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

[lillygator]

Wow !!! OP do what you want..but I find it funny - if you (collectively you) have problems with people looking at you between cracks maybe you should use the companion restroom....I can't tell you in almost every bathroom in WDW how many young girls poke their head underneath the stall or look in...not seen a boy in all my travels do that (as of yet!)!

 

[mom2riceboys]

My son is 10 years old and there's no way he would go into the ladies' restroom. He has been going into the mens' room alone since he was 8. However, I stand right outside the door. If I think he has been in there too long, I knock on the door and yell for him. He knows that if he doesn't answer me immediately, I am on my way in! My DS5 is already complaining about going in with me, but that's too bad. I think he's still too young to go alone.

 

[square pond]

I have two boys ages 6 and 9. If their father is not available they will be going into the Ladies room with me. NO exceptions!! Just a few years ago at a local Burger King while the Mother waited outside the men's room door an 8 year old boys was molested. The man fondled the boy and exposed himself. When asked why he did not scream he said the man threatened to kill him if he said a word!! I also recall a story of an adult women at one of our local malls that had her Finger chopped off by a thief because she could not remove her diamond. Also not to mention Alexandrea Zapp who was murdered by a Burger King employee when she stopped to use the bathroom!! Restrooms are dangerous places because people are caught with their guard down. Bathrooms have stalls and we are all in there to do the same thing. It is part of being human so my feeling is keep your kids and your self safe. Stay aware when you are in there alone and ALWAYS take your children with you regardless of what other people might think. It won't matter two bits what others think if the unimaginable happens!!

 

[rhiansmom]

Most airports have companion restrooms between the mens and womens rooms... I guess I would try to find one of those before going into the womens room.

 

[Magickndm]

I just love it when a poster asks a question, finds some people disagree, so they get snotty, then "leave".
The OP's original post did not sound like she was asking a "What do you do with a 10 year old when you have to pee" question. It sounded like she was asking if a 10 year old is old enough to go in the men's room alone. 2 totally different scanarios.
Key word here is she asked.
I wouldn't, and don't, have a problem with a kid standing in the entance alcove to a bathroom.
And I do have my very own kid, thank you very much.

 

[Matt'sMom]

I am curious how fathers who are out in public alone with their daughters handle this situation, as it is not appropriate to take young girls into the men's room with them. I would like to know what they do about having to leave their daughters to go use the facilities, and why would the same practice not work for the little boys too?

Excellent point, IMHO. Personally, I wouldn't want my DH to take my 10 year old DD into the Men's room. I don't think DD, DH or the other men would be at all comfortable with that situation.

 

[chrisn]

Let me start by saying I have two children. DD is 18 and DS is 8. I am probably what you would call psycho over-protective. There are perverts EVERYWHERE and the happiest place on earth is no exception. IMHO 10 is too old but if I saw a 10 year old in the ladie's room, it wouldn't bother me as long as he's being respectful. DS just started using the men's bathroom but I also stand outside the door and yell in. I am a nervous freaking wreck the entire time he's in there and the longer I wait, the more anxious and irritated I get. Let me also say I would NOT leave him by himself in the airport while I peed. NO WAY, NO HOW! I would hold it and go on the plane. I also would NOT let him go to the bathroom by himself at WDW or let him sit on a bench outside waiting. DH takes him or if DH weren't there, I'd find the companion bathrooms. I've read terrible things about kids getting assaulted, raped, and killed in bathrooms. Having said this, every child is different in maturity level. My DS is one I would consider a little "young" and I have noticed that his level of modesty has started to change of late so that to me is a clue that yes, it's time but it's hard. So hard to let them go...

 

[DrTomorrow]

Boy, I'm showing my age here, as I wonder how all the men today grew up without making frequent trips to the ladies room....

Although DS is now 25, I'd have to say that 10 years old is way too old to be in a women's restroom. I just checked, and it isn't too odd for a 10YO boy to be beginning puberty and getting quite curious; if I had an 11YO daughter, also in puberty, I don't think I'd want her under the appraising eye of a 10YO boy in the ladies' restroom.

As for the woman who wants restroom attendants: so you want your 10YO boy to be "assisted" by an older man who picked the job of being in the men's room with other men and boys? Hmmm......

For that matter, I've read a lot more articles about females in positions of authority (teachers) abusing their male students - aren't any of you mothers worried about some woman harming your son in the ladies room while you in the stall?

Finally, although as a parent I understand the need to keep one's child/ren safe, IMHO there is a lot more fear out there than is justified - and this fear can manifest in children, causing psychological issues long after outgrowing peeing with Mom in the ladies' room. You can't wrap your child in bubble wrap....

IMHO - YMMV

 

[MrsMud]

I haven't read through this whole thread, just wanted to say I feel for the OP and the dillemma she is going through. I often see women with their young sons having the same dilemma at public restrooms. I have always said at those times that that's one reason I'm glas I have two girls.
However, this statement:

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.

...is incredible naive. Does anyone remember the story a few years ago about a family camping? The young boy had to use the restroom and his Aunt walked him over to the building and waited outside. During her wait, she saw a couple of other boys/ men come in and out but not her nephew. After a few minutes she asked an older man to go in and check on him and, well, suffice it to say he never came out of that bathroom alive. These stories are not common, yet all too common at the same time. I do realize that there has to come an age when a child is given that responsibility and you have to pray for their safety daily. I just wanted to point out that the OP has a legitimate concern, and we should not take it lightly.

 

[Priorityonecb]

My dh would allow our 9 year old to go into the womans room alone...but he always calls in "I'll be right here waiting for you!" as she goes in so anyone who might want to do harm, knows he's there.

He would not however leave her in an airport alone while he went into the restroom. He'd blindfold her and take her with him before he'd leave her out there alone!

 

[Scutapipig]

My son is 10 years, with special needs. If Dad's not around, and there's no companion restroom, and I'm not 100% comfortable with my surroundings, you can bet he will be in the ladies restroom with me (as discretely as possible).

If anyone has a problem with it, then its YOUR problem. My concern is for the safety of my son.

 

[diz_prncez]

I just love it when a poster asks a question, finds some people disagree, so they get snotty, then "leave".
The OP's original post did not sound like she was asking a "What do you do with a 10 year old when you have to pee" question. It sounded like she was asking if a 10 year old is old enough to go in the men's room alone. 2 totally different scanarios.
Key word here is she asked.
I wouldn't, and don't, have a problem with a kid standing in the entance alcove to a bathroom.
And I do have my very own kid, thank you very much.

I agree. That's not very nice. You shouldn't ASK for people's opinions if you don't want to give them the time of day.

 

[square pond]

It seems to me too many people are hung up on this issue. We are ALL just going to the bathroom for petes sake. Everyone does it. It is not sexual or perverted. It's not like taking your 10 year old to your gynecologists exam for goodness sake!!! Although I know several families that have had their children present at a siblings birth. But that's a whole different debate.

 

[rhiansmom]

I think it is beyond going into a stall and going. It's the I spilled on my shirt and now I'm standing here in my bra trying to dry it off or because we are changing our princesses into their costumes and not taking up a stall to do it.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

I have two boys ages 6 and 9. If their father is not available they will be going into the Ladies room with me. NO exceptions!! Just a few years ago at a local Burger King while the Mother waited outside the men's room door an 8 year old boys was molested. The man fondled the boy and exposed himself. When asked why he did not scream he said the man threatened to kill him if he said a word!! I also recall a story of an adult women at one of our local malls that had her Finger chopped off by a thief because she could not remove her diamond. Also not to mention Alexandrea Zapp who was murdered by a Burger King employee when she stopped to use the bathroom!! Restrooms are dangerous places because people are caught with their guard down. Bathrooms have stalls and we are all in there to do the same thing. It is part of being human so my feeling is keep your kids and your self safe. Stay aware when you are in there alone and ALWAYS take your children with you regardless of what other people might think. It won't matter two bits what others think if the unimaginable happens!!

Agreed!!! I became a widow when my son was 3 so this restroom problem while traveling has been a nightmare for years. Until the age of 8, my son came in the restroom with me. He's 11 now & I wait outside the door for him & he outside the door for me. But I worry the entire time - and it's not being over-protective. There have been many instances, as mentioned above, where children have been harmed in restrooms while their parents waited outside. An earlier poster mentioned the boy at the beach who was injured while his mom waited outside the mens room door. His throat was slit - so he couldn't call out & yes, he died. He wasn't a young child either - he was 12 or 13. We try to use a family bathroom wherever possible.

If I see a boy in the ladies room looking uncomfortable I talk to him & tell him not to be embarrassed that I have a son too & his mom is just making sure he's safe. Or I joke & tell him not to worry - we promise not to give him any girl 'cooties'. There were many nice women who did the same for my son. I can't imagine being uncomfortable with a little boy. I'd much rather have that little boy be safe!

Jessica

 

[cocodog]

That's a tough one. My ds is 6, almost 7, and I still take him with me to the ladies' room if my dh is not with us. He doesn't like to go, but knows it's a must. I would listen to your own instincts on this one. There is no 'right' answer.

 

[square pond]

I think it is beyond going into a stall and going. It's the I spilled on my shirt and now I'm standing here in my bra trying to dry it off or because we are changing our princesses into their costumes and not taking up a stall to do it.

Maybe I am just weird but I would be WAY more uncomfortable going into a restroom anywhere and seeing some strange women in her bra than seeing a little boy waiting for his mother. If I have a spill on my shirt that bad at Disney I guess I better buy a new shirt and change in the stall. As for changing a little girl into her dress..I am sure no-one would mind it being done in a stall. Especially since the little girl might feel uncomfortable getting undressed in public.

 

[Fredd's Girl]

Wow !!! OP do what you want..but I find it funny - if you (collectively you) have problems with people looking at you between cracks maybe you should use the companion restroom....I can't tell you in almost every bathroom in WDW how many young girls poke their head underneath the stall or look in...not seen a boy in all my travels do that (as of yet!)!

I'm sure if someone saw a single man or woman come out of a companion bathroom, that would be another whole thread, about "who do we think we are...using bathrooms that are meant for parents and children!!"

Can't win either way...

 

[Magickndm]

I'm sure if someone saw a single man or woman come out of a companion bathroom, that would be another whole thread, about "who do we think we are...using bathrooms that are meant for parents and children!!"

Can't win either way...

Actually, they are really meant for people with a disability that need assistance from a spouse if they are labled "companion". "Family" restrooms would be for parent's with children....but I digress.........

 

[Fredd's Girl]

Actually, they are really meant for people with a disability that need assistance from a spouse if they are labled "companion". "Family" restrooms would be for parent's with children....but I digress.........

You're right. Wrong wording...sorry. But you get the idea.