how old to use bathrooms alone?

[txloopnlil]

At what age would you let kids use the bathroom alone (or with another child) at WDW? Or alternatively -at what ages should a child be using (or not) an opposite sex toilet? Does it matter if they are boys or girls?

I'm a mom traveling with my (F) cousin and my 5 y.o. old twin boys - no older males. The boys are starting to rebel against going in the ladies room with mom or "Aunt C".

They use the "boys" room by themselves (as a pair) in our McD's, local restaurants, stores, etc. Those are typically small restrooms and I wait outside, or can see the door. I haven't let them go alone into restrooms in parks, baseball stadiums, etc, but they are pushing me to let them do so.

 

[mjkacmom]

6 or 7? I've let ds6 into the restroom alone at certain places (private pool club, empty store bathroom, etc.), but I don't think I'd let him go in crowded bathrooms alone yet (sports stadiums, movie theaters...). I let him go with ds10 at WDW a couple of years ago. I think by the time they're 8, it's really time (a girl - 6?).

 

[tassma]

You can't judge me for this post. My DS(5) is very independent and HATES going in the women's restroom. So, at a quiet day in California Adventure, I let him go in the men's room alone. I was like a hawk watching everyone and listening for anything inappropriate. Sure enough, I heard my sweet boy starting yelling "Mommy, I'm done" over and over again. He hadn't done that in at least a year, but this was the day for a reprise. Anyway, I asked a man and his young son to please explain to my son that I couldn't come in. A minute later out comes my son. I think I will wait a bit longer to try again.

 

[trennr]

My sons are 14 and 9...and I'm still uncomfortable about sending them alone.

 

[brockash]

For me it really depends on how busy it is, and making sure there's only one way in and one way out, and I'd have to be standing right at the exit (in other words, I wouldn't be going to the bathroom the same time that DS goes in by himself.) If it's kinda quiet and not too busy, I would let my DS (7) go by himself, and I've him letting him go more by himself at restuarants ect. if I can see the door and stuff, but at Disney, I think I'd still be having him come in with me for the most part. Good luck to you!

 

[princessmom29]

My sons are 14 and 9...and I'm still uncomfortable about sending them alone.

WOW is all I can say. I teach 14 year olds. They can go potty alone, and their teachers have been sending them alone since K I would wager.

 

[my*2*angels]

My dd is almost 6 and there is NO WAY I would let her go to the bathroom and WDW alone! I don't care what other people say or how they judge me, but if something happened, I would never forgive myself! Better safe than sorry! Doesn't WDW have family bathrooms? Maybe they would be better if you took them in there! Just a thought!

 

[*WeLuvDisney*]

I still get nervous sending my 11 year old alone sometimes!

I have 7 and 5 year old girls and I would not send them in alone!

 

[3boymthr]

I have 3 boys. From 5 on I let all of them go into closed single toilet restrooms by themselves or other really low use restrooms (our McD only has a toilet and a urinal, for example). When DS#1 was 10 I started having him supervise his then 6 yo brother in the men's room at places like Target, BJs, etc. Now he takes both of them. My middle one now goes into the men's room by himself and has for a year or so. If I have to go the youngest (6) still comes into the ladies with me unless his older brothers are there to supervise. He doesn't want to but he does. Over the summer I'll probably start letting him wait by the door as he'll be 7.

 

[mjkacmom]

I still get nervous sending my 11 year old alone sometimes!

I have 7 and 5 year old girls and I would not send them in alone!

I don't think I would want my dd8 in the men's room!

 

[mjkacmom]

My sons are 14 and 9...and I'm still uncomfortable about sending them alone.

But you don't take them into the ladies room, do you?

 

[nessz79]

This is always such a hot topic on the boards. I'm sure the OP had no idea what they were getting into asking this question.

Personally, I have yet to send my DS 6 alone into a large public restroom. However, I almost always have my DH with me to go with him. I let him go alone in single bathrooms or small restrooms in a trusted place, like church (but I wait outside).

 

[tloveswdw]

WOW is all I can say. I teach 14 year olds. They can go potty alone, and their teachers have been sending them alone since K I would wager.

I am in no way thinking sending a child to the bathroom at school, is the same as at WDW or mall...

(being that I taught 7th grade, I too am aware my preschooler uses the restroom alone at a safe preschool).

I am in no way saying WDW is dangerous, but... 5 years old is not that old. My ODS is 7 and would not object, if he knew/knows it is just a safety issue.

There have been incidents of late of people attacking children at libraries, with parents close... (http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_613050.html ) I just don't think being a little 'paranoid' about this is a big deal. We are talking about a couple minute activity, you are not making them hang out there.

 

[trennr]

WOW is all I can say. I teach 14 year olds. They can go potty alone, and their teachers have been sending them alone since K I would wager.

1] Learn to read.
2] Apparently you've never been in a mens public restroom.

 

[trennr]

But you don't take them into the ladies room, do you?

Nope...I'd get arrested.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I would not send 5 year olds alone. In fact my youngest are twin boys are about to turn 8 and I am not ready for them to go alone in big places yet.

 

[tanyaandallie]

WOW is all I can say. I teach 14 year olds. They can go potty alone, and their teachers have been sending them alone since K I would wager.

Um, she didn't say that she still takes her 14 year old to the bathroom. She said it makes her nervous. And you know what, it's ok to be nervous when it comes to your kids.

I agree with pp that aid there is a HUGE difference between a 5 year old kindergartener (like my own) going to the restroom at her kindergarten and my 5 year old going into a busy Disney bathroom alone. 5 is YOUNG. 5 year olds are very young and no matter how much any 5 year old is, they are still just babies!!!

IMO it is perfetly acceptable for a 5 year old boy to go into the ladies restroom. If necessary my 5 year old dd goes to the men's room. Not my first choice simply because the men's room is a whole different enviornment (men peeing in urinals) than the 100% closed door stalls of the ladies room. DH always makes sure dd doesn't get an unwanted peep show when it's necessary for her to go in the men's room.

You will not get one strange look for taking the boys into the ladies room. I'm not sure at what age my kids will go to the bathroom alone. We are not there yet and will deal with it when the time comes. FOrgot to mention, there are some family bathrooms at wdw. They are single stall bathrooms. If the boys are fighting about going to the ladies room, you can alway take them to the family restroom and stand outside the door.

 

[trennr]

Um, she didn't say that she still takes her 14 year old to the bathroom. She said it makes her nervous. And you know what, it's ok to be nervous when it comes to your kids.

Thanks for the defense...but the "she" you refer to is "me" who is a "he".

And your right about the Family Restrooms...pretty handy.

 

[Ashlander]

My ds just turned 7 and I have let him go to the bathroom in certain locations by himself once or twice...I was nervous the entire time. Of course these are the times that he takes an extra long time to wash his hands. Whenever possible I try to do family restrooms, but there are times when he just has to come in with me. I am not sure when the right age is - but I know that I am a little scared about the number of stories I have read or seen on tv where a child has been taken advantage of in the restrooms.

We do not take our daughters into the men's room - they are very curious and would without a doubt try and see what is going on. As a woman I have no problem when I see boys in the bathroom. Atleast we all have a private stall to use...so I do not feel like my privacy is violated.

 

[mjkacmom]

Nope...I'd get arrested.

Okay then - does your DW?