Should I take my 10 yr old son in the ladies restroom?

[minnieandmickeymouse]

I am going to be traveling to WDW with my 10 year old son. Should I let him use the mens restroom? Or take him in the ladies room with me? I am asking this questions about not just in disney, but also at the airport.

Thanks

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

I don't have any sons, but if I did I would take him with me. I wouldn't think anything of walking into a restroom and seeing a 10 y/o boy in there. I know they do have companion bathrooms at Disney, but if you're not near one, or at places that don't have one I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[flipfloppershopper]

If you do not feel comfortable with sending him to the mens bathroom, you should take your 10 year old to the womens. For me, it depends on where we are. I do not feel uncomfortable taking my 9 year old in the womens because there are always doors for privacy. He can't see anything. I always appeciate places that have family bathrooms. Hope this helps.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

No problem here.

Definately taking my 9yr nephew with me to ladies room. And keeping him near me.

mky

 

[magicaldisney]

I do have sons and my youngest is now 8. For about 2 years now he has been using the men's restroom. I stand right outside so I see him go in and know exactly when he is coming out. Each person has their own opinion on the subject......mine.........I think 10 is too old to be in the women's restroom, but that's just my opinion.

 

[HMeyers]

I would also like to know how people feel about this. It's something that I've been thinking about for our next trip. My DS is 9 and I just started letting him go in the men's room by himself in stores and restraunts BUT.... Disney????

 

[pixiepower1971]

I don't have boys but I have 2 girls. The oldest is almost 10. We were at SeaWorld the other day and as we walked out she asked why boys obviously her age were in there. I explained to her that their moms were not comfortable letting them go in to the mens room themselves. She then asked why she can go in the ladies room by herself when she is with her dad . He just waits right outside the door. She knows one yell and he would be in there.

She felt bad for those boys and said she can't imagine how embarressed they must be.

As a mom I understand bringing little ones in but once they get to this age they really need to go in a family restroom or the mens room. I asked my Dh that day at Seaworld and he agreed that a boy our daughters age should be allowed to go in by himself. Just wait outside the door. If he takes to long, yell for him...if he doesn't answewr...go in.

I iknow there are others that will disagree with me. I feel the most important is what is your som comfortable with? How would he feel if he was in the ladies room and encountered a girl he knows?

 

[webray]

I think 10 is much to old to still be going into the ladies restroom.

You can stand right outside the door of the mens restroom and wait for him. I would think he would be embarrassed to have to use the ladies.

 

[Goin2Disney2006]

in my opinion he is too old. My sister in law waits outside the mens room for my 11 year old nephew.

 

[HdnMickeyGrl]

I agree with the previous poster. I think 10 might be a little too old but then again it depends on what your son is comfortable with. You might ask him if he thinks he will be OK going to the restroom alone. He will probably answer yes.

If women had open stalls equivalent to men's wall 'o' urinals I think we would all agree it might be a little inappropriate. But just because the stalls close doesn't mean that girls and women will be fully covered. Just last year I went into a women's bathroom and there was a woman washing her shirt in the sink, I can't remember what she had gotten on it. If that had been me I wouldn't be mad at you for bringing a little boy in the bathroom but I can bet that your little boy would be embarrassed about seeing a strange lady in a bra.

Besides men are designed to "go" fast. So let him go in and have him yell if he needs you. Tell him what is appropriate and not appropriate for others to be doing but don't scare him: "This is a bathroom and everyone should keep to themselve." Also, if you see a dad/grandad/uncle going in with a little boy at the same time, ask if they could keep an eye on your son. I know my DH would be happy to do this for someone's little boy especially if it will relieve your stress.

If letting him go alone is going to add stress to your vacation then don't do it but also consider the stress/embarrassment it might put on your little boy who's reaching the age where girls might not have cooties anymore.

 

[rhiansmom]

My boyfriends son is six and I won't take him into the womens restroom as I think he is too old. I wait right outside the door. I know if I was using the restroom and saw a 10 year old in there I would be uncomfortable.

 

[samc]

My son is 7 and although there are times/places when I have allowed him to go to the men's room alone.......disney world and especially the airport are NOT those places......there's just too many people and too many oportunities for danger.......it's all about safety.

 

[Matt'sMom]

My DS is 10 years old, and he would be sooo embarrased if I actually suggested that he come into a Women's bathroom with me. He's been using the Men's room for numerous years now--I just wait outside the door for him, if necessary.

Personally, I think 10 years is a bit old for a typical boy to still be using the Ladies' room (unless they have special needs, there is a reason for them to require adult assistance/close supervision, and no other reasonable option is available--there are always exceptional situations). I am all for taking younger children into a restroom with you (regardless of gender)... but there comes a point when children should be allowed to begin to use the appropriate facilities.

At Disney, and a growing number of other locations too, they do now have 'family/companion' restrooms for those who want or need that option. And if you are really nervous about allowing your 'tween-age' child to use the gender appropriate restroom on their own.. consider the options of giving them a cell phone or radio (which they can use to contact you) &/or teach them to yell and run away if anyone approaches them in an obviously inappropriate manner. If it buys you peace of mind, any slight inconvenience may be worth it.

 

[minnieandmickeymouse]

I think I feel comfortable enough at Disney to let him use the mens room , but I am really not comfortable letting him out of my site at the airports. So at the airport he will have to go in with me, like it or not.

 

[Yookeroo]

Why can't a 10-year-old go to the restroom by himself? What opportunities for danger are there in an airport or Disney bathroom? Has there been an epidemic of bathroom crimes that I've missed? In Disney World? Seems way overprotective to me.

 

[EjandMD]

I think it's creepy...but that's just me, and then the boys stare...while you're washing your hands and stuff. I took my 8 year old, nephew to WDW and waited outside the door.

 

[MommyPoppins]

Just let him whip it out and pee in the bushes.





































I'm KIDDING! Really, I am...

I wouldn't be offended to see a mom bring her 10 year old into the bathroom. I have 4 boys myself, my oldest is only 5, and I don't know what we'll do when the time comes..but usually my DH is with us, so it won't matter. I agree with previous posters saying he might be embarrassed to be in there, but if your concerned for his safety thats all that matters. Not what other people think, not even what he thinks. Your his parent, and you make the important decisions. Do what you feel comfortable with. Some people are going to have a problem with it, but who cares. You won't ever see them again. Last month when we went there were 2 older boys in the ladies room. They were standing off to the side waiting for the mom. They were extremely polite, not standing in front of stalls trying to catch a peak. They were off near the baby changing table, in my way, which is why I mentioned them being polite. They moved all their things out of the way and were very sweet. I never have a problem with boys being there, in fact the many times woman are changing/standing their half naked(usually drying their clothes) makes me more uncomfortable.

 

[Hannathy]

10 is much too old to go in a Ladies room!! He is old enough to go alone with you outside the door. I agree the previous posters daughter I think he would be very embarrassed and think about how the 10 yr old girls who are in there will feel - I think they would be very embarrassed as well and they belong in there. I as an adult would not be very happy to have a boy that old standing there staring as I tried to do private things. At our Y they won't even let you bring a 6 yr old boy into the ladies lockers they have a few family rooms but over 8 they have to go into the boys locker room. My son is 7 and I feel he is just about too old to go in with me. At Disney in August I will let him use the mens room and wait outside, Disney is very safe, we are becoming way too paranoid without the statistics to back it up.

 

[jbdreamer]

My little brother is 12. He has been going to the bathroom by himself for years! At least since he was 6 or 7. There is no way we would have even been able to get him into the women's restroom, he's very independent.

I think a 10 year old should be responsible enough to go on his own. If you are worried for his safety, then wait for him outside the entrance. Honestly I don't think a child has ever been kidnaped from a bathroom in WDW. I think you are worrying WAY too much. Give you son some independence.

 

[disneyfanforever]

My DS turns 9 on Monday, and he would absolutely be humiliated to go into the Women's bathroom with me. I always stand right outside the door and wait for him. I have told him a million times to never talk to a stranger and yell if you need me.