restroom question

[CoffeeCup]

OP, he is YOUR first grader so YOU get to decide. Don't worry about this argument, it happens over and over and over on these boards. Have a happy trip!

I agree that the first grade boy is the OP's child and that she has the right to make decisions for what she thinks she needs to do to protect him, but why do her wishes and rights trump the wishes and rights of the rest of us? Why are we supposed to be happy with a unisex restroom, at the expense of the modesty and feelings of little girls, so the OP can usurp our rights for her preference? I'm a 64 year-old woman, and I really don't care if a 7 year-old boy is in the restroom with me. If I were a young girl or the mother of a young girl, I would care. I'm still waiting to read the cutoff age for bringing boys into the laidies' room. If a paranoid mother of a 15 year-old makes the decision that she wants to protect her son by bringing him into the ladies' room, is that okay? I recently was in a ladies' room while on vacation, but not at DW. When I came out of my stall, there was a boy taller than I am standing in the middle of the room. He was at least 14-15 years old, and I admit that I did a double take. He probably was a special needs child, but I didn't see a mother or anyone with him. Imagine a young girl walking out of a stall and seeing him standing there. For all I know, he could have been a sexual deviant waiting to molest little girls or adult women, for that matter. Since the restroom was full of people, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to molest anyone, if that were his intention, but maybe he just enjoys seeing girls in the restroom. He should not have been there regardless of the reason or the fact that it was his mother's decision, I assume. I've been in unisex restrooms in Europe, and I don't have a problem with them, but I don't expect to see males over the age of 3-4 in the ladies' room. The only rationale I can find in this argument is the mothers of boys are entitled to do as they wish and don't need to respect the rights of anyone but theirselves and their families. Sounds like sexual discrimination to me, and that's illegal.

 

[Planogirl]

I feel sorry for a boy that has to stand in front of a stall door for 30 minutes several times a day. I feel for you OP, this is a difficult situation.

 

[Tinkh]

If the bathroom were a huge issue and I could not keep my child "safe" due to a health issue then I would probably not split up from my husband to alternate resting afternoons. I would insist we all stay together and rest together or park together. The original post explained that the OP was only going to be alone during the time they split up for rests. I say stay together if you are seriously going to be in the bathroom for long, extended periods of time while expecting a child that is described as one that will drift off by himself if left unattended. If I were that uncomfortable with his ability to not drift off, I would most certainly make him go in the stall with me, but in this scenario I truly think that the best for all involved will be sticking together as a family. I would probably not have responded to this kind of thread usually; however, the question has been asked and then re-asked with stipulations included. Once the OP went into details, I felt compelled to give what I really think of it.

 

[princessmom29]

If the bathroom were a huge issue and I could not keep my child "safe" due to a health issue then I would probably not split up from my husband to alternate resting afternoons. I would insist we all stay together and rest together or park together. The original post explained that the OP was only going to be alone during the time they split up for rests. I say stay together if you are seriously going to be in the bathroom for long, extended periods of time while expecting a child that is described as one that will drift off by himself if left unattended. If I were that uncomfortable with his ability to not drift off, I would most certainly make him go in the stall with me, but in this scenario I truly think that the best for all involved will be sticking together as a family. I would probably not have responded to this kind of thread usually; however, the question has been asked and then re-asked with stipulations included. Once the OP went into details, I felt compelled to give what I really think of it.

Exactly. Just don't split up. Problem solved.

 

[okeydokey]

I agree that the first grade boy is the OP's child and that she has the right to make decisions for what she thinks she needs to do to protect him, but why do her wishes and rights trump the wishes and rights of the rest of us? Why are we supposed to be happy with a unisex restroom, at the expense of the modesty and feelings of little girls, so the OP can usurp our rights for her preference? I'm a 64 year-old woman, and I really don't care if a 7 year-old boy is in the restroom with me. If I were a young girl or the mother of a young girl, I would care. I'm still waiting to read the cutoff age for bringing boys into the laidies' room. If a paranoid mother of a 15 year-old makes the decision that she wants to protect her son by bringing him into the ladies' room, is that okay? I recently was in a ladies' room while on vacation, but not at DW. When I came out of my stall, there was a boy taller than I am standing in the middle of the room. He was at least 14-15 years old, and I admit that I did a double take. He probably was a special needs child, but I didn't see a mother or anyone with him. Imagine a young girl walking out of a stall and seeing him standing there. For all I know, he could have been a sexual deviant waiting to molest little girls or adult women, for that matter. Since the restroom was full of people, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to molest anyone, if that were his intention, but maybe he just enjoys seeing girls in the restroom. He should not have been there regardless of the reason or the fact that it was his mother's decision, I assume. I've been in unisex restrooms in Europe, and I don't have a problem with them, but I don't expect to see males over the age of 3-4 in the ladies' room. The only rationale I can find in this argument is the mothers of boys are entitled to do as they wish and don't need to respect the rights of anyone but theirselves and their families. Sounds like sexual discrimination to me, and that's illegal.

This story has nothing to do with the OPs question about her first grader.

Since you don't expect to see boys older than 4 in the ladies room what do you propose we do. Should we give a ticket to all Moms with 5 year olds in the ladies room? Maybe sirens should sound when they walk in the door? What is your solution? I don't think your saying you disagree with a boy older than 4 being in the room will change anything.

That's why I don't understand why we have this same argument over and over.

 

[mrsr2ro]

I've read this thread on and off all day and don't think there has been a general consensus on what the cut off age is.... I'm going to be facing this soon and honestly wonder. I'm not sure what I think. My husband has a saying that the "age of reason" for kids is age 7 - as in that is the age they truly know the difference between right and wrong, can be given more responsibility, etc.

For those of you saying 6yo can be left along outside the women's rest room -- what is the age you think is too young? 3, 4, 5? I'm not referring to OP - I'm saying if Mom has to run in and go quickly, at what age can she leave her son alone outside?

 

[CoffeeCup]

This story has nothing to do with the OPs question about her first grader.

Since you don't expect to see boys older than 4 in the ladies room what do you propose we do. Should we give a ticket to all Moms with 5 year olds in the ladies room? Maybe sirens should sound when they walk in the door? What is your solution? I don't think your saying you disagree with a boy older than 4 being in the room will change anything.

That's why I don't understand why we have this same argument over and over.

Since you believe the mom gets to decide if she can take her son into the ladies' room, it doesn't matter to you what I think. My question is what is the cut-off age? If mom gets to decide, what about the mom who wants to bring her much older son into the ladies' room with her? If your solution is to let every mom make the decision with no regard for the comfort or modesty of anyone else, including little girls, then moms with sons are entitled to make decisions for their son while moms with girls don't have the privilege of making the decision to take their child to a restroom populated only by females.

 

[cm8]

There are no more than six companion restrooms at each park; they are not family restrooms. They are intended for use by people who need assistance in transferring from a wheelchair to/from the toilet. And for these people they are the only toilets accessible to them.

And also be aware that if you are waiting to use one it will take the people inside much longer than normal because fo the transferring as well as other potential special needs. So if waiting to use one do not bang on the door, that is rude and crude.

 

[TLinden16]

I think this thread has run it's course, so I'm going to close this one now.