the side is a good place for them.

Butto each his own I suppose...But personally...I wouldn't be offended.

 

[stella27]

I am sorry to those who were victims of crime or abuse. It *does* happen. However, it doesn't happen every time a child uses the restroom and is more likely to happen in secret - by someone that you know - than in a public place - like a theme park restroom filled with dads.

The chances of this happening to your son are very, very small. Lots of boys, lots of decent men in the parks and restrooms, statistically very few perverts, and the odds are so slim of this happening. I believe we have become a paranoid society when we stop letting our older boys even use the restroom on their own.

Your child's risk of being molested in the bathroom at WDW is very small. The fact that you expose women and girls to a violation of their own privacy is 100%. Find a family/companion restroom; find a dad to take your kid into the men's; wait outside the door; empower your kid to yell "don't touch me" or "I need help" - there are all kinds of things moms can do to minimize the already-minuscule chance of molestation.

I work in this sector - prosecuting child sex abuse among other felonies - and even I think that dragging older boys into the ladies room is ridiculous and over-the-top paranoid.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I am sorry to those who were victims of crime or abuse. It *does* happen. However, it doesn't happen every time a child uses the restroom and is more likely to happen in secret - by someone that you know - than in a public place - like a theme park restroom filled with dads.

This is very true... people have a tendancy to forget that.

 

[livndisney]

Those of you worried about a child peeking in the gap between the door (really?) the boys aren't any happier about being there than you are about them there. Usually when I see boys in there they are looking at their feet or making faces in the mirrors. And there's hardly room across from the stalls for someone to stand, they more or less have to be off to the side over by the door or sinks.

Yes, REALLY! My DD and I have both been "peeked" at, she has been yelled at by a mom becuase she kicked the "little angel" in the head when he stuck his head under the door of her stall. She has been knocked to the ground by boys playing tag in the restroom. (And ALL of this happened at WDW) So if you feel you need your son in the restroom with you, they need to be WITH you not terrorizing others.