Inspired by a couple posts...bathroom question

[robinb]

OK....did anyone ever solve the what to do if Dad has to bring a little girl to the bathroom???

A dad responded by saying he sits his DD on a bench near the restrooms.

My DH wanted to take the kids DD9 DD8 and DS6 to the movies to give me a break. But he could not. I trust my girls to go inside to use the bathroom alone However there is no way they could wait outside the mens room while DH or DS used the restroom. What to do?

Well ... I would park your DD's together in the movie theater in their seats with popcorn and a coke and instructions not to move while your DH used the restroom. He would be only gone for a few minutes.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I'm really glad I read this thread (and another one like it), because I've learned some things I didn't know about accessible restrooms, and now I know to be more consciencious about not using the accessible restroom.

I have 2 young daughters, and have often used the accessible stalls in the women's rooms when they have needed my help, or when the diaper changing deck is inside it. It's annoying enough for me, when I needed to change a diaper, to enter a restroom where every stall is empty except the one housing the changing deck, and wait for what is invariably a person with no visible need for that stall; I can't even imagine how frustrating it would be if I had to go badly, and truly had no choice but to use the accessible stall.

That said, though, I still think that it is acceptable for a non-handicapped person to use the accessible stall when all the others are full and no disabled person is waiting to use it. In most public restrooms (where I live), anywhere from 10-50% of the stalls might be accessible, but nowhere near that percentage of customers require them. I don't think we should be required to wait for a regular stall to open up, leaving the accessible one vacant, on the off chance someone might come in who really needs it. As long as people are in and out quickly to minimize the possible wait ('course, that's common courtesy anytime there is a line for the restroom IMO), I don't see the problem.

But anyway, I didn't realize that the "accessible" stalls at WDW really weren't very accessible. So, thanks to those of you who have written about this. I promise I won't use the companion restrooms unless the regular restroom is a long way away, and I don't think my newly-potty-trained 2yo could make it there on time. The rest of us can hold it.

 

[SueM in MN]

OK....did anyone ever solve the what to do if Dad has to bring a little girl to the bathroom???

My DH wanted to take the kids DD9 DD8 and DS6 to the movies to give me a break. But he could not. I trust my girls to go inside to use the bathroom alone However there is no way they could wait outside the mens room while DH or DS used the restroom. What to do?

If alone I do still bring DS into Ladies room but DH can not bring Girls into mens room. Thankfully we will not have that problem in WDW as we will all be there.

I appologize if my opinion offended anyone about the companion restrooms. But if DH was along with the girls he would have to use them as he would have NO other option that could keep my children safe in this world we live in. It is a shame.

I don't know if anyone has thought about this, but it happened to my DH.
He took younger DD into the room labeled Family Restroom at Mall of America because he was alone with her at the mall and so, was the only one who could assist her. She uses a wheelchair and can't use the restroom without an assistant.
When he got out of the restroom, Security was waiting for him. A woman had reported that she saw a man taking a young girl into the Family Restroom. He had to explain to security why he was in there with her and that he was her father (which he had no proof o, although they originally wnated proof).
You might want to explore other options for your 9, 8 and 6 yo DDs. Going into the Companion Restroom with him means they would have to watch him use it (or at least be in the same place while he uses it), since it is just one big room, not a room with a stall. And if they waited outside of the Companion Restroom, that's pretty much the same as waiting outside the men's room.
One option might be to have him use the restroom in or near the Child Care Center and have the girls wait in the waiting room of that area (there are nice comfy chairs and TVs). Depending on your children, kids that age might be very capable of waiting together outside the men's room in a specific spot for their dad (especially since most men take a lot shorter time in the restroom than women do).

 

[kpossible]

I would always do what you think will keep your son safe.

 

[disneyfreak74]

Sorry to tell you, but "cut the cord"! I am a guy and if my nephew has to use the facilities, and I dont...he goes by himself. I just wait outside. I am curious as to how you handle this situation in Malls or any public areas??
Everything will be fine!

DISUNC,

In our area, a SMALL COMMUNITY, there was a RAPE that happened in the MALL PUBLIC restroom!!! My son hates it, he fusses that he does not want to go to the ladies, and our compromise is that if his dad is not where ever we are. IF I LOOK in the MEN'S restroom, and DECIDE that it's ok for him to use it then he has "x" amount of time, better answer if I open the door and call his name if he takes too long OR (and he will tell you this) MOM IS COMING IN!!!!

CHILDREN are your GREATEST ASSET AND INVESTMENT!!!! IT IS TIME THAT EVERYONE TREATED THEM JUST AS THEY WOULD ANY OTHER PRIZED ASSET!!!

Just my 2 cents worth. But heads up men!!! If you hear a lady calling someone's name while you are in the restroom. . . Just smile and take in account the LOVE that it for that LITTLE MAN!!! It might remind you how much YOUR mom LOVES YOU!!!!!!

 

[DISUNC]

OK....did anyone ever solve the what to do if Dad has to bring a little girl to the bathroom???....

My DH wanted to take the kids DD9 DD8 and DS6 to the movies to give me a break. But he could not. I trust my girls to go inside to use the bathroom alone However there is no way they could wait outside the mens room while DH or DS used the restroom. What to do?......

WHY CAN'T THE 9 & 8 YEAR OLD WAIT OUTSIDE THE MENS ROOM????????????????????

 

[Nanajo1]

Please pardon me if I sound naive, but why is there a problem if a father/daughter, mother/son use the companion restrooms if there are no disabled guests there to use them? If a disabled family needs to use it, they get first dibs, but if noone is there, why not share?

This is the reasoning folks use to use to justify parking in a HP parking spot.

 

[RachelEllen]

Ok, first I will put my flame suit on....... To answer your question, no I don't change out by the sinks in a restroom. If I have to change it would be done in a stall. It's not just an 8 yo son that I wouldn't want to look at someone standing in their underwear, but I wouldn't want my daughter or even I wouldn't want to have to see anyone in their underwear. Your still in a public restroom. I guess I'm a little modest.

No flames at all. I remember growing up going to some discount clothing chain, something like burlington coat factory, and they didn't even have doors on the changing stalls. So I guess it's levels of modesty, but considering what guys expose in the restroom, I never felt immodest being in a bra and/or panties. I guess I think of it like a locker room type space. At least I hope it's better than people who change in the handicapped stalls

 

[DISUNC]

DISUNC,

In our area, a SMALL COMMUNITY, there was a RAPE that happened in the MALL PUBLIC restroom!!! My son hates it, he fusses that he does not want to go to the ladies, and our compromise is that if his dad is not where ever we are. IF I LOOK in the MEN'S restroom, and DECIDE that it's ok for him to use it then he has "x" amount of time, better answer if I open the door and call his name if he takes too long OR (and he will tell you this) MOM IS COMING IN!!!!

CHILDREN are your GREATEST ASSET AND INVESTMENT!!!! IT IS TIME THAT EVERYONE TREATED THEM JUST AS THEY WOULD ANY OTHER PRIZED ASSET!!!

Just my 2 cents worth. But heads up men!!! If you hear a lady calling someone's name while you are in the restroom. . . Just smile and take in account the LOVE that it for that LITTLE MAN!!! It might remind you how much YOUR mom LOVES YOU!!!!!!

It makes no difference whether it is a small or large community. Rape is a act of violence that can happen anywhere or anytime. It's a horror and happens all too often. I dont understand what that has to do with your son going to the mens room on his own...when you are right outside the door.
And as far as you ...."I LOOK in the MEN'S restroom"..thats just toooo out there for me!!!!!

How do you all handle your children in schools going to the restrooms?????? ...and don't tell me thats safer than WDW with you outside the door!!!!!

 

[DISUNC]

.....but considering what guys expose in the restroom...

What do you think is going on in men's room????????????????? ESPECIALLY AT WDW!!! I have never seen any man expose himself there or anywhere!!!

 

[eeyore45]

SueM - Just want to thank you for taking the time to educate and share your experiences!! I cant imagine how that must have felt for your dh to be accused like that!!

Whatever choices we make, the bottom line its for our kids, and thier safety, I just hope we take what Sue has said to heart...

Also, when the older boys or girls come into the restroom with parents, I hope they dont look under the stalls!! I know its hard, but that's the only annoying thing for me!! Its also annoying when my dd8 finishes before I do... I'm constantly using the "echo location" DD? what mom... DD?? mom!! she usually stands to the side waiting patiently!! But oh those kids that peek in the cracks between the doors - and then there are... well never mind!!

 

[RachelEllen]

What do you think is going on in men's room????????????????? ESPECIALLY AT WDW!!! I have never seen any man expose himself there or anywhere!!!

Um, urination

I just meant there's a certain standard of acceptable 'exposure' going on in the men's room that wouldn't be acceptable outside it.

Yeesh, now I'm gonna blush.



p.s. I also wasn't talking about parading about the women's room in my skivvies. But I have, especially when staying at Fort Wilderness, finished up and afternoon in the park, gones to the rest room and washed my face, freshened the make-up, and put on some trousers rather than shorts and maybe a blouse rather than a t-shirt.

Editted to add: Oh, lovely, I pass 500 posts and it's about, well, never mind....

 

[puddleduck]

I am probably going to get flamed. I teach children w/ dis. All of my students are in wheelchairs. I am also the mother of 3 young boys. My almost 5 yo can use the bathroom at home by himself, but there is no way on God's green earth that I am sending him into a public bathroom by himself (men or women's). I can hear it now. A 6 yo boy is molested in a bathroom in Orlando. Dozen's of Disboard posters come on the board and say, "Well, what mother sends her 6 yo into a men's room by himself. Anything can happen in a split second, and there that mother goes sending him into a restroom on his own." Now, think about it, you know that would be the reaction. I don't know at what age I would be comfortable, but I think we need to remember that 8 isn't exactly mature. some people are writing like 8yo is some big mature age, when they really aren't. So, when you to a public restroom and see a woman w/ her 3 little (well behaved) boys w/her, it might be me.

Now on to the handicapped stalls. When I use a public restroom and have my 3 boys by myself, I always use the handicapped stall. Why? 1. I need to use a stall that all 4 of us can fit into. That is almost always the handicapped stall. 2. I need to be able to see my kids at all times when out in public. That's just how I am. Kid's can see something shiny and in a split second you've lost them. 3. When in a public restroom, the only way I can make sure my boys are behaving is to have them right there with me. Seeing that I don't think anyone would appreciate me using the bathroom w/ the stall door open so I could see my kids, I corral all us into a handicapped stall.

I don't see anything wrong w/ using the handicapped stall. People have to wait to use the bathroom sometimes. That's life. At school, I have to take a few a my kids to the restroom. The only one big enough is the one handicapped stall. Sometimes, the bathrooms are full and there may be a teacher in the stall or even another child w/ a handicap (my school has several classes for hand. children). I don't mind the teachers using the stall, the lounge is 2 buildings over and you don't have time to wait for the reg stall or run to another building. Of course other children will need to use it also. So, we wait. Just like anyone else has to. And to me there is a big difference in using a hand. bathroom stall and using a hand. parking space. Most people don't take more than a few min. to use the bathroom.

 

[Disneymommie]

(Sorry I am tec. challened and do not know how to qoute.

SueM: I can not believe someone would call security on your DH. That is uncalled for. Although I can see it in our society. Just out of curiosity how can you prove it is your child? I do not carry Birth cert. Lots of pics but no real proof! You are right about the bathroom they would se him using the restroom, or they could turn their backs while he does his buisness, but it will not matter it will be a none issue when we doto Disney as we are all going.

DISUNC: Because it is my job as a parent to protect my children from those who want to harm them. 2 little girls outside a public restroom can be gone in less time then it takes my DH to do what he needs to do. There are to many cases wheer a person just left for a minute and the child was snatched.

So I do not get a break. I go with them and we act as a family. My kids protection is a worth not getting some alone time. I am sorry if you do not agree but oh well my kids are safe.

PARDON THE TYPOS....I Am a well educated bad speller!

 

[Nanajo1]

And to me there is a big difference in using a hand. bathroom stall and using a hand. parking space. Most people don't take more than a few min. to use the bathroom.

Again the reasoning to justify using a HP parking space.
There are not other stalls I can wait for to use. Able bodied teachers or others have more options.
Do what you have to to keep your children safe,but please don't teach them that a HP stall is there for non disabled convenience.
BTW why don't the teachers have a more available rest room than two bulidings away? IMO that is a disgrace.

 

[puddleduck]

Again the reasoning to justify using a HP parking space.
There are not other stalls I can wait for to use. Able bodied teachers or others have more options.
Do what you have to to keep your children safe,but please don't teach them that a HP stall is there for non disabled convenience.
BTW why don't the teachers have a more available rest room than two bulidings away? IMO that is a disgrace.

well, lawmakers around the country are cutting school budgets. Taxpayers don't want to pay more money. the lounge in that building was turned into the nurses room. We only have a nurse 2 1/2 days a week. When she is out of her office or not there that day, the door is locked due to meds and such in the office. Schools have to make due. We are talking about a bathroom stall. there is a big difference in waiting a few minutes for a stall and non hand. people using hand. parking spaces. That is not right, but I mean a bathroom stall?

What do you suggest I do w/ my kids while in the bathroom. If I leave them in the middle of the bathroom, being little boys they will either cause problems, wander off or snatched away. I don't think I am using it for convience, I really don't see another choice. I don't use the handicapped stall when by myself, there have been very few times that the restroom was that full.

 

[puddleduck]

Handicapped stalls are made to accomadate people w/ handicaps, but not neccasarily for that use only. Just like there are hotel rooms in WDW resorts that can accomadate people w/ handicaps, but Disney gives them to non-hand. people all the time, when there is not a person w/ a hand. that has requested one.

 

[SueM in MN]

Again,
I'd ask that people be considerate and ask themselves whether it is a choice for them to use the Companion Restroom/Handicapped Stall or a necessity. If it's a choice, please remember that there are other people who don't have a choice - that is the only restroom they can use.

If you make a choice to use that stall/bathroom, please do what is necessary to do in there and then vacate it for the next person as quickly as you can.

We have already walked into bathrooms at AK and the DD World of Disney store to find the only stall occupied in the whole bathroom was the handicapped stall (the nice big ones that have a sink in them). In each case, there was a mom with several kids.
I'm not going to complain about someone using it; maybe they decided it was the stall that best met their needs, but in both cases, we made our presence known and they took their time coming out........
I don't mean just all using the toilet. At AK, they all washed their hands (which they could have done at the sinks outside the stall) and all put on more sunscreen, then washed hands again. At the DD restroom, they all washed their hands, then combed their hair.....
It's not like they thought they were alone in the restroom; you could hear the echo of the door opening and closing while we came into the room, DD's wheelchair tires squeaked on the floor, after a few minutes I commented to DD that we would just have to wait until the people were done using the handicapped stall. At AK, someone else even came in and asked if we needed help - she offered to "watch" DD for me, so I could go to the bathroom. I thanked her and explained DD needed to go and the only stall large enough to get her wheelchair in was occupied.......

So.......
if you have other options available, please at least consider them.
If you choose to use the handicapped stall or Companion-Assist restroom, please only do what is essential in there and vacate it ASAP.
I apologize in advance for anyone who has to wait for us because I am in there with DD. She is not fast, gets upset and tight if the self-flush toilet flushes or someone knocks on the door. (Other people with visible disabilities have never knocked, but we frequently get knocks and are asked by moms with kids if we will be done soon - when I say we will be a while yet, they almost always make another choice).
Since I have to transfer DD in and out of her wheelchair, help her with her clothes, wait for her to relax it is going to take us a while once we get in.

 

[RedRuby]

If it were me, I would bring DS into the ladies room w/ me! Honestly, what is he going to SEE? Women washing their hands, brushing their hair, and putting on lipstick? And maybe a tampon machine? I could think of a lot worse things he would see--for peace of mind, bring him w/ you.

On the other side of this topic--there are ALOT of things a little girl would see using a men's room w/ their daddy's! That may be a little shocking for a girl!

have a great visit!

el

Um, what might be shocking -- seeing men peeing? My girls have seen their dad pee, they know that men/boys pee standing up, and that the pee comes out of their *****.

Unless there's something illicit going on in men's bathrooms out in the open (not behind the doors of a stall) -- and DH wouldn't know that 'til he went in there with them anyway -- I have no problem with my 2yo DDs going into a men's washroom with their dad.

First of all, he's a SAHparent and goes out alone with them frequently, so if they need a diaper change and there's no family washroom, he takes them into the men's washroom and hopes for a change table. If not, he improvises.

Second, even when I'm with them, he'll take one girl at a time for a change -- or to "sit on the potty" as we're entering toilet training -- and I'll stay with the other girl. I have an injury to both hands, so it makes MUCH more sense for the heathier adult to be doing the diaper changes! If only the women's washroom has a change table and DH can't find a suitable arrangement in the men's, *then* I'll take one at a time.

I'd also take my nephew into the women's washroom without a problem though I KNOW he'd think he's old enough for the men's. At 4-going-on-5, he insists he's "a man!"

 

[brettb]

Well, I'm certainly more enlightened about what sort of facilities Disney makes available for disabled guests! It seems to me that putting the wheelchair logo back on the companion/companion-assist rest rooms might be a good idea. Is making them more welcoming to disabled guests who don't use wheelchairs really more important than maximizing their availablity for those who need them? (Regardless of whether they use a chair....) Were the "handicap police" giving grief to guests with non-obvious disablities when the facilities were labelled with the wheelchair logo?

It also strikes me that there is indeed a real need for an additional type of facility and that's something that can accomodate dads and daughters. I think that one-holers *with* a stall would solve that as well as some of the other situations. Dad (or Mom) can go in the stall while the child waits in the sink area or vice versa.

I'm telling ya, the bushes are looking better and better!

Brett