how old to use bathrooms alone?

[mrstxcop]

i don't know how we are going to handle this since our son is only 2.5 right now ... i get really nervous just thinking about sending him into a men's room by himself when he gets older ... honestly, i don't see what the big deal is taking a 7yr old boy into the women's room --- they have doors on all the stalls, he's not going to be seeing anything ...

as my siggie lets on i am married to a police officer --- he is Park Police Officer and he worked on the undercover unit for 3years --- they would hit random parks throughout the city with hidden cameras in fanny packs or in drinking cups --- i cannot express enough the sickness that goes on in men's rooms ... i have seen the hidden camera footage that dh has brought home...

men who you would never think would ever do such a thing ... these men are hitting on other men ... dh also has footage where he is walking in and men are hitting on young boys --- it made me sick to my stomach to watch ...

dh has arrested many prominent men --- doctors, lawyers, judges, high ranking military, teachers, coaches ...

now i am not saying that only men are predators, i am aware that there are many women predators out there as well ... i am only speaking of the experiences dh has had and those experiences are enough to make me believe that when my son is 6 or 7 or even 8, depending on the circumstances, he just may be going into the women's restroom with me...

 

[SueM in MN]

No I won't send my ds (5) into a restroom alone at WDW but that is me. On our last trip, I've been fortunate that dh was able to always take him into the mens room with him but I would have had no qualms about taking him into a ladies room with me if needed. I also agree with other posters that say a restroom at WDW is a lot different than sending them alone at school, which is a much more controlled environment. It is clearly just not the same thing.

In addition to what has already been said, the WDW restrooms often have two entrances so you could be "guarding" one entrance while your dc walks out the other. There is a little too much to leave up to chance IMO.

No one will look at you askance for bringing a 5yr old boy into the ladies room, but if you must, use the companion restrooms. Just keep in mind there are only a handful of these restrooms throughout the parks and they are designed for people with disabilities (ie raised toilets), that require assistance from another adult (sometimes of the opposite gender). Just something to be aware of if you're using one and someone knocks on the door. They may have an urgent need and not be able to use the regular HC stalls for a variety of reasons. (Just FYI)

Thank you for posting this.
There are only between 4 and 6 Companion Restrooms in each park. For some people with disabilities, those are the only 4-6 toilets that they can use (not 4-6 bathrooms with many toilets in each bathroom). They may have actually passed a number of bathrooms that they were not able to use to get to the one in that area that is accessible to them.
There are really not enough of them to use as Family Restrooms. As was already mentioned, they are listed only in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities.

 

[trustknoone]

Ok my DD is 10 and goes in with me, so I asked DH how old was too old for the mens room and when he felt ok letting her go to ladies room alone. He said 6.

As far as WDW DH and DD could give a bathroom tour, they know where they all are. According to them most only have one way in or out and they avoid the ones that have multiple doors. Here at home it's the same, he will stand outside and wait but she only gets to go if there is only one way in or out and he's not shy about asking random mommies to call her name and see if she is ok. The only time he says she has to go with him is Rest Areas and late at night.

mrstxcop is right, rest areas being scary places. We have stopped at some that even we as adults are hesitant go in to , there's this bad vibe you get from some of them.

 

[iradi8]

I don't see what the big deal is with bringing a boy into the ladie's room. I mean, there is nothing going on outside of the stalls that the child can see. Everything is behind closed doors. My ds is 9y.o. (and he has always looked 2 yrs. older) and I am just now letting him go into the men's room alone but I am not comfortable with it. Depending on the circumstances he will come with me into the ladies room. It's not like he will see anything... Better safe than sorry.

 

[maxiesmom]

i don't know how we are going to handle this since our son is only 2.5 right now ... i get really nervous just thinking about sending him into a men's room by himself when he gets older ... honestly, i don't see what the big deal is taking a 7yr old boy into the women's room --- they have doors on all the stalls, he's not going to be seeing anything ...

In most restrooms the doors are not well made, anyone who cares to look into the stall can see quite a lot. That is why I have this philosophy--Bring your child into the restroom with you, but make sure they know not too look. And if they do peep, there will be consequences. If they go into a stall by themselves have them wait until you are done before leaving the stall. Or have them stand outside of your stall with their shoes underneath the door so they can't possibly see anything.

I get that you want to keep your kid safe. But that doesn't mean everyone else has to throw their modesty out the window. Keep your child with you, or make sure they know how to behave when in the restroom.

 

[crisi]

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?).

I'm the opposite. I figure that at a busy family place like Disney, restrooms contain a LOT of witnesses, most of whom are parents themselves. So a bathroom at Disney is a pretty safe place. At a rest stop, I stand outside the bathroom while my ten year old goes into the mens room and would have taken him into the women's room with me for much longer.

Some of this depends on the kid - a kid who persists in peeking under doors needs to be gotten OUT of the women's room as soon as possible. A special needs kid might need to be accompanied a lot longer - but that is one of the reasons family restrooms are available - although you might need to go out of the way for them.

 

[LisaNJ25]

For me 6-7.

For those of you who take older boys into the ladies room.. Do your husbands take older girls into the mens room?

 

[cathyce2]

I thought of this thread over the weekend when DH and I went to an upscale chain restaurant for dinner.

I was in the ladies room which had several stalls. A mother came in with her son who I guess was 7 or 8. Someone went into the stall closest to the entrance and slammed the stall door. This made the next stall door pop open. I'm guessing the locks didn't line up exactly right. Anyway, there was a teenage girl in that stall taking care of her "special visitor" to put it delicately. The boy gasped, the girl screamed and I was embarrassed for both of them. She left the restaurant in tears and I'm sure the boys mother had some questions to answer.

My point is, don't assume that just because there are stalls in the ladies room that your sons won't get an eye full!

 

[WantToGoNow]

For me 6-7.

For those of you who take older boys into the ladies room.. Do your husbands take older girls into the mens room?

I don't force my son into the ladies room with me (he's 7 will be 8 in May), but my dh stopped allowing dd5 into the men's room with him a year ago. He said she was starting to ask questions and trying to take a look. He also commented that he himself would be uncomfortable with a girl of any age other than maybe a toddler (age 1-2) in the restroom while he was going.

Two years ago, I took my ds into the ladies room at a local amusement park - he had just turned 6. The restroom was located in the kids area of the park. When we went in, there was a woman changing her two daughters into clothes from their swimsuits - not in a stall, in the area in front of the stalls. She was very upset with me for having a boy in there, the girls were very embarassed (they were his age or a bit older) and my son was mortified. I have never again made him go into a women's restroom out of respect for him and anyone that might be in there.

 

[jen-y]

Do they have those "family bathrooms" at Disney? I will be going there soon with my 3 year old son, who is in the process of potty training, but is still in pull ups more often than not. How are their changing areas?

 

[livndisney]

Do they have those "family bathrooms" at Disney? I will be going there soon with my 3 year old son, who is in the process of potty training, but is still in pull ups more often than not. How are their changing areas?

No, WDW does not have Family restrooms. The do have Babycare Centers that are wonderful!!!! They have a room of changing tables. The Babycare center at MK has a "unisex" restoom. The Babycare center at AK is AWESOME!!! And has a great playroom LOL.

 

[riley2008]

I have to start this reply by admitting that I have not read further than the first post.

I too have twin 5yo boys. I do let them go to the bathroom together in public places. Although, I have found that it may actually take longer, because they tend to play. Recently, I'll let one go in and then send in the other to check and hurry his brother. It's been working better. (The whole time I'm hovering just outside.)

I'm more worried about my boys playing and getting silly, than anything "happening" to them at WDW in the men's restroom.

Also, it would not be uncommon to take your DSs to the woman's restroom. That's what we did last year. Don't worry about it, unless DSs are.

There are also family bathrooms that we found last year that were great! (and they were "family restrooms" in AK near the triceratops ride.)

 

[livndisney]

I have to start this reply by admitting that I have not read further than the first post.

I too have twin 5yo boys. I do let them go to the bathroom together in public places. Although, I have found that it may actually take longer, because they tend to play. Recently, I'll let one go in and then send in the other to check and hurry his brother. It's been working better. (The whole time I'm hovering just outside.)

I'm more worried about my boys playing and getting silly, than anything "happening" to them at WDW in the men's restroom.

Also, it would not be uncommon to take your DSs to the woman's restroom. That's what we did last year. Don't worry about it, unless DSs are.

There are also family bathrooms that we found last year that were great! (and they were "family restrooms" in AK near the triceratops ride.)

That is not a family restroom. It is a companion restroom as listed in the Disney Guide for Disabilities. Those restrooms are very limited (4-6 a park) and often the only toilets a disabled person can use.